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Chapter Text

Percy tapped his foot nervously as his father stared at him. It was never a great sign when his dad needed to speak with him. Percy was not, by any means, an important part of the Spanish monarchy: fourth son of the king's brother. He was basically a socialite with a funny social media presence, handsome face, and a memorable ocean-themed back tattoo.

His father continued to stare at him, and Percy was sure the strength of his gaze was only making his hangover worse. Annabeth had dared him to steal a bottle of scotch from the event's bar last night, and he'd stolen an even fancier one on principle. When they woke up, too much of it was gone.

"Did you," his father finally said, "have sex with the heir to the Swedish throne last night?"

Percy laughed. "What? No, of course not."

Oh he had, he so had. Scotch or not, he couldn't forget that. His clothes still smelled like her. He’d only just gotten back to his family’s private home in Paris half an hour ago. She’d pushed him out the door with a coy smile, insisting she had important things to do. 

“Like what Princess?” Percy asked, straightening his rumpled shirt from the night before. “Sit around and wait for your dad to die?” 

She grabbed him by his collar. “My father is going to live forever, and if you ever suggest differently again, I’ll have you drawn and quartered.” Then she kissed him again, groped him for good measure, and pushed him out the door. 

His dad didn't need to know that though. 

Whatever someone thought they saw, or whatever hotel room they thought he went into last night, they could just deny. Who gave a shit about the Spanish or Swedish monarchies anyway? Percy was barely even a Spanish citizen. He'd gone to Yale for fucks sake. He was living full-time in a loft in New York.

"I'll ask again," his dad said, turning his computer around so the screen faced Percy. "Did you have sex with Annabeth Chase, against a window in a Paris hotel room last night?"

The Sun had posted two large, but blurry photos of two people pressed against a window. In the first one, all you could see was a man’s bare back pressed against a window, with some hands on his shoulders, and some blonde curls poking out from the side of his face. In the second one, though, the woman’s face was visible, but blurry. More condemning, her neck and collarbone were decked out in famous Swedish jewels. Her gown was still on, preserving her modesty, even if the man’s back was completely on display. 

It was the first time Percy regretted his back tattoos. And those were certainly some famous heirloom jewels from Sweden. And that was certainly Annabeth's gorgeous, gorgeous face, blurry as it was.

Percy sunk down in the chair. His phone started to buzz.

Annabeth

"I'll assume that's the princess," his father said. "We'll talk later about how we're going to clean up this mess."

~

They'd seen each other at some fancy event at the Louvre last night. With her blonde curls pinned in an elaborate up-do, the back of Annabeth’s neck was exposed.

Percy had mostly been raised in New York by his mother. She had been his father’s second wife, and lasted all of three years in royal life, before leaving him. That had never left Percy on good terms with his family. But his father kept him supported. When Percy grew up to be handsome, witty, and generally more fun to be around than his brothers, the Spanish Royal Family started sending him to things again. He was good PR. 

He’d met Luke in New York, and the man was mostly an older brother to Percy, and occasionally a sexual awakening. Luke was polite enough to ignore Percy’s crush while he taught him a thing or two about the thrills of stealing. Luke was American old money, probably a Kennedy somewhere down the line, and he'd taught him how to oh so carefully --

Percy slipped the clasp on Annabeth's necklace.

"Oh!" She gasped, reaching for her neck, but missing it before it fell. Percy swooped around and caught it before the jewels hit the ground.

"You dropped this," he said. 

Annabeth didn't look entertained. She was giving him the I'm so scary look. But after four years on rival mock trial teams (Yale won Nationals almost every year, fuck you Harvard), he was used to it.

"May I?" He offered, holding it up for her.

"You may not," she said, handing him her Champagne flute, before taking her necklace back and re-clasping it herself.

"Be careful with that, smart ass," he said, "you know what they do to monarchs in France."

She took her glass back, and her face softened. "It's good to see you again, Percy. Are you still in New York?"

"Most of the time," he said. If he recalled, she’d been spending a lot of time state-side too, until recently. "I see you've been busy entertaining men in Sweden. Looking for a royal husband?"

"Why? Do you want your name added to my list?" She asked, stepping closer to him. "I'm allowed to marry non-Royals now. My dad changed the rules."

"I'm in the line of succession," Percy protested. 

"Barely," she pushed back.

"Well, I'm sorry I'm not a cousin or uncle or something," Percy said.

"Inbreeding jokes from someone in the Spanish royal family?" She asked. Percy tried not to let her know he'd been trumped. He’d made a dumb move, and Annabeth took the upper hand. She ran a hand over his jaw. "You do have a strong chin. How much Hapsburg is left in your line?"

"Very funny, Princess," he said. She always blushed when he called her that.

The deserts were wheeled out. "Should I let you eat cake?" She asked.

"After you," he said.

~

The event dragged on, but he and Annabeth only got more bubbly on glass after glass of Champagne. When she dared him to steal the bottle of scotch, she leaned in close, her hand on his thigh under the table, running up until the princess was groping him in public.

"If I do --" he started.

"We'll go back to my room and share it," she said.

"How drunk are you?" He asked. He was decently tipsy himself. He'd probably feel drunker the moment he stood up.

"Sober enough to know I want to do this, drunk enough to act on it," she said.

"Well that's the perfect amount," he said, before standing quickly before she could get him noticeably hard.

Stealing the bottle was easy. Keeping his hands off of her until they were back at her hotel was the real challenge.

And he failed.

Miserably. 

She rolled up the partition as his hand slid under her dark blue gown for the first, but not last, time that night.

~

"So, what, do we need to get married now or ..." Percy asked.

Annabeth laughed on the other side of the call. "Don't be ridiculous. This is barely a sex scandal."

"Really? Because my dad seems to think the Swedes are about to invade Spain for what I did."

"What we did," she corrected. "I called because my team is going to run a press release, mostly about the gross invasion of privacy that this was," Percy was glad he decided to have her keep the dress on for their first round. It kept the world from seeing her totally naked. "But then they are going to confirm that we were friends in college."

"No, we were rivals, and I will never forgive you for getting the number one attorney award at ORCs. It should have been me, and you know it."

"You shouldn't have let your witness do a Swedish accent if they couldn't speak Swedish," she shot back. "But, does your team want to sign off on it?" She asked, getting back on track.

"Send it over," Percy said. "I'm sure it's fine, but I have a feeling no one here is going to trust my judgement in the near future."

"Sorry," she said.

"Don't be," Percy insisted. "Are you still in Paris?" He asked.

"Yes. They haven't cut my head off yet," Annabeth said.

"And thank god, because your head is incredible," he teased. She scoffed on the other line. "Since we are such good friends from college," he started, "would you want to get dinner tonight?"

"Is this a PR stunt?" She asked.

"This is a take-Annabeth-out stunt," Percy said. "It's earnest. It has nothing to do with paparazzi."

"I don't know. The paparazzi are there no matter what, and bad things happen to blonde princesses and their lovers in Paris," Annabeth said.

"Well then, why don't you just come here, and I'll cook for you," he suggested. "There's better security anyway."

There was a long pause before: "Okay, send me the details."

~

Percy made her tapas . Annabeth was pretty sure that was the Spanish equivalent of her taking him to the Ikea food court.

Knowing Percy, he'd probably really enjoy that date, actually.

Either way, they were delicious. He spread them out on the coffee table in his private room, and they ate on the couch like Roman emperors. Annabeth appreciated the choice; it gave her a better opportunity to show off her legs, and Percy seemed more than willing to look.

He'd brought a bottle of Spanish wine, but neither of them had reached for it. She wanted to see if she liked him as much sober as she had tipsy.

Annabeth had had a crush on him once. They crossed paths at an Easter garden party when they were twelve, and she and Percy got up to some trademark mischief. The press was quick to name Annabeth a "wild child" despite her being very literally a child, but those youthful rebellions (stealing extra deserts and seeing who could get closest to the Queen of Spain without being noticed) had solidified her as "Sweden's sweetheart" to her people at least. That mattered much more to her.

But they were kept apart after that.

Until they met on opposite ends of a mock trial case involving bribes, police entrapment, and a briefcase full of money. Yale's team was always better than Harvard's, despite her best efforts. But she and Piper were a rock star attorney-witness pair that constantly knocked Percy out of the top awards spot.

It was a testament to her skill that she even managed to stay focused when they went up against Yale. Because the cute twelve year old she'd once crushed on hard was now a very hot man. And the six years that had passed since their college days had only made him hotter. Strong jaw, Roman nose, dark hair, light eyes, muscular but not too much, well-done tattoos ...

Annabeth was cooked.

She had hoped she wouldn't find him as appealing when she was sober, but no. If anything it was worse.

"Bit old school to go with another royal, isn't it?" Her dad had asked her that morning when he showed her The Sun. (After about 15 minutes of ranting to staff about what an invasion of his daughter's privacy this was). She’d kicked Percy out to make it to breakfast with her father on time, only to find out they were front page news. 

All Annabeth could do was shrug and say, "He's barely royal. And we aren't going steady. He hasn't pinned me on the back of the school bus, or anything." 

"I'm not that old," her father said with a laugh. She was glad her father was pathologically incapable of ever being mad at her. She imagined this would be a pretty horrific conversation to have with him otherwise, staring down a sex scandal over crepes. Her father was simply offended on her behalf, and then curious if Percy was a nice man. Annabeth could almost see him picking out centerpieces for her wedding in his mind.    

Annabeth reached for another bite of Percy's food. "I never asked. What did you study at Yale?"

"Oh, classics," Percy said, wiping his hands on a napkin. "Did a master's too."

"Really?" Annabeth asked. It seemed so impractical. She'd been pushed to do all sorts of pre-law, history, and international relations courses, despite her real passions for architecture and design. But she figured that was the trade-off to being born into the most extreme generational privilege.

Percy nodded. "I'm thinking about applying to Oxbridge for a Ph.D."

Annabeth smiled, and asked again: "Really?"

"I'm not just some big, hot, dummy," he said.

"I don't think you're dumb, Percy," Annabeth said.

"Thanks," Percy said. Percy had his charmer smile -- it was a bold, straight on, smile that was a little cocky, but mostly communicated that you were the center of his attention in that moment. And then he had a real smile, one that betrayed him and communicated real affection. It was softer, smaller, closed-lipped, and he usually looked away as it happened.

This was one of those.

"Do you know Greek?" Annabeth asked, resting a hand on his knee.

"Ancient," he said, before reciting a few lines Annabeth recognized. The roll of his tongue as he spoke the ancient language made her warm.

He paused right when the poem was getting good. "That was --"

"Goddess, sing of the cataclysmic wrath of great Achilles, son of Peleus, which caused the Greeks immeasurable pain and sent to many noble souls of heroes to Hades," Annabeth finished for him.

Percy smiled. "Didn't know you knew Ancient Greek."

Annabeth shrugged. "I'm hardly fluent , but I know the heavy hitters. I always preferred --" she recited a few lines in Greek herself. Percy was biting the inside of his lip and the tops of his cheeks had gone a bit pink.

"Tell me about a complicated man," Percy translated. "Muse," his gaze bore into her as if she were the muse, "tell me how he wandered and was lost when he had wrecked the holy town of Troy, and where he went, and who he met, and the pain he suffered on the sea."

He rested a hand on her face, brushing her cheek with his thumb, before pulling her in. The kiss was soft, curious, and almost romantic. She hummed as they pulled away from each other.

"I always thought you'd be more of an Odyssey girl," he said when they pulled away.

"What does that mean?" She asked, ready to be teased or insulted.

Percy just leaned back against the couch. "It means I think you have good taste and correct opinions," he said.

Well, he'd certainly figured out the right things to say to get her into bed.

Annabeth crawled onto his lap, straddling him, before pushing her loose blonde curls back and away from her face. Percy's hands settled on the backs of her thighs.

~

That Iliad thing only worked like ... 40% of the time. He couldn't believe it'd worked for her. But Percy should have guessed she'd know at least some of the classics. It was the kind of thing kids in their position got taught. It still worked though. And now he had Sweden's sweetheart back in his lap, short skirt, bare legs, grinding up against him.

"Can I touch you, Princess?" He asked.

She nodded, and Percy's hand slipped under her skirt and pushed her panties to the side to get at her cunt. He smirked a little. Oh his little Iliad stunt had worked.

"Do you -- ah -- want to take them off?" Annabeth asked. "Or do you just think I'm so hideous you prefer it if I keep my clothes on?"

He'd asked her to keep her gown on last night for at least the first round. It was deep, royal blue, strapless, glittery, and it was driving him wild all night. He asked her to ride him in it, and she had. It was an image Percy would never forget, even if they had ruined some of the inner layers of fabric.

"God, no, Annabeth," Percy said, pulling her in for a kiss. Hideous? Even as a joke it was an outrageous thing for her to say. "I just like messing you up. Getting you wet and rumpled. I like making this perfect princess do a real walk of shame back to her castle."

Annabeth's cheeks were flushed, but that might be because he'd found a spot that had her back arching, and had her grinding her clit against the heel of his palm.

"I'd have to be ashamed first. And I don't walk to my castle. I have a private jet," she said.

"And a callous disregard for the environment," Percy teased.

"I'm too important for business class," she said. But that was where her teasing ended. She pitched forward towards him, her lips pressing against his neck as she kissed and nipped at the skin. "Percy, talk to me," she whispered in his ear.

"Talk?" He asked.

"Talk dirty ."

Percy panicked. He usually had a little dirty talk up his sleeve, but he'd used it all up on his little walk of shame spiel. He was, in reality, painfully earnest and romantic. It made for a great wedding toast, but not for dirty talking a hookup.

She spoke ancient Greek. What were the odds she also knew Spanish? Pretty high, he figured, probably pretty high. But ...

"[ You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, ]" he tried in a lusty tone. He'd spent his years in New York learning a more Latin American accent. It pissed his pretentious family off, but the Spanish lisp simply wasn't very sexy in his opinion.

"I like that," Annabeth said. "Am I supposed to know what you're saying?" She asked.

"No, that's part of the fun," he said. Thank god.

He went on. There were some dirty things in there, like how he planned to eat her out, and how he loved being inside her. And then that slipped so quickly into praising how beautiful and smart she was. How happy he was that she was here. How he'd wanted her for years. How she passed every expectation.

Corny and painfully honest shit like that, until she was gasping his name, thighs trembling, and getting impossibly wetter around his fingers. He simply kissed her as her orgasm finished, before slipping her panties back into place, swiping his finger over her now-covered cunt, to make sure they were a proper mess.

Annabeth was breathing hard in his lap, her gray eyes fixed on his. He expected her to say something. Something witty and maybe a little mean (he liked when she was mean. If she bullied him enough right now, he might just cum).

But she just leaned forward again, and captured him in a hot, desperate kiss.

~

"Should I return the favor in Swedish?" She joked between hot kisses.

She'd settled down into his lap, grinding her ruined panties against his clothed hard cock. He needed her, she could tell. She'd given him head this morning before they parted ways and before The Sun exposed their hookup. She'd become well acquainted with what a desperate, needy Percy looked like.

Really, she wasn't going to speak Swedish to him unless he asked. She knew it wasn't the hottest language out there.

She hadn't meant to, but she'd set Percy up for failure, and herself up to be insulted.

"That's alright," he said. A good start. "It makes you sound like a muppet." Horrific ending.

Jokes about meatballs and flat pack furniture? Fine, respectable even. The Swedish Chef? A joke she heard enough at her all-girls boarding school.

Annabeth frowned and got off his lap.

"Wait --" he said. She just stood and walked away from the couch, choosing to instead snoop around his room while she decided what her next move was. "Annabeth, I'm sorry. That was too far."

"It was," she said.

There was a large, blue velvet box on his dresser. She knew what boxes this size usually held. She opened it. She knew it was the Prussian Diamond tiara that belonged to his aunt, but she played dumb.

Annabeth held up the tiara (carefully). "How many other princesses do you bring in here?" She asked.

Percy stood and walked over to her. He took the tiara out of her hands. "It's my aunt’s. My cousin asked me to make sure it made it to the event so she could wear it, and then she canceled. Said she had some punk concert at a Berlin leather bar or something."

The Spanish princess was so much cooler than she was.

She thought Percy would move to put it back, make sure this heirloom of his country stayed safe, but instead, he placed it on her head.

"You're the only princess, I promise," he said. "Sorry for making fun of you and your national language," he said, before kissing her gently. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings like that."

Annabeth decided to forgive him and pick up on their little game.

"It doesn't seem like you respect my country very much," she said, the confidence in her voice returning.

"I do," he promised, pressing his body up against hers, and pressing her back into the dresser behind her. He buried his face in her shoulder, kissing whatever skin he could find.

"Prove it," she said. "Bow."

She felt a slight shift in Percy's demeanor. He was going to yield to her, and just like that, too.

Percy stepped back, held his back straight, and dropped his head quickly.

"Better than that," she said.

He rested his forearm across his torso, before bending at the waist.

"Lower," she instructed. He hinged at the hips. Still not right. "Get on your knees," she told him. Percy dropped.

He watched her from his spot on the floor, big green eyes empty of anything but desire. She would have fun with this, she was sure.

Annabeth unbuttoned her shirt before tossing it aside. Then her bra. she shimmied out of her skirt, and then dropped her panties, kicking them towards the pile. She left the Spanish queen's tiara on. Annabeth had always liked breaking the rules, and she had never been a fan of Percy's aunt.

Annabeth hooked a leg over Percy's shoulder, getting his head between her legs.

"Please," Percy begged.

Annabeth smiled. "Go ahead."

~

Annabeth was wise enough to return the tiara to the box before Percy tossed her on the bed to eat her front to back. She'd never had anyone play with her ass in any way, so when his tongue slipped back there ... well, she was surprised he enjoyed it so much, and really surprised she enjoyed it so much. Annabeth was also pretty sure Percy nearly came from rutting against the sheets as she came on his face a third time.

"I lied to you before," Annabeth said with a giggle as Percy washed his face and mouth before she finally let him inside her. "My dad is furious about the pictures, and demands you marry me to preserve my honor."

Percy stepped out with a smile on his face. She'd peeled his clothes off at some point, so he was all tattoos, muscle, and hard cock.

"You enjoyed that so much you're going to marriage trap me Bridgerton-style?" He asked with a grin.

Annabeth pulled him back into bed. "I just might have to. Where did you learn how to do that?" She asked.

Percy paused and tilted his head side to side as he decided what to say, before landing simply on: "Gay sex, mostly."

Annabeth offered a shocked, open mouthed smile. "Oh!" she said.

"Is that okay?" He asked, twirling a curl around one of his fingers.

"Perfectly fine," she promised, "I just didn't expect you to be so frank."

"Frank and I did do that a lot," he said. She didn't know who Frank was, or if he was even real, or just a character he made up for the joke. "You're sure it's fine? Being with a bi dude?"

Annabeth giggled. "I went to an all-girls boarding school, Percy, I've had gay sex too. More than straight sex probably."

"I had a feeling you and Tristan McLean's daughter weren't just very good friends ," he teased.

"Well, duh," Annabeth confessed. She and Piper were very good friends now. College was a different story.

Annabeth rolled onto her back and reached a hand out for him.

"What is it, Princess?" He asked.

"You've been very patient," she said. Percy nodded. "Do you want me to blow you or do you want to fuck me?" She asked, offering him the choice.

Percy crawled on top of her before kissing her. He'd made such a sweet submissive, and she wondered if she could draw that out of him more. She'd be willing to bet it wasn't uncharted territory for him.

But he seemed different now. He held her wrists in her hands and pinned them over her head.

"Oh," she whimpered. Percy smirked down at her, as if to say gotcha. How he'd clocked her submissive streak too, she couldn't be sure. But it was all an added bonus. The government wanted her to find a husband. She really just wanted a talented switch to take the edge off at the end of the day. She’d figure out romance some other time.

With each passing moment, Annabeth became more and more sure she needed to marriage trap this man, Bridgerton-style.

But while he rocked himself inside her, he started speaking Spanish again. So many sweet and lovely things about how beautiful she was, how much he adored her, how long he'd desired her. She might not have to trap him. She might just have to date him, old school royal-on-royal style.

She'd confess to speaking Spanish in the morning. Right now, she just wanted to know what he said to her when he wasn't worried about winning their little games.

~

Annabeth woke up to a hard knock on the door. Her face was buried in one of Percy's soft pillows, and his chest was pressed up against her back, holding her in a comfortable little spoon position. Percy Jackson was an excellent cuddler, which was on her "must have" list for a future prince consort. Not that she was thinking that far ahead.

" Pedro Felipe Juan de Todos ," a male voice yelled into their room. Annabeth was only half awake, and thought distantly, who the hell is Pedro?

" Qué?" Percy called back.

Oh right, Annabeth thought. He was Pedro. "Jackson" was his mother's maiden name, the Prince’s second wife. He was her only son. And "Percy" was ... she actually had no idea if "Percy" was any part of his legal name. (She herself was Ambritt Ingrid and then several long Swedish names almost no one ever bothered with before they got to Chase . Princess Annabeth, or Princess Ambritt if she was home-side, was much easier).

"[ Is her royal highness Princess Annabeth of Sweden in there with you? ] The man asked.

"[ Who wants to know?] " Percy asked back.

" [ Her security detail. ]"

Annabeth tried to keep a neutral, uninformed face, remembering that she led him to believe she did not speak Spanish last night.

"Sorry about my brother. Your people are looking for you," Percy said.

Annabeth looked at her phone. She'd missed a call from her dad. Kings generally did not like being left to go to voicemail.

"I have to call my dad back," she said, sitting up. Percy sat up with her. She let her eyes roam over his chest again. He had a bite mark on one of his pecks. She hadn't meant to bite him that hard.

The night before had been ... wow. The sex had been some of the best, but he was, well, just fun. She liked him. She liked him a lot. Annabeth smiled at him, and he smiled back.

"[ You are such a gorgeous woman. I don't know how I've gotten so lucky to enjoy you in my bed two nights in a row, ] " he'd muttered to her in Spanish the night before when he thought she couldn't understand. He turned her on, sure, but he also gave her butterflies. He was, in Annabeth's opinion, kind of the perfect Prince Charming.

And a Prince Charming she had to be honest with.

"Percy, about last night --" she started. I know what you were saying , she thought, and it was so kind. I'm sorry for lying. But I feel --

While she was planning her speech, Percy interrupted her.

"It can't happen again."

Annabeth leaned back, grabbing the sheets to cover the bare chest on instinct. "What?" She asked, suddenly confused about how the night before had gone. "Why not? What happened?"

Percy looked shocked and then a bit scared. "No, no, I'm sorry," he reached for her but she leaned back, so he settled for running a hand through his sleep messed hair. "I thought that's what you were going to say," he explained.

"Oh," Annabeth said, relaxing a little. "That wasn't even a little bit what I was going to say."

Percy's eyes lit up. "Really?" He asked.

"I was going to say," Annabeth scooted closer. It maybe wasn't the best time for the Spanish confession. "I was going to say that I had a great time last night." She let the sheet fall down. "And not just the sex, but that was amazing. It was really fun hanging out with you. And I'd like to keep hanging out with you."

Percy nodded. "Yeah, yeah, that'd be awesome!" He said with a wide smile.

"How much longer are you in Paris?" She asked.

"A few days, then I go back to New York," he said.

"Me too," she said. Then she went back to Sweden for a bit. But she could probably make time to get to New York. "I have a private tour of the catacombs today. If you want to join me?"

"Dark, underground tunnels full of dead bodies? Sounds like a great date spot," he said.

"I think so," Annabeth said with a smile. "Let me just call my dad back."

Before she could reach for her phone, Percy snuck a hand into her hair and pulled her in for another kiss, pressing gently on the back of her neck to bring their mouths together. Annabeth sank into it, not caring about morning breath or anything. He was a dangerously good kisser. Annabeth didn't stand a chance.

The King of Sweden picked up on the first ring, as if he didn't have better things to do than wait for his daughter to call.

"Hi, Daddy, I'm alive and perfectly safe," she said.

Percy raised an eyebrow at her and mouthed daddy? At her. She frowned and mouthed back thin ice, before turning her back to him. 

He just chuckled. She'd given him a little honesty and now she wasn't scary any more? She'd have to find some way to fix that.

"[ Are you still with Percy?" ] Her dad asked her in Swedish, not worrying about titles for a boy so much lower in status than him. Although, her dad never seemed rude when he ignored titles. He just seemed like a normal dad. Annabeth liked that the most about her father.

"I am," she said. "He's going to join me at the catacombs today. I'm going to call Hugo to pick us up in a few minutes and bring us back to the hotel before we go over."

"[ Why are you speaking English ?]" He asked.

"Uh..." How did she explain that she was pretty close to getting her childhood crush to finally date her, and she didn't need her muppet voice ruining it? She got a little quieter. "[ Percy is still here. It just seems rude to speak a language he doesn't in front of him ,]" she said rapidly.

She felt Percy's arms snake around her, and he planted a kiss to her cheek.

"[ Alright sweetheart. Be safe, stay in touch,] " her father said. She wondered if he would worry so much if he had remarried and given the nation a few spares. But after her mother died, he simply declared that Annabeth was more than enough for him and for the country. It did make Annabeth feel rather special.

"[ Love you too, ]" she promised, before hanging up the phone.

"I'm sorry I said you sound like a muppet," Percy said again, still holding onto her. "You actually sound really cute. Your voice is higher when you speak Swedish," he said.

"I'm glad you think so," she said, "because I need to call my driver, and he only speaks Swedish."

A few minutes later, her security and rides were arranged. Percy took a quick shower and got dressed. She showered with him to cut down on water, to prove she did in fact care about the environment.

Percy got dressed in a crisp button down and a pair of jeans.

Annabeth only had her clothes from the night before. "I guess you got your wish," she said, as she rebuttoned her wrinkled blouse. "Walk of --" certainly not shame "--satisfaction," she landed on.

Percy smirked and picked up her panties. "Commando or dirty undies?" He asked.

Annabeth reached into her purse and pulled out a clean pair. "You think I'd suffer the indignity of either? I'm always prepared," she told him. He handed her the dirty pair as she slipped the clean ones on under her skirt.

Annabeth shook her head. "You keep them," she said. "But if I find them for sale online, that will be an act of war," she promised.

Percy stashed them under his pillow, and she was pretty sure he whispered awesome to himself.

A few minutes later, they were in the car back to her hotel. She'd been promised security had cleared out any paparazzi, but she was emotionally ready for them to be pictured together again.

Percy was humming something next to her. It sounded familiar. Annabeth wracked her brain trying to place it.

It's time to play the music. It's time to light the light.

"Is that the fucking Muppet's Show theme song?" She asked.

Percy stopped and started to laugh. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize --"

"Bullying!" She accused. "I'm being bullied!"

Chapter Text

People had started to believe that the current Swedish royal line was cursed. Frederick wasn't superstitious himself, but he was starting to think so too.

It started with his brother's family.

In one tragic day, in one swift and violent turn in the tides, his wife and daughters sank into the ocean. Randolph quickly sank into his grief.

For the first time in twenty years, Fred found himself heir apparent. And when his brother's griefs weighed too heavily on him, and he found abdication was more beneficial for himself and his country, Fred became the one thing he never expected to be -- King.

"Do you know what this means?" His wife asked their daughter. She was only two, but already whip-smart, clever, and a trouble maker to boot.

"I'm going to be the queen," Annabeth guessed.

"That's right," Frederick told her, "but not for a long time, I promise."

His wife was next, though. When her periods stopped, they thought she might be expecting again. Instead, they discovered cancer in her cervix and uterus. The number of treatments available to her didn't matter. The cancer simply spread too quickly and too aggressively. She left them within the year of the diagnosis. Poor Annabeth was only four -- old enough to perceive a big change and the sharp pangs of grief, but not old enough to truly understand how final death was. It took almost a year before she stopped asking when her mother was coming back.

A widower himself now, Fred spent most of his time attached to his daughter, prioritizing her happiness, education, and safety above anything else.

Annabeth seemed capable of charming anyone with her sweet little face and wide eyes. Anyone, of course, except a step-mother.

Fred tried to find a new wife. As the spare himself, he understood the need for a monarchy to have options.

"I don't want to just marry someone so she can be some broodmare," Fred said to his sister. "And anyway, none of these women seem particularly keen on Annabeth."

"I saw Annabeth put lemon in the last one's tea to curdle the milk," his sister said casually.

"What are you saying?" Fred asked.

"It's not the women who don't like her. She doesn't like them. "

The last time Fred dated, Annabeth was seven. He actually really cared for Cynthia. He met her in Boston on a family vacation with Annabeth. And Annabeth seemed to actually like her for once.

But there were problems. Annabeth was a good, sweet girl, but she clung to her father after her mother died, and Fred allowed it. He didn't want to be away from Annabeth any more than she did. When Annabeth sensed that Cynthia was taking away from her time with her dad, she acted out. Fits, tantrums, and cries pleading for her mother became routine, and Cynthia's patience ran thin.

"If this is going to work, Fred, then you need to discipline her. She can't get away with things like this," Cynthia protested.

"It's just been me and her since her mother died, she needs time," Fred argued back.

"I'm not saying don't comfort her, but you need to control her."

"I can either control this country or control Annabeth, I cannot possibly do both," Fred said.

Cynthia stood up. "If that's really your feeling, then I don't think we can continue seeing each other."

Maybe she was bluffing. Maybe it was a chance for him to prove he could be a disciplinary father. But really, did he love this woman enough to put her through the pressure of a very public royal life? Did he want her to be Annabeth's stepmother? Did he even want another wife?

"Well, if that's how you feel. I'll have Hugo arrange to take you to the airport," he said simply, before checking his watch. "Annabeth will be done with school for the day soon. You're welcome to stay and say goodbye if you'd like."

Cynthia hadn't stayed. Annabeth walked around all night with a triumphant smile on her face. Fred might have been the spare who was never meant to be king, but his little girl was born to be queen.

Annabeth fell asleep in his arms that night. She might have been getting bigger, but she still liked when he read to her. They sat in the old rocking chair in her room, and she clung onto a brown Beanie Baby owl she called "Hoot," while he read from the Norwegian translation of Return of the King. He'd read it to her in Swedish as a baby, and then in English as a toddler. His girl was bilingual now, and it was time to get her started on the other Scandinavian languages, before she learned the romance languages too.

"Sir," his valet said, popping his head in, "Cynthia's plane has departed."

"Thank you Anders," Fred said. "I think she'll be the last woman for a while."

Anders paused. "Sir, the line --"

"Will pass to Annabeth," Fred said.

"Of course, that's the expectation. But if something happens to her --"

Fred held up his hand. "If, god forbid, Annabeth dies before I do, I plan to go mad, become a tyrant, and then set myself on fire," he held up the book for emphasis, "Denethor-style."

"And the line of succession?"

"Will go to my sister and her son Magnus, I suppose," Fred said with less intensity.

"Right, well, let us hope for the long and happy life of our princess," Anders said.

"Yes, let's do that," Fred said, dismissing Anders. He'd put Annabeth in bed in a few minutes, but for now he'd just keep holding onto her. She wouldn't be little forever, after all.

~

The King of Sweden was going to kill him, Percy was sure of it. The guide looked just as stressed as he did. The Catacombs were a labyrinth full of dead bodies that people disappeared in all the time, sometimes on purpose, sometimes not. 

“Annabeth!” Percy called down a dark corridor. “Ambritt …” oh what the fuck were all her Swedish names? “Ambritt Elsa Anna Kristoff Olaf Chase!” 

“You know Frozen is set in Norway, right?” A voice behind him asked. Percy nearly jumped out his skin, before pulling her in for a hug. “Omph. You missed me already?” She asked, laughing at him. 

“No, I was just imagining how I was going to explain to your father that his beloved only daughter had disappeared under Paris. He’d probably make me dig up the whole city with a plastic spoon,” Percy said, letting her go as his breathing regulated. 

“Silver spoon, surely,” Annabeth said with a laugh, before their guide rejoined them. 

“[ Ma’am, I must insist you do not wander off without me, ]” he said. 

“[ Sorry, Philip, it won’t happen again, ]” she promised. Her French was stunningly perfect. His always leaned too far Spanish, which annoyed uptight Frenchmen who pretended to know what he was saying when he barely mispronounced bonjour. 

 They kept on down the tunnels. 

“ Frozen is set in Arendale, by the way,” Percy said to her. 

Annabeth rolled her eyes. “Arendale, a fake kingdom in Norway,” she pushed back. “What, are you a Frozen expert?” 

“It’s my little sister’s favorite movie,” Percy said. Annabeth had done her hair in a braid today. Percy pulled it over her shoulder. Full Elsa. “She’d probably freak out if she met you, she’d think you were the real Elsa.” That was a lie, but it made Annabeth smile. Stella was eleven now, and actually Percy didn’t know when she last watched that movie. But she had watched it just about every day for five straight years. He could sing “Let It Go ” in his sleep. 

“Little sister?” She asked. 

“My mom’s other kid, non-royal, daughter of an English teacher,” Percy said, pulling out his phone. He found a picture of the two of them on her last birthday. “We’re seventeen years apart.” 

“No shit,” Annabeth said, “she’s very cute. Does she get jealous that you’re royal and she’s not?” 

“No, I treat her like a princess, and I’ve been known to smuggle her a tiara or two,” he said with a smile. He put his phone away and then used his now free hand to grab hers, lacing their fingers together. She laced back. “Not getting away from me this time,” Percy told her, squeezing her hand. 

“Well, not unless I see something really cool,” Annabeth said back. 

“If you do, just ask poor Phillip what it is. He looked more stressed than I did,” Percy said. 

“Alright, for poor Phillip’s sake, I will keep holding your hand,” she promised. 

Even in the dim artificial light of the tunnels, her smile was beautiful. He told her as much. Not in English of course. English was still way too vulnerable. He’d be an idiot to assume what they had would outlast this Paris trip, even if she had said she’d like it to continue. He was literally out of her league. A commoner? That would be chic, trendy even. Another Swedish nobel? Traditional. Classy. A nobody from a royal family that was a bit of a military dictatorship but working on it? Weird and bad. 

“[ You have the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen ,]” he told her in Spanish. 

She hummed happily. “Are you trying to seduce me in the catacombs?”

They passed a few skulls in the wall. “Great place for boning,” he said. 

She laughed and it echoed down the tunnel. “Have some respect for the dead,” she pleaded. 

Percy pulled her in close, stopping her where she stood and pressing their bodies together. 

“[ Getting the chance to make you laugh has made this entire trip worth it, ]” he told her. 

He must have failed to keep his seductive tone with that one, letting a little earnestness bleed through, because her eyes softened a little. She smiled a bit, and he could see the gears of her mind working behind her eyes. And then she kissed him. So much for respecting the dead. But it was pretty much the best underground kiss of all time. 

~

It was her last day in Paris.

And for the fifth day in a row, she was in Percy Jackson's lap.

They'd been spotted together at the catacombs. Then the next day at Shakespeare and Company (he'd bought her a copy of Ulysses) . Then last night getting drinks together. They were really causing some buzz on Royal Twitter. She was already seeing calls for her to marry him.

She just might. Percy Jackson was honest in Spanish, and what he told her was making her absolutely silly. It wasn’t enough for him to be handsome, a good lover, and a man who understood that she was bisexual without it being weird. No, he also had to be kind, earnest, and -- oh. His palms were warm against her lower back as he slipped under her shirt and pulled her closer until her breasts were against his chest. 

"[ I'm going to miss you. I hope you visit me when you're in New York ,]" Percy whispered to her.

"What about New York?" Annabeth asked.

Before she left Paris, she had to tell him the truth. She would tell him. She'd tell him tonight. Absolutely.

"Just that my door is open if you want to visit me," he said, feeling her up, trying to pretend he'd said something more detached from his true feelings.

"I just might have to," she said with a flirty toss of her hair, falling back into their game. Come on, tell him the truth.

Percy rolled his hips up towards her. They were still dressed. He wasn't even hard yet from what she could tell. Better to do it now , she thought.

"[ I hope you do. You're not like any other woman I've ever met, ]" he said, before biting her neck a little. "Do you want to talk dirty to m e, Princess?" Percy asked.

"I uh ..." she stammered, losing hold of her carefully curated flirtatious mask. Oh god. "I ... Percy --"

Percy leaned back against the headboard and rested a hand on her face, his thumb rubbing over her cheek. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she promised.

"You don't have to do that if you don't want to," he reminded her.

"No, no," good start. That's Spanish for 'no,' "I want to, I just ..."

Percy kissed her gently. "Take your time."

Annabeth kissed him, trying to get a little of her moxie back. She felt his hands grope her ass, and he asked: "Do you want me to touch you here again?"

"Yes, Percy I --"

"Go on Princess, tell me what you want," he goaded.

" [I want to tell you how much everything you've said this week has meant to me, ]" she said rapidly in Spanish. She should have practiced, she realized. Her reading and listening comprehension was good, but when it came to the accent ... well her week speaking French and her lifetime of speaking Swedish didn't make for a perfect Spanish accent.

Percy pushed her back away from him by her shoulders.

There was a long, terrible silence where they just stared, and he processed what she'd just said, and she processed how betrayed he looked.

"Percy, I --"

He grabbed her legs and toppled her off of him, onto her back on his bed, as he moved to stand. 

"Percy, please --" 

Annabeth had suffered a good number of heartbreaks in the last ten years, but she'd never gotten better at coping with them. There were college girlfriends who didn't understand her being bisexual or her being in the closet. There were other men in recent years who seemed so promising, but just wanted her proximity to power, or the attention she got. She was twenty-eight. No boyfriend, no consort, no children.

And Percy Jackson was about to kick her out of bed. And this one she'd done to herself. Well, maybe it was better that she ruined this one before it could get out of hand. She was already starting to feel like if they kept seeing each other beyond Paris, it would end in the worst heartbreak of her life. That or marriage. The only two options really. 

"You speak Spanish?" He asked. His back was turned to her, his legs hanging off the edge, but he turned his head to look towards her when he spoke.

"Yes, I can explain though --"

"You lied to me!" Percy said. "And then you just let me go on, and on, like an idiot. "

"No, no," Annabeth crawled closer to him. Hesitantly, she rested a hand on his shoulder. "You're not an idiot Percy, please don't say that. I didn't mean to lie to you."

"You said 'I don't know what you're saying,''' Percy recalled.

"No," she protested, "I said 'am I supposed to know what you're saying?' I thought you maybe wanted to do some language barrier role play or something. But then you kept saying all these thing --"

"Really personal things!"

"I know! And I wasn't lying just now. Those things you said, they mean so much to me." Annabeth felt tears prick her eyes. She'd learned how to carefully control her emotions throughout her teen years. She could turn them off for politics, or if she was flirting, or even just fucking someone. But when she felt something for someone? And especially when that person was mad at her? 

She felt tears on her face, and when she drew a shaky breath, Percy turned around to face her.

"Annabeth, you're crying?" He said, but it sounded like a question. He wiped away a tear, concern painting his face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry."

"It's okay, I actually cry a lot. If you get to know me better, you'll deal with this all the time," she warned. "Can I just," she took a deep breath and composed herself, "explain, without you getting angry for a minute."

Percy nodded. Annabeth rested back on her heels.

"People flatter me all the time. Whether that's because it's their job to treat me well, or because they want something from me -- my fame, my proximity to power, my popularity, to get me into bed. I hear nice things all the time. And I never know who's telling me the truth.

"I was perfectly happy to just hook up with you twice, and then send you an NDA so you couldn't go to the press with details about what we did. But then ... you thought I couldn't understand what you were saying. So you started being so honest. And it ... it felt special. I knew you weren't just flattering me, that you actually felt that way about me. I was selfish. I wanted to keep hearing them." She paused. "Oh god, you were actually being honest, right. I'm not a complete fool?"

He grabbed her hands, and shifted his body slightly to face her more. "I was, I was being honest, I promise," he said. "I really think all those things. That doesn't ... freak you out? I mean, some of it was intense."

"It was lovely," Annabeth corrected. "I think you're the most handsome man I've ever seen. And I've had a crush on you since we were twelve. You're so charming, and kind, and thoughtful. And I love that you're bisexual, I mean, that's such a bonus, to have someone who understands me --"

Percy cut her off with a kiss -- hot, passionate, his arms wrapped around her, holding her tight to his chest.

"I love our little games," Percy said, pulling back, "but it seems like we both like it best when we're honest."

"I can do honest," Annabeth promised, "I might just be more emotional than you're used to me being."

"Hey, me too," Percy said. "Wasn't the point of the game, anyway? To hide how we were really feeling?" Percy wondered.

Annabeth nodded. "I guess it was."

Percy's arms were still around her, and Annabeth used the chance to lean back in for a hug. Percy gave her a good squeeze.

"How long are you in Sweden?" Percy asked, his head on her shoulder, still embracing her.

"Two weeks."

"And then how long are you in New York?"

"Three months, about, unless something catastrophic happens back home." She pulled away, letting his arms drop from around her.

"Text me when you're settled. I'll take you out," Percy promised.

"I'll text you when I land, " Annabeth said with a smile.

"Deal. Where do you like to go?"

Annabeth thought for a moment. "You can take me to the Met archives, show me where you work, let me touch some old stuff," Percy chuckled. "Then we'll go on a walk in the park. And then, we'll cut across to Lincoln Center and you can take me to the ballet."

"The ballet? " Percy asked.

"Yes, the ballet . New York City Ballet is mounting Sleeping Beauty in a few weeks, and I want to see it," she told him.

"Alright. Could be cool to see how a ballet does a big dragon battle," Percy said.

Annabeth carded her fingers through his hair. "There are no dragons in the ballet version."

Percy flopped onto his back. "Well then what's the fucking point?"

"I guess it does sound kind of boring," Annabeth agreed, crawling until she was next to him. She settled into his side, and wrapped an arm over his torso. "I am really sorry I didn't tell you the truth."

"I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance to explain," he said back.

"Truce?" She asked.

"Truce. But just so I know for the future, what languages do you speak?" He asked her.

"Swedish and English --"

"Okay, duh," Percy interrupted.

"Hush. Swedish, English, Norwegian, Finnish, touches of Icelandic, French, Spanish, Italian, bits of Ancient Greek and Latin, and bits of German. But the German is really rusty," she finished.

"Jesus Christ, Chase, you are too fucking smart for me," he said, resting a hand over his eyes.

"Hey, you're the smarty pants with a master's degree from Yale, and soon-to-be Ph.D. from Oxford," she said.

"Haven't even applied yet," he said.

"Oh, you'll get in," she promised. "I know it's our last night in Paris, but could we just ... do this instead?" Annabeth asked, gesturing to their cuddling position.

Percy squeezed her into his side. "I was going to ask the same thing. Want to get comfy?" He asked.

Getting comfy meant taking off their clothes, slipping into pajamas (she stole a pair of shorts and a hoodie that she had no intentions of giving back), and snuggling under the covers.

"Also," Percy started when the lights were off and they were just a tangle of limbs, "we really need to work on your Spanish accent."

~ Three months later ~ 

Their relationship wasn't -- couldn't be -- a secret. Not after their first hookup had briefly made international news. But they'd been exclusive for three months now, and Percy was introducing her to work colleagues and friends as his girlfriend. It was probably about time they made their relationship officially public.

Annabeth had invited him on a ski trip in the Swiss Alps. It was going to be her extended family, a who's who of the Swedish government, and a bunch of her friends.

"My cousin Astrid is bringing her baby," Annabeth said with a smile.

"I'm always in for a week away with you, you don't need to make a sales pitch," Percy said. "I'm just not a super strong skier." He much, much preferred surfing.

"I do need to give you the sales pitch," Annabeth said, warning him. "My dad is going to be there. And he wants to talk to you and give his blessing before we make anything public."

Annabeth loved her father, Percy knew that. But she also usually just did whatever she wanted. If she wanted to make their relationship public without her dad's approval, she'd do it. He could tell by the sensitive, worried look in her eyes (he'd gotten to really appreciate these sensitive parts of her, not just the tough, scary, witty exterior) that getting her dad's approval was , unlucky for Percy, very important to her.

"Of course I'll go," Percy agreed. "I might just need some coaching."

"No you don't. Just be yourself," she insisted, resting her head on his shoulder. "He knows how much you mean to me. He just wants to make sure ... that you're ready."

"Ready for what?" Percy asked.

"Our future."

~

The ski lodge was warm and cleared out of anyone not on Fred Chase's invite list.

"There are so many tall, blonde people," Percy whispered.

"That's the family for you. Viking stock," Annabeth joked.

They grabbed drinks at the bar -- a white Russian for Annabeth (the idea of milk in a cocktail made Percy nauseous) and an old fashioned for him.

They said hi to a few people, Percy introduced himself, put on his charmer personality, and stuck close to Annabeth.

There was a blip of silence to the left of them, then a murmur of "your majesty" followed by a loud, "Oh! Stop stop stop stop stop!"

Percy instinctively took Annabeth's drink out of her hand, as she moved towards her dad. There were no bows or titles, just a big hug and some words exchanged in Swedish. Percy made a mental note to keep an eye on his Duo-Lingo streak while he was here.

Annabeth walked her father over to Percy, and she took her glass back so he could bow, do the correct greeting, even as Fred Chase begged him to stop, before finally shaking the King's hand.

"It's great you meet you my boy," Fred said with a smile. Percy was relieved. It was like Fred had forgotten about the window incident.

"You and Annabeth go sit, catch up. Can I get you a drink?" Percy offered.

"A Manhattan," Fred said, not specifying beyond that as he and his daughter walked towards some couches by wide windows that showed off pristine snow-covered mountains.

"Can I get a Manhattan?" Percy asked the bartender.

"Whiskey preference?"

"Uh ..."

Percy was about to say "anything top shelf," when the woman next to him said: "Uncle Fred's not a fan of anything too fancy," and then she pointed to something on the lower shelf that Percy knew to still be a pretty fucking fancy bottle of whiskey.

"Are you saving my life right now?" Percy asked with a smile.

"Maybe so," she said. She looked a bit like Annabeth, but had a thicker Swedish accent and a baby in her arms.

"Are you Cousin Astrid?" Percy guessed.

"I am, and you must be Percy," she held out her free hand and Percy shook it. "This is Poppy."

She turned the baby towards him. She was as blonde as the rest of the room, with big blue eyes. Percy waved at her, and she extended a little baby hand. Percy let her cling to his finger.

"Lovely to meet you Miss. Poppy," he said. "Not a very traditional name," Percy said.

"My husband works in America. Her first name is Elsa really, after my mother but ..."

" Frozen ?" Percy guessed.

" Frozen ," Astrid confirmed.

"Forgive me, but you're not a first cousin, are you?" Percy asked. He was pretty sure Annabeth only had one living first cousin.

"No, no, I am her grandfather's brother's granddaughter." Percy tried to map the tree in his head. "Which makes me ... eighth in line for the throne," Astrid finished with a laugh.

"I'm seventh in line myself," Percy said. Astrid held up her drink, which looked like just soda water. He cheered her as the bartender sat down the drink.

"Good luck with Annabeth's father," she said, before turning him back towards his girlfriend.

"Ah, thank you my boy," Fred said as Percy handed him the drink. "Oh, nice choice on the whiskey," The King said after a sip.

Annabeth offered Percy an approving smile.

"Sorry for the delay, I met your cousin, Astrid," Percy said.

Annabeth grabbed his knee. "Did she have Poppy with her?"

"Yeah, she's --" Percy pointed to Astrid.

"Sorry Percy, I need to see this baby," and with that Annabeth left him alone with the King of Sweden, who was also the single most important person in his girlfriend's life.

The King was on his own couch facing Percy with a coffee table between them. Percy felt like he was in a job interview, or on trial.

"So, Percy, what do you do?" The King asked him.

"I work for the Met, in the antiquity archives. I'm thinking about doing a Ph.D. Hopefully at Oxbridge if they'll have me," he explained.

Fred nodded. Percy was pretty sure it was approval. "Are you excited for the skiing this weekend?"

Percy tried to smile. "I think it'll be all bunny slopes for me. I never really took to it."

"See if you can get Annabeth to stick with you. She'll take off down a Black Diamond at the speed of sound with no concern for my nerves," Fred said.

"I'll do my best, but she doesn't have much concern for my nerves either. On our second date, I nearly lost her in the Paris catacombs because she kept wandering away from the guide."

Fred laughed. "That's my girl. I've always said, I can control Sweden or I can control Annabeth, but I cannot do both."

"You do mean everything to her, your majesty," Percy said.

"Oh please, Percy, call me Fred," The King said.

"I'm sorry sir, but I had my manners beaten into my by nuns, I don't think I physically can," Percy said with a laugh.

"Are you Roman Catholic?" Fred asked.

Percy took a healthy sip of his drink. "Officially. I'm confirmed."

"Well, if you ever want to convert to the Church of Sweden, we're a bit more open minded," Fred said.

Percy knew, of course, that he'd have to convert if he ever planned to marry Annabeth. She'd be head of that church one day. He had no real attachment to the Catholic faith, beyond an appreciation for the Virgin Mary and general artistic flair that non-Catholics seemed to pitifully lack.

There was a long pause in the conversation, and Fred's eyes seemed to drift past Percy. Percy turned to follow his gaze, and saw Annabeth holding Poppy, bounding her up and down on her hip as she spoke to Astrid.

"Can I be honest with you, young man?" Fred asked, shifting more to the edge of his seat to get closer to Percy, despite the table in between them.

"Of course sir," Percy said, shifting to match Fred's posture.

"If every single person in this room vanished right now, except for her," he pointed to his daughter, "it wouldn't matter to me. As long as I had her with me, I'd know everything would be okay."

Percy nodded, not exactly sure what to say. The King kept talking.

"Losing her mother was a grief I don't think either of us have ever recovered from."

The first time he'd ever seen Annabeth really cry, not just tear up at a movie or sad song the way she was prone to, was after she spent a day with Percy and his mother. It had gone so well, and she'd been so happy. Until they got back to his loft and she broke down crying, overwhelmed with grief that Percy couldn't understand but knew was real.

"If anything ever happened to her," The King said, "I don't know how I'd make it through that."

"Sir, I hope it goes without saying that I don't intend to --"

"No one ever plans to hurt Annabeth, but I've seen it before. She meets someone, falls fast, and then they can't stand up to what being her partner actually means, let alone what being a consort would mean," Fred said. "I don't expect you to marry her any time soon or ever. If you two part ways in the future, though, I want it to be because things simply aren't right in the relationship, not because you have put her in a position where she must choose between you and her birthright."

Percy sat up straighter, waiting for what he knew was coming next.

"I've met your mother. She was an exceptional woman. I considered it a great loss for the monarchies of Europe when she left you father." Percy took another long drink. King or not, if Fred insulted his mother, Percy wouldn't react well. "I don't blame her for walking away. It's not easy to be thrown into all of this. But if you are going to be with Annabeth, I need you to be ready for it."

"Sir," Percy said, scooting forward to the edge of the couch, "my family has tried to push me out of this in every way they can. I speak to my uncle once a year at most, and it almost always ends with him reminding me that he doesn't think I should be a legitimate part of the royal family." Fred looked sympathetic, apologetic even. "But I've managed to stick around in this world because I'm good at being in it. And I like being in it."

"But will you like it as much when she is the center of that world?" Fred asked.

"What do you mean?" Percy asked. Annabeth was dazzling, but the Swedish queen would never exactly grab the same level of attention as a Kate Middleton.

"I've watched plenty of men struggle to cope with their wives getting all of the attention. Prince Phillip dealt with it. King Charles never coped well with Lady Diana. Even, and forgive me, your father could never deal with how much people loved your mother. From my perspective, that drove them apart more than anything."

That was news to Percy. All parties had always led him to believe his mother simply left, gave up on the monarchy and married a school teacher instead.

"I won't watch the same thing happen to my daughter," Fred said.

"If I'm lucky enough to marry your daughter," which he didn't know he would, they'd only been going out for three months, "that won't happen to her," Percy promised anyway.

"Are you sure? Could you give up your job, your career, your own attention to do whatever she needs, whenever she needs it?" Fred asked.

Percy nodded. "Can I be honest with you , sir?" Percy set his drink down as Fred nodded back. "I like my job just fine. I love New York. But --" Percy glanced back to where Annabeth was still cooing at the baby, "all I really want is to be a dad. And if my future is just raising your daughter's kids while shines on an international stage, that will be enough."

Percy could have fooled himself into thinking he'd rehearsed that little speech. He meant every word, but ... three months. That was a short amount of time to make a promise like that. But he meant it. And it seemed to work for Fred, who was smiling and nodding without anything else left to say. Percy picked up his drink and tried not to look triumphant. But he sure had the sprezzatura someone like him needed to survive in this world.

"There's something else you need to know," Fred said. "I won't be King forever."

"Nonsense sir, Annabeth assures me you're going to live forever," Fred smiled, "and she threatened to have me drawn and quartered if I ever suggested otherwise."

"Well, immortal as I may be, I don't plan to still be King at ninety-five." Fred leaned in closer to him. "When Annabeth has had her children, and lived her life a little more, when she feels she's ready, I'm going to abdicate. She knows this. The moment she says she's ready, I'll be stepping down."

Percy turned back to look at his girlfriend, and when he turned back to Fred, Percy found that his eyes were on his daughter too.

"I don't want her partner thinking they have decades and decades to mess around. Within the next fifteen years --" Fred gestured towards his daughter, drink still in hand, "-- that woman will be queen."

Percy stared at Annabeth, and he knew it was true. She wasn't paying attention to him, just mingling with her family like it was any other reunion. For all the privilege and wealth it provided, Percy didn't fundamentally believe in birth right monarchy. He wasn't sure he believed in God, and he certainly didn't think God picked out any of these people to lead any random patch of land in Europe. But Annabeth did seem uniquely born for it.

Annabeth caught Percy looking at her, and excused herself from the conversation she was having. She rejoined them then, Poppy still in her arms. She sat back down. "Sorry about that, I made a new friend." Annabeth picked up Poppy's chubby little arm and waved it at her dad, and then at Percy. "What are you talking about?"

"The slopes," her father said.

"They're so great here, Percy," Annabeth said. "There's a black diamond that --"

"--and how I'm sticking to the bunny slopes," Percy added. "I'd like to not break my neck this week."

Poppy reached out for Percy, and Annabeth handed her over as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Percy guessed he'd made a friend in Poppy too. It wasn't surprising. Babies tended to like him. He felt Poppy rest her head against his shoulder, and he rubbed her back and rocked her gently.

"You won't break your neck. No one ever gets seriously hurt skiing," Annabeth lied.

"Didn't King Charles once nearly die in a skiing accident?" Percy asked Fred.

"You know what, he did," Fred confirmed.

Annabeth looked back and forth between them, assessing them as a pair of traitors.

"Well, I'll be extra careful," she promised, picking up her previously abandoned drink.

"I'd really feel better if you stuck with Percy," Fred said.

"The buddy system," Percy said. "Anyway, I need you to keep me safe. I'm going to be hopeless up on that mountain."

"I haven't been down a bunny slope since I was nine," Annabeth said.

"It will be fun!" Percy promised.

Annabeth looked at him, and then her father. "Fine, I'll take it easy," she agreed. Fred looked shocked. "Poppy is asleep," Annabeth said. Her little head was resting on Percy's shoulder. Annabeth brushed some of her curls back gently, but the baby didn't stir. For a moment, Percy could imagine their future, their little blonde baby girl. Three months, he reminded himself, you're literally meeting her father for the first time. Chill. No babies yet. "I'll find Astrid," Annabeth said, standing and leaving them alone again, Poppy still snoozing on him.

"Take it easy?" Fred said, amazed. "I have never, not once in my life, heard Annabeth even suggest she will 'take it easy.'"

"Maybe we just need to team up more," Percy suggested. "But let's see what she actually does tomorrow. No guarantees she sticks to her word."

"It's progress nonetheless," Fred said as Astrid stepped in to scoop up Poppy. Percy missed her already.

"If you need a babysitter this week," Percy said, "I'm looking for any reason to get out of skiing."

"I'll keep you in mind," Astrid promised.

Annabeth sat down next to him.

"I'll leave you two alone," Fred said. "I have to make a call to my press team about our statement of support."

"Support for what?" Annabeth asked. She was playing dumb, Percy could tell.

"Your relationship announcement. Have you posted it yet?" Fred asked.

"I'll email Ines right now," Annabeth said with a wide smile. Ines managed her public, official social media. They'd had a perfectly tailored post ready to go for weeks.

When her father left their ear shot, Annabeth squeezed Percy in a tight hug from the side.

"You were perfect!" She said. "And I can't believe Poppy even fell asleep on you, oh my god, that was too cute!"

"Will you really go down the bunny slopes with me tomorrow?" Percy asked, putting an arm over her shoulder.

"Maybe just once or twice, until you get your ski legs," Annabeth said.

"Next vacation, we're going to Tahiti, and I'm teaching you to surf," Percy said.

"Oh a black diamond is too dangerous, but you're going to dress me up like a seal and put me in shark-infested waters?" She asked.

"They aren't shark infested, the sharks live there," Percy pointed out.

"Breaking and entering into the poor sharks' home?" Annabeth said, shaking her head. "Unbelievable."

"I thought you had some experience breaking and entering," Percy said. Annabeth looked at him confused. He twirled the end of her braid around his finger. "You remember, you broke in to those three bears’ home, ate some porridge, slept in their beds --"

"Oh fuck off," she said with a shove. "I'm adding Goldie-lock's jokes to the no-jokes list."

The list in question was: no dead dad jokes, no dead mom jokes, no muppet jokes, and now, no Goldie-locks jokes.

"Fine, fine, just ... never abandon me with your father again," Percy said. "I swear I think he's planning our wedding already, the way he was talking."

"Was it too much? I know he can be protective," she asked, a look of genuine worry on her face.

"No, it was fine, just ... I hope I can live up to expectations," Percy said.

Annabeth took his hand in hers. "He just wants me to be happy. And to not die in a tragic skiing accident."

"I'm adding jokes about you dying to our list, by the way," Percy cut in.

"Deal. But, if the expectation is me being happy then, you do meet it, Percy. I promise."

He lifted her hand and kissed it gently. "You make me happy too," he promised. "How many kids do you want?" He asked, pivoting quickly. Annabeth followed him without stumbling in the conversation.

"Four," she said, sure of her answer. "A girl. Sophia. Then, two years later, another girl. Ingrid. Then a boy three, maybe four years later. Frederick, obviously. And then another girl. You can name her."

Percy smiled. "Do I only get to name her if I'm the dad, or will you call me up in ten years to name her even if we break up?"

Annabeth's face was bright red. "Their father. Their father gets to name the fourth baby," she said, her face in her hands.

"Penelope," Percy said. "I always liked that name."

Her blush faded a bit. "I like it," she agreed. "And you always have been more of an Odyssey boy."

~

The first time he clumsily looked for porn on the internet, he was thirteen. He wasn’t confident enough to do this kind of thing at home in New York with his mom, because if she found out she’d want to talk to him about it, and that would be the end of the world. His dad wouldn’t notice, and if he did, he wouldn’t care. Percy had his own computer anyway. 

He liked boobs. He’d figured out how to look at pictures of those on Google images, but he was more curious now. What were you actually supposed to do when you saw a naked woman? What did a vagina look like? 

Maybe it was the worst sin of all time to do this on Easter, he thought, but Annabeth had been at the garden party today. And even though his aunt pulled him away from her, telling him to mind his manners and leave that poor girl alone, he couldn’t help but keep looking at her. She was looking at him too. She was pretty, and still taller than him. And he felt different. Good different. 

He knew someone could suck a dick. He’d heard his brothers talking about it. But this was the first time he’d seen any proof you could do the same thing to girls. What did you do? Just lick? For the next few months, Percy learned all the different things people called in and found all the good porn that had it. 

He was eighteen, and with a girl for the first time, in his dorm bed at Yale when she told him, no, you don’t just lick. Cally was patient and instructive, mostly because Percy was committed to improving. Eating a girl out was as great as he thought it would be. Much better than dick sucking, although he did still enjoy that. Cally didn’t taste like much. It wasn’t nearly as easy to get her off. Dicks were easy. Vaginas were hard. But she would just pet his hair when he did something good, and he’d keep at it. 

A few weeks later, they’d match with Harvard at a Mock Trial invitational. He was just a witness, but on their A team -- nearly unheard of. He was a quick thinker, good talker, and had big “baby seal eyes” (their team captain Beckendorf had said to him once) that were perfect for pleading with the judges. 

Harvard had a freshman attorney who he’d recognize anywhere. Annabeth was brutal on cross examination, but Percy held his own. In the end, they both scored well, both ranked, and both walked away with awards. Percy also walked away so pent up he had to jerk off in the hotel shower. He wanted to get under Annabeth’s skirt so bad, taste her all over. He wondered if royal pussy tasted different? 

It didn’t, really. 

Annabeth had only just come off her period the day before, so there was still something coppery about her taste that wasn’t there most of the month, but it didn’t bother Percy. Percy just sealed his mouth over her clit, flicking up on it with his tongue before sucking it a little. Annabeth’s legs were wrapped around his head, and every time he peaked up at her, her wide gray eyes were fixed on him. Her back bowed off the bed. 

But Annabeth did taste as good as she looked, and Percy wanted to devour her. 

“God,” she gasped. 

Percy’s nose was buried in her curls, his tongue working overtime. He could live the rest of his life here, breathing her in, making her happy, his mouth totally occupied with her and nothing else. 

His tongue circled her swollen clit again, before selfishly sinking lower to circle her hole, drinking in the taste of her, satisfied completely with how wet she was. Annabeth tugged on his hair, her way of telling him to stop tasting and get back to -- 

Percy flicked his tongue over her clit, running it from the bottom up before sealing his mouth around it to suck gently, and then a little harder. He rolled his tongue around it as he did, and Annabeth’s thighs started to tremble on either side of his head. His fingers dug into the soft fat of her ass, holding her cunt up against his face. His own pleasure came secondary to this, to her, a quivering puddle of sex under him.

Her nails dug into his scalp slightly as she let out a desperate “ fuckfuckfuck ” before cumming with a low groan. 

When her orgasm subsided, Percy kissed his way up to her face, pressing messy kisses into her tummy, then her breast, then her collarbones, before finally capturing her mouth. 

“Baby, can I?” He asked, adjusting himself to fuck her if she agreed. She nodded frantically. 

Percy slipped inside her without issue. His cock was nearly seven inches when it was hard, but it seemed to fit inside his princess perfectly. 

They made the kind of soft romantic love morning sex demanded: missionary, face-to-face, a lot of kissing and slow rolls of the hips. Annabeth dragged one of his hands to her bare breast, and he followed her instructions, pinching her nipple the way she liked, while she reached a hand between them to touch herself. 

When she came a few minutes later, Percy toppled towards the edge without much warning. He pulled out fast, stroking himself to completion and finishing on her belly. 

“You could have finished inside me,” Annabeth said. 

“You should have said so,” Percy said back, out of breath. 

“You should have warned me you were close,” she said. 

“I don’t get much warning when I’m with you,” he reminded her. 

That was the fucking truth. He’d had his first wet dream in years because of her, and while she was asleep next to him too, both of them naked. Full nocturnal emission and everything. He’d been horrified, but his little sexual deviant of a girlfriend simply declared him cumming on her naked ass in the middle of the night “pretty fucking hot.” 

Annabeth just smiled, triumphant, before asking: “Can you get me a towel, please? We’re already late for breakfast.” 

~

Breakfast was casual, just some food and pastries laid out for all the guests to enjoy at their leisure. Annabeth and Percy had managed to pull themselves together, trying to pass off their tardiness as simple jet lag. Annabeth had thrown on a cosy white sweater, and done her hair in basic pigtails, foregoing makeup or anything too fancy because their plan was to eat then hit the slopes. And they had a black tie dinner every night, which means proper makeup, hair, and a gown. 

She used to enjoy herself quite a lot at those kinds of things. She was good at being a princess. But recently, well … she was the same age her mother was when she died, and Annabeth didn’t seem terribly close to marriage or kids. Everyone tended to look at her as if she were already dead, or at least as though she’d already let her country down by not reproducing as quickly as possible. 

Annabeth found herself sticking to Percy instinctively. Part of it was a desire to prove something: see, I am trying. But more than that, she always gravitated towards him. Since she saw him again in Paris, she’d hardly been able to pull herself away from his proximity. Percy was a warmth she seemed to crave. Every part of her twisted up in knots when he was around and when he wasn’t. 

There was an attraction at first. That she expected. She’d known he was handsome (she’d stalked his Instagram thirst traps plenty in the past), but she soon discovered that he was remarkably genuine and kind. He certainly put an immense amount of trust in her to come out to her so quickly. Annabeth’s dad might be okay with her apparent (although private) bisexuality, but the Catholic Spanish royals who already disliked Percy? She knew from Percy just how unwelcoming they could be about his. 

And then there was the Spanish. She selfishly had let him go on for almost a week, whispering private compliments to her when he thought she couldn’t understand. 

Annabeth had been burned by power hungry men before -- some couldn’t handle her position in life, others wanted to exploit it. They all started out nice; they all started as someone Annabeth could picture a future with. But before long, they all ended up hurting her in one way or another. 

But Percy seemed so different. Or at least she hoped he was different, and that this time she didn’t end up clobbered.  

She and Percy seemed to simply. Fit. And not just during sex, although then too. For as often as she caught herself seeking him, she found him looking for her just as often. Magnetic. Even here, where propriety required a kind of polite difference, they were nearly hip to hip at the breakfast station, debating between themselves if the chocolate croissant or the raspberry danish looked more appealing.   

They piled eggs, bacon, fruit, and pastries onto their plates, each of them famished already from their morning excursion. Annabeth spotted Astrid on  one of the couches, and decided to sit next to her. 

“If we gossip in Swedish right next to you, will you be offended?” Annabeth asked Percy. 

He smiled. “No. I’ll probably take the chance to do my DuoLingo lesson. Don’t want to lose the streak.” 

“Is it actually helping?” Annabeth asked. 

Percy replied yes in decent Swedish, and she smiled. 

Astrid held onto Poppy while Annabeth and Percy finished eating, but once Annabeth set her plate down, she snatched Poppy away from Astrid. 

“[ I want one, ]” Annabeth said, holding her niece close.  

When Percy heard the Swedish start, he turned away and started his DuoLingo lesson. 

Astrid nodded subtly towards Percy. “[ Do think he’s the one ?]” 

Annabeth shrugged. “[ It still feels so new. When we’re in New York and living semi-regular lives, it feels like too much to think about marriage. But when we’re here. When we're dealing with issues of state …]” she sighed “[ yeah, I think he is .]” 

Annabeth glanced back at Percy, who had all of his concentration on his phone. “[ You don’t think he’s Hans from Frozen-ing me, do you? ]” Annabeth asked. 

“[ What ?]” Astrid asked with a smile. 

“[ Using me. Playing me ,]” Annabeth clarified. 

“[ Doesn’t seem likely ,]” Astrid said. 

Percy tapped her on the shoulder. Annabeth worried for a moment that the app lessons had worked, and he’d just caught her confessing to her dumbest relationship anxiety. But he just held up his phone. 

“Can you explain why my answer is wrong?” He asked. 

Annabeth looked at the screen, and carefully corrected Percy’s Swedish grammar, until he said: “Oh! Gotcha! Thanks, Princess.” And then he was back in his own little world. 

“[ He’s learning Swedish? ]” Astrid asked. 

“[ Yeah, he’s been working on it for two months or so ,]” Annabeth said. 

“[ Doesn’t seem like something Hans from Frozen would do,]” Astrid said with a smile. “[Seems like he’s serious about you .]” 

Annabeth glanced at him again, but only noticed Poppy reaching for Percy’s phone. 

“She wants your attention,” Annabeth said to Percy. Percy looked up and took Poppy from her. 

“You want my phone?” He asked. Percy rested his feet on the edge of the coffee table in front of him, his knees bent, and he rested Poppy on his thighs. He picked up her little foot, covered only in a baby sock, and pressed his fingers to the sole, as if he were dialing the phone. “Beep beep beep beep,” he said as Poppy giggled. “Hello?” He said, pressing her foot to his ear. “It’s for you,” he said, holding her own foot up to his ear. He shook her other foot with a “ring ring ring,” and “hello?” and repeated the bit over and over while she laughed. 

“[ Marry him, ]” Astrid said to her. 

“[ Be careful, he does know the basics ,]” Annabeth said back. But she was pretty sure her uterus was glowing. 

“[ Your father approved? ]” Astrid asked. 

“[ To us dating. Nothing else so far ,]” Annabeth said.

Astrid hummed. “[ When was the last time he did that ?]” 

Annabeth couldn’t answer her. Her father had never refused to approve of any partners. It was just that … well, she’d never introduced any of them to him before. He liked Piper, but she was pretty sure he didn’t catch on that they were actually dating at the time. That would have been the closest she ever got. 

“ [It’s only been three months ,]” Annabeth said, her voice quieter, although Percy was pretty wrapped up in Poppy. “[ We haven’t even said ‘I love you. ’”]

“[ It doesn't mean you two aren’t feeling it. But you should be thinking about it if you two are serious. People want to see you get married and have kids ,]” Astrid reminded her as if she didn’t know that already. 

“[ I’d like to be married with kids too. But I’d really love it if people stopped talking to me as if I were dying. I’m not. They’ve checked !]” Annabeth said. She’d had every scan, every test, even an ultrasound and her uterus and cervix were totally cancer-free. She wasn’t even considered high-risk. She had time. 

Astrid looked apologetic, and maybe she would have apologized if Poppy had not interrupted with the loud, unfortunate sound of a baby poop. Percy’s eyes were wide as the little baby farted on his lap for a good few seconds, but he didn’t flinch or look nervously for Astrid or a nanny. 

“Wow!” Percy said, rubbing her tummy. “Do you feel better?” 

“She hasn’t pooped in two days,” Astrid said, getting to her feet quickly. “Let me grab her before she gets you covered.” Astrid went into mom-mode, scooping up the baby, and holding her at a slight distance as she kept going. Within moments, it was a total blow out, but Percy’s lap was still clean at least.

Astrid looked a bit frustrated, but Percy just said: “Poppy? More like poopy ,” with a dumb grin that Annabeth couldn’t help but match. “Do you need help?” Percy offered. He was already starting to stand, offering to take the baby instead. 

The insecure and deeply suspicious parts of Annabeth’s mind wondered if this was part of the elaborate act, but then she remembered the way his little sister greeted him a few months ago. Percy had barely opened the door before the eleven-year-old was jumping up into his arms. She was a tall girl, just a head shorter than him and probably still growing, but Percy still caught her and lifted her up, gleefully spinning her around while he told her how much he missed her. 

“No, no,” Astrid said, grabbing the attention of the nanny. “We’ve got it covered.” 

And with that, Poppy, and their ability to play house, were whisked away for a thorough cleaning. 

“God, that baby is cute,” Percy said, scooting closer to her. 

“You’re going to be a great dad,” Annabeth said, and Percy beamed, “you’ve already got the jokes.” 

“Thanks!” He said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Any good gossip?” He asked. 

“Oh no, nothing too interesting,” Annabeth said, reaching for her coffee cup. “You know, you never told me how many kids you wanted.” 

“Oh,” Percy rested an arm over her shoulder. “Four. Three girls and a boy. I’d like one to be named Penelope, the other three, Mom can name. She’s doing all the hard work, after all.” 

Annabeth’s heart beat fast, and she struggled to hide her smile behind her mug. “You’re so full of shit,” she said. 

Percy squeezed her. “Maybe so,” he confessed. “I am serious about the name, though. I’ve always liked it, and my grandmother is Greek, and my name is Greek. I’m a classicist. It fits. But really, I just want to be a dad, so however many kids yo-- my wife wants to have, or is able to have, that’s fine with me.” 

Annabeth took another sip, happy to be his wife in this future scenario.

Chapter Text

Five years ago, Fred told her they were going to Greece. Some kind of private resort vacation, but the two of them would make plenty of time to see ruins and go to museums. She was told one of the Spanish prince’s would be there, one of the sons of the second son. “The one who’s close to your age,” were her father’s exact words.  

Annabeth wanted some time away with her dad to traipse through the Parthenon and Delphi, but, if she had to spend a few days on the beach flirting with Percy Jackson, well … she figured she could make that sacrifice. 

Imagine her disappointment when, on a beach in Greece, in her prettiest white sundress, she was lamely introduced to the third brother. Theseus, a man five years older than her, bearing a passing resemblance to Percy, one wrist in a cast, and who couldn’t keep up with her intellectually at all. After a few minutes of conversation, Annabeth was starting to get the impression that he was the kind of idiot who misinterpreted her witticisms as a sure sign of her stupidity. 

Still, Annabeth was as polite as she needed to be and determined to stay on the beach with him for the few hours they’d been scheduled to hang out. Her first -- and one of the most disastrous -- arranged meetings of her twenties. 

She kept a finger in her book, marking her spot and cracking it open at any small break in the conversation. As far as Annabeth could tell, they didn’t have anything in common except for dead moms, and that wasn’t the conversation she wanted to have. Theseus filled the air quickly, though, with his own dull stories and meager observation. 

Finally, he offered to actually make himself useful. 

“Can I get you a drink, Princess?” Theseus asked. 

“A chilled white wine would be lovely,” Annabeth said, turning towards the ocean and opening her book without another word. 

It wasn’t until she finished her book and noticed the sun hanging lower in the sky that it occurred to her he’d never come back. He’d left her alone on the fucking beach. Annabeth dropped her book in the sand in an indignant huff, before looking around for him, hoping to find him half-eaten by sharks or some equally good reason to have abandoned her here. 

“You alright miss?” A man about her age ( actually about her age, not twenty-eight) asked her. He had a round face, pink cheeks from the sun, and wine-dark curls. 

“I’m fine, but I think I’ve been left behind,” she told him. 

“That man must be pretty stupid to leave you behind,” he said. “I’m Dio,” the man said, offering her a hand. 

Annabeth shook it. “Annabeth,” she said back. The beach was private, connected to the resort, and crawling with resort and royal security, so she didn’t think twice about asking: “Would you like to get a drink?” 

She drank quickly, getting drunker than she had meant to. There was an open tab for Theseus de Todos, so Annabeth just added hers and Dio’s drinks to it. He probably wouldn’t be the one actually paying for it anyway. 

By the time she said goodbye to Dio and started to stumble back inside, the sun was setting. Annabeth stepped back into the heavily air conditioned resort in a much better mood. 

“[ Sweetie! ]” Her father was walking towards her, dressed in a royal, dignified, business casual. “[ There you are. I was coming to find you. Do you want to get dinner? ]” 

Annabeth nodded, trying to find some sober-ish part of her brain. “[ Sure -- ]” 

“[ Are you drunk ?] Her father asked, instantly concerned. “[ What did you and that Spaniard get up to ?]” 

Annabeth waved him away. “ [He left me alone on the beach for hours! You know, when you said it was the Spanish prince about my age, I thought it was Percy! ]” 

“ [Calm down, it’s okay. ]” He started walking her towards the elevator and up to her room. “[ So did I, if I’m being honest, ]” he said once the elevator doors closed. 

“[ Well, at least I wasn’t the only one deceived into spending time with that … flounder ,]” she said. 

"[ No, but -- ]” they reached her room, "[ why don’t you stay in tonight. I’ll send some food up for you .]” 

Dad or not, she couldn’t really argue with a king. And her bed looked so comfy. Annabeth turned on the shower and slipped out of her sun dress and bathing suit. She poked her shoulder. Definitely sunburnt already. 

Annabeth opened Instagram and saw a new story from Percy’s instagram (percyjax). He was in New York, at the Coney Island aquarium. 

Her official instagram (hrhambrittchase) was run by palace staff in charge of crafting her image. Anniebethc was her private account with a curated 120 followers. One of them was percyjax (a verified account too, although she wasn’t sure when that happened). 

Anniebethc

Met your brother today.

She sent the DM, still a little too drunk to feel shame. By the time she stepped out of the shower, she did have some regrets, but he’d also DM’d her back. 

Percyjax 

Which one? Sorry in advance though. 

Wait, are you in Greece? 

Oh. You met Theseus. 

I am very VERY sorry then 

Wrapped in her towel, she sat on the bed and typed a response. 

Anniebethc 

He didn’t make it into my top five European royals to be sure 

Percyjax 

He doesn’t even make it into my top three favorite brothers 

I’m sorry to have missed the trip 

I’ve been sent back to new york again 

Anniebethc

You were supposed to be here? 

That would explain why she and her father had been led to believe it would be Percy. 

Is everything okay with you and your  family? 

Percyjax 

I make choices they don’t approve of, they remind me I’m disposable  

Happens every few years or so

But it’s alright 

Anniebethc 

It’s not, actually. 

They shouldn’t treat you that way. 

Percyjax

Thanks princess 

This time i did earn it. I broke theseus’s wrist  

Anniebethc 

Oh 

I was wondering what happened 

Percyjax 

He was being homophobic. I didn’t have time for it. 

He thinks he’s stronger than me because he’s older

Anniebethc

Guess you proved him wrong

Any broken bones on your end

Percyjax

Just a black eye

Sorry for leaving you alone with him 

Anniebethc 

Don’t worry about it

I charged all of my drinks to his tab

Percyjax 

Oohhhhh so these are drunk princess DMs? 

Anniebethc 

Afraid so. 

I’ve already been sent to bed 

Actually, she was starving and hoped her food would arrive soon. 

Percyjax 

Well seems like you’re having plenty of fun despite the circumstances 

Her food arrived. A good spread of fresh Greek foods, with what were probably extra olives to her taste. She thanked the woman who dropped it off and asked about getting a bottle of wine. She just nodded and returned a few minutes later with a bottle and glass. 

Annabeth ignored her phone, forgot about the conversation with Percy for now, and flipped on The Lord of the Rings. She was done with her food by the time they got to Bree, and asleep, naked except for her bathrobe, by the time they left Rivendell.

She tactfully ignored Theseus for the rest of the trip.   

~ Three months before the ski trip~ 

Annabeth felt the wheels of her plane touch down, and she relaxed back into the plush private seat. She had a few important things to do in New York. Some fancy, private events (basically balls although calling them that was unfashionable these days), some work with the UN on climate change, some charity events. But really, she had carefully planned her year around the ability to spend the Fall in New York. Piper lived in the city now, officially moving away from LA to embrace New York with her. And now she had Percy to look forward to too. 

Their text conversations had been sweet, and he’d been charming. They hadn’t done anything precarious, like sext or send nudes, both not willing to see that on the front page. One scandal was enough for a while. So they’d just taken the time to get to know each other. His favorite color was blue; he studied classics because he grew up with his Grandmother Rhea telling him the ancient stories; he went by Percy because it was what his mother had wanted his first name to be, but she had been out-ranked by her father who had picked Pedro in the end; and he had secured them tickets for the ballet, like she’d asked.  

Annabeth 

Just landed 

Percy 

See you soon 

Her heart fluttered as she gathered up her things. They had dinner plans. He’d pick her up, take her to a nice, private omakase restaurant, and then, well, they’d see where the night took them. 

The perks of a private plane included not needing to wait to deboard. The door opened, the stairs were pushed up against the plane, and she got to walk down and into her private car. 

“Hi Erik,” she greeted her driver. 

“Your highness,” he said, opening the door for her with a smile. Which was odd. Because Erik was a very serious person who almost never smiled. 

Annabeth slid into the car, and then noticed a figure in the corner of her eye. 

“Hi,” Percy said, as she jumped back and screamed, startled by his presence. But then she melted into laughter and dragged herself closer to him as Erik shut the door. 

“What are you doing here?” She asked, pulling him in for a hug. She breathed deep through her nose, enjoying his already-familiar scent. He squeezed her back. 

“Didn’t want to wait until tonight to see you,” he said simply. 

“You missed me?” She asked, still not pulling away from him. 

“So, so much,” he said. 

Annabeth pulled away first, but only to kiss him as the car started to move. “How did you pull this off?” She asked. 

“Called in some favors and bent a few different national security protocols,” Percy said with a laugh. 

“Well, I’m glad you did,” she said. 

~

Everything had been going so well. They made out in the back of the car, before catching up a little. And then they hadn’t waited at all before tumbling into bed together. They made blissful afternoon love, slow and face-to-face so they could kiss the whole time, her legs wrapped around his hips as he moved. And then they’d napped together, and she woke up to him playing with her hair. 

So of course she’d get her period in the middle of dinner. A day early. Probably the travel and the time zone change, she figured. Thankfully it hadn’t ruined any clothes besides her panties, and she was always prepared. But he was already set to go home with her tonight, and this certainly interrupted things. 

Back at her place, he started to make a move, but she pulled away reluctantly. 

“I’m on my period,” she told him frankly. One of her little tests for men. 

“Oh, wait, when did that start?” he asked, realizing he’d been between her legs only a few hours ago and hadn’t noticed any bleeding. 

“During dinner,” she said with a sad smile. 

“Oh no, do you feel okay?” He asked, looking at her with worry in his eyes. “Do you want me to get you anything?” 

“I feel fine,” she promised. “I’m on birth control, so it’s usually not that bad. It’s just the first day or two that can be messy.” 

Percy nodded. “So what would be best? I can get you some ice cream, we can cuddle, watch a movie? I could go home, it’s whatever you want.” 

She shrugged. “Honestly, I’m still down to have sex, but I know that’s not really appealing …” She started to walk away from him, heading towards the kitchen for some water, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back in. 

“I’d still be down too,” he said, “it doesn't bother me.” 

“Really?” 

“Sure, just lay a towel down. Or don’t, I don’t care, it’s your bed,” Percy said with a smile. 

“Okay,” she said with a smile back. And he meant it. 

The next day, though, she did wake up cramping and moody, and Percy did get her some ice cream and offered some needed cuddles. 

Annabeth

You’re going to tell me I’m crazy 

But 

I’ve met the perfect man 

Piper

Don’t tell me

The spanish prince? 

who you fucked in paris 

The one with the shit garbage brother 

Annabeth 

The very same 

Piper 

What makes him perfect? 

Annabeth listed some of the basics. 

Piper

That’s great 

The bar for men is in hell

But he sounds great 

~

Annabeth was quietly fuming into her tequila soda as one of Percy's friends tried to talk to her over the music. From the corner of her eye, she could see Percy still dancing with some redheaded girl and guy who's name she recognized from Percy's vague references -- Frank, the ex-boyfriend.

She'd landed in New York last week, and in that time, she and Percy had hardly been separated. She already had a toothbrush and contact lenses case in his loft.

Percy was clear when he invited her out tonight that it was to meet some of his friends. She just didn't expect it to be an ex-boyfriend, a girl who was clearly in love with him (ex or not, she didn't know), and an older blonde man who simply wouldn't leave Annabeth alone.

"--and Percy is like a brother to me, but if you ever wanted to ditch him, I am single," the man, Luke said, with that overly familiar, friendly tone.

Annabeth smiled, mouth closed, eyes squinted, at him. "I find that hard to believe," she deadpanned.

Then, thank god, Percy was at her side, throwing an arm over her shoulder, his side a bit sweaty but not unpleasant.

"Leave her alone, or I'm telling my mom you were being disrespectful to women again," Percy threatened.

Luke just messed up Percy's hair before leaving the bar for the dance floor with a simple "Nice to meet you, Annabeth."

"Threatening a thirty-five year old with your mother really works?" Annabeth asked.

Percy shrugged and he signaled the bartender for two more drinks. "He tried to corrupt me when I was little. My mom Uno-reversed the whole thing, turned him into a somewhat respectable man."

"Heavy on the somewhat," Annabeth mumbled, drinking down the last of her drink before picking up the new one.

"Was he really bugging you?" Percy asked, more serious now.

"No, no," Annabeth waved it off, "it was fine really. I'd just rather be talking to you." She offered him a sweet smile, and he looked like he was about to kiss her, when Cascada's "Every Time We Touch" started.

"Percy!" The redhead, Rachel, said, running over and pulling on Percy's arm, yanking him away from Annabeth. "Come on! It's our song!"

Rachel had this swipe of blue paint on her cheek that Annabeth was sure was there on purpose. It was meant to look like an accident, of course. Some signal to the world that she was, in fact, artsy and bohemian, taking a break from long hours of painting to grace this bar with her presence. Rachel had a full face of makeup on under the paint, and the blue splotch was artfully emphasizing one of her cheekbones, on the side with the dimple. If Rachel had decided to flirt with her tonight instead of with Percy, Annabeth might have found the little touch cute, endearing even. But seeing this woman try and pull Percy away from her made the phony paint swipe nothing but a pretentious annoyance.

Percy pulled away from her. "In a second, Rache, let me just settle up here," Percy said.

Rachel left him alone after that, and Percy turned back to Annabeth. The sour look on her face must have been obvious. He poked her between her eyebrows, where she knew her face had scrunched up. Her make up had probably settled in the crease too. She hoped Percy couldn't see that in the dim bar.

"You okay?" He asked her.

"I just didn't expect half your friends to be in love with you, is all," Annabeth said.

"You mean Rachel?" Percy asked.

"And Frank," Annabeth added.

"Frank's with my cousin now, actually," Percy said, as if that helped. Annabeth just took an aggressive sip of her drink.

"Look, your brother once left me alone on a beach for hours. I'd like to not go 0 for 2 on being abandoned by infanti of Spain," Annabeth said.

"The King decided my dad's kids would get the infante title," Percy said. Annabeth just rolled her eyes and tried to turn her attention back to the bar, but Percy hooked his fingers under her chin and pulled her face back to his. He kissed her quick. "And I have no intention of leaving you alone here," he promised.

Annabeth caught Rachel looking at them over Percy's shoulder. So, Annabeth just threw her arms over Percy's shoulders and pulled him in for a kiss. Annabeth let the kiss go on for an inappropriate amount of time, but she was waiting for the end of the song.

When they pulled away, Percy's eyes were wide.

"Wow, um, do you want to get out of here?" He asked.

Annabeth finished her drink. "Sure do," she said. Percy closed the tab quickly as she got them a car, and they left without saying goodbye.

~

Annabeth pressed Percy against the door of his loft, not patient enough to actually get him inside. 

“You’re cute when you’re jealous,” Percy teased, his fingers grazing against the skin of her waist, under her shirt. 

“I’m not jealous, just impatient,” Annabeth said, reaching down between his legs to cup him over his jeans. 

“You’re a terror,” Percy said back. “Can you let me open the door, or should I fuck you in the hallway?” 

“Now that would be a sex scandal,” Annabeth said with a smile, letting him go just long enough for him to open the door. 

Percy flicked on the lights as she pulled him in close again, kicking the door shut behind her. 

“Fuck, Princess,” Percy said as her hands fumbled with the button of his pants. She’d learned in the last week or so that he was surprisingly strong, and he proved that again by hoisting her up and letting her wrap her legs around his hips as he carried her to the bedroom. “I don’t think I’ve ever needed a woman this bad in my life,” he muttered to her, before plopping her on the bed. 

“You need me?” she asked, holding him close to her by his shirt collar, a smirk on her face. 

“Sure do,” Percy said. 

Annabeth let go of his shirt. “Alright, then take off your clothes,” she said, leaning back to watch him as he stripped. His shirt came first, pulled off over his head. Percy ran a hand through his hair afterwards, messing it up to perfection, and using the moment -- she was sure -- to flex just a little. Annabeth tried to maintain a cool, vaguely satisfied look, but under her skirt, she was hot and desperate for him, so wet she could feel it. When was the last time she’d felt like this for anyone? Had a man ever made her feel this way? At least one she knew in real life? She wasn’t sure. 

Percy kicked off his shoes, and then pushed his pants down next, not bothering to tease her. His underwear came off with the pants, and he was left standing there completely naked as she looked him over. He wasn’t hard yet, but she could easily fix that. 

“What now?” He asked. 

Annabeth stood and kissed him again. As she did, she guided him to the bed, pressing him down onto his back, his head on his pillows. She kicked off her shoes, but left the rest of her clothes on as she climbed onto him, straddling his hips. Annabeth laced her fingers through his on each hand, before lifting his arms and pinning them above his head. 

“You can tie me up if you want,” Percy said, nodding towards his closet. 

“Oh?” Annabeth said. “Would you like that?” She smirked. 

“Sure would,” he promised. 

Annabeth slipped off of him. “Stay there,” she said, as she walked to his closet. 

“Blue cube on the top shelf,” he said. 

Annabeth looked in. There were a lot of different toys. Ropes, cuffs, butt plugs, dildos, vibrators. There were a few of her favorite things missing -- strap-ons, paddles, riding crops, gags -- but she could always bring her own in the future. 

“You certainly know how to have fun,” she said, pulling out a cord of blue rope. 

Percy shrugged on the bed. “It’s not too much, is it?” He asked. 

Annabeth just smiled and shook her head as she climbed back on top of him. “Give me your hands,” she instructed. She carefully and meticulously bound them together. 

“So, you’ve done this before,” Percy observed. Annabeth nodded. “Anyone ever tie you up, Princess?” 

She tightened the knot around his wrists until she was sure he wouldn’t be able to go anywhere. “They sure have, and if you’re lucky, I might let you do it,” Annabeth promised. Percy’s eyes were wide, hopeful, and oh so green. 

Percy’s headboard doubled as a shelf, dark wood and metal, with plenty of space between the boards and the metal bars for Annabeth to tie the length of rope around. She had noticed he didn’t keep much on these shelves, just a book or two, and now she wondered if this was why. 

Annabeth crawled up him, eventually straddling his face as she tied his arms up. 

“Fuck,” Percy moaned as he had no choice but to look up her skirt at her clothed cunt, “do you want to sit on my face?” He asked. 

She did, but more than that, she wanted him inside her. 

“Do you want me to?” She asked him. 

“Yeah, always, but it’s just that --” 

“What, baby?” she asked, looking down at him now that the ropes were secured. She could still see his eyes, her body positioned perfectly over his mouth on purpose. 

“You’re soaked,” he said, arching up to try and taste her, but falling short. 

Admittedly, she didn’t expect her arousal to be that obvious. In an effort to hold onto her dominant position, she did sit down on his mouth, forcing him to be quiet as he lapped at the damp fabric. It didn’t do much for her -- the sensation was dulled by the fabric between them, and his precision wasn’t great without being able to see where he was licking. But she was still able to run her hands through his hair, and mutter, “that’s nice, baby. You just need something to do with your mouth, don’t you?” 

Percy nodded under her. 

Annabeth glanced behind her. He was harder now, his cock growing to the impressive length she knew it could get to. “I want your cock inside me, Percy,” she said, pulling on his hair, “would you like that?” Percy just nodded under her. She slipped off of him and undressed quickly. It hadn’t taken her long to learn where he kept the condoms, and she produced one from his bedside drawer.  

Annabeth stroked him a few times, making sure he was fully hard, his cock warm and heavy in her hand, before she slid the condom over him. 

“Are you seeing anyone else?” She asked as she climbed back into his lap, lifting herself over his dick, but not letting him inside her yet. 

“Seeing anyone else? No, not dating or sleeping with anyone else,” Percy said, breathing hard as he watched her, waiting. He moved his arms as if he would touch her if he wasn’t tied up. “Why would I bother with anyone else when I have you?” 

Annabeth slid down, keeping her eyes on him as she did. He offered a welcomed and needed fullness, stretching her just right. She hadn’t left time for any foreplay, but just seeing Percy tied up and desperate had been enough to get her dripping for him. Finally, she was fully sitting on him. She let herself breath there for a moment, lavishing in the sensation and knowledge that he was hers and hers alone. 

“Good answer,” she said, as she braced herself, one hand on either of his shoulders as she started to rock back and forth. “I have another question. When you’re with a man --” Percy smiled, already a little embarrassed, as if to say I think I know what question this is. Annabeth hated being predictable, but she was curious. “Are you more of a top or a bottom?” 

“Does it matter?” He asked her. 

Annabeth leaned forward and kissed him, before sinking back down, a delightful drag inside her. “No, I was just curious about some things.” 

“Well -- fuck -- “ she started to ride him a bit faster, lifting up a bit as she rocked forward, and one hand going to her own breast to tease a nipple between her fingers. “I do both,” he said, his eyes fixed on her hand as it moved from her breast to her clit. 

“No preference?” Annabeth asked. 

“Oh, I -- fuck me, Annabeth -- “ he moaned as his head tilted backwards. Her name on his lips sounded sweet, and she felt herself clench around him, drawing out another moan. “If I’m with someone with a penis, I prefer to bottom, honestly.” 

“Oh?” She said, smiling. “Do you want to tell me more?” 

“Not much to it,” he said, “just think it feels good. You can’t tell me you don’t like feeling someone fucking you,” Percy said. 

“Guess not,” she said. She did feel like she could stay on top of him for hours, filled up with him, comfortable, satisfied. 

“It’s different with people with vaginas,” Percy added, and Annabeth smirked at what seemed to be a quick cover. “That’s a much more pleasant experience. They taste better, they’re self-lubricating, self-cleaning,” Annabeth hummed, amused. 

“Are you just saying this because you’re inside one now?” She asked, slowing her pace to torture him a bit more. 

“No. If it were possible, I’d stay inside you all day,” he said. 

Annabeth smiled. She tried to match the pace of her fingers to the roll of her hips over him, feeling something deep and pleasurable building up inside her. She’d love to cum on his cock, and then probably again on his face for good measure. 

“We might be able to make that happen,” Annabeth said, with a slow roll of her hips, “I know I’d enjoy it.”

“ Fuck,” Percy breathed, “you’re unreal.” 

Annabeth rested her used fingers on his face, cupping his cheek. “Oh, I’m real,” she promised, before slipping her fingers in his mouth. He sucked on them gently, before she put them back on herself. Percy had a soft, desperate look in his eyes that told her just how eager he was to please her. And it made her desperate to please herself for him. 

“Why were you asking all of that?” Percy asked, as she went back to lifting herself off him and then back down, finally letting herself really enjoy the length of him, moaning openly now at how good he felt buried in her. 

“I was wondering if you’d maybe enjoy fucking me,” she said. 

Percy laughed. “Well, I’m so confused as to what we’ve been doing so far.” 

“In the ass,” she added. 

Percy bucked his hips up into her now, taking what little control he could. Annabeth let out a loud, uncontrolled scream at the welcomed sensation. She always appreciated a rough, deep fuck. Next time they slept together, she’d try and coax him into just bending her over anything but the bed and slamming into her, desperate and feral. 

“Has anyone ever done that to you before, Princess?” He asked. 

Annabeth shook her head. “You’re the first one to do anything with that hole,” she said. “You’ve piqued my curiosity.” 

“Well, I’m happy to indulge it,” Percy promised. 

“I was also wondering --” she was getting close now, as her fingers rolled desperately over her clit, “if you’d like me to fuck you. I’ve got a few strap-ons.” 

“Would you like that, Annabeth?” he asked. 

She pitched forward again, her body supported by her hand on his chest. She managed to kiss him, before riding him hard and fast, desperately searching for release. The increased speed had Percy moaning some warning to her. 

“I would like that a lot,” she said. “Oh god, Percy --” he bucked up into her again, and then again. Without a grip on her hips, it was a bit sloppy, but she managed to match his pace, before finally, finally! finding some sweet relief in her orgasm. 

Percy followed a minute later, and she rode him through it, enjoying the sweet extra pleasure of him finishing inside her. She’d never been confident enough in a boyfriend to let them hit it raw, but if things kept working out with Percy, she just might let him be the first. 

They stayed there for a moment, just breathing together, her hands still on his chest, his eyes fixed on her. When his soft cock slipped out of her, she took that as the sign to slide off of him. Wordlessly, she untied him, and he groaned as he finally let his arms down. Annabeth undid the binding and dropped the ropes on the self above them. Maybe it was convenient for something. 

With his hands free, Percy took off the condom, and dropped it in the trash next to his bed. He was a real forward thinker sometimes, she liked that about him. 

“Come here,” he said, finally, pulling her into his embrace, before laying down with most of her laying on top of him. His body heat kept her warm as her sweat started to cool and the room started to feel chilly. 

“That was amazing,” Annabeth said. 

“Really, really was,” Percy agreed. “What else are you into?” He asked. 

She smiled and snuggled into his side. “Being under the blankets,” she said. Percy laughed and moved a bit until they were able to get under the duvet and sheet. “You could tie me up too. You could spank me,” he grabbed her ass under the covers and she laughed. “I don’t usually submit easily,” she warned. 

“I wouldn’t expect you to,” Percy promised. “But you like doing that part too?” 

“I do,” Annabeth said. “Do you like it the other way?” 

“Bi, verse, and a switch,” Percy said, “I’ve never picked a side in my life.” 

Annabeth kissed him, and the kiss lingered, her body and mind suddenly desperate for that kind of romantic intimacy. When she pulled away, she said, “You’re pretty much the perfect man.” 

That made Percy smile his sweet, shy, real smile, and he turned his face away from her just a little as he blushed. “Thanks,” he said. 

“Bring your face back here,” Annabeth said, “I want to keep kissing you.” 

Percy was a pretty good listener. 

~

The next afternoon, Luke called Percy, insisting that he needed to borrow something from Percy right away. No it couldn’t wait. Annabeth was on the couch reading a book she’d borrowed from Percy’s shelf when the blonde let himself in, bowing properly to her. 

“It’s in my bedroom,” Percy said, “on the desk.” 

It was some kind of hard-drive, video game … she hadn't been listening. Percy made her pancakes that morning, and they were so delicious she really hadn’t heard anything he said for about ten straight minutes. Percy was sure Luke was only there to spy on them anyway. Annabeth was sure he was there to try and talk his way into being their third, a hypothesis Percy rejected. But her legs were over Percy’s lap, and his fingers were tracing up her calf to her thigh, and then back down. And Luke looked a little flustered. 

But he went into the bedroom, and came back out with whatever he needed in hand. 

“[ Dude, did you tie the princess up last night ?]” Luke asked Percy in Spanish. Percy's face flushed as they both realized they definitely left the rope out on the empty bed frame shelf, where there’d be no hiding what it was used for. 

“[ She tied me up, ]” Percy confessed as Annabeth said, [“ The princess speaks Spanish .]” 

“Ah, well, this has been fun, good to see you both,” Luke said before taking off out the door.

~

Annabeth was on her knees, balancing on Percy’s soft mattress, her hands bound in front of her, a coy smile on her face. But Percy was staring at her, a bit disappointed. 

“What?” Annabeth asked him. She rested back on her heels. “Am I not appealing enough?” She asked, knowing he always considered her utterly irresistible, especially tied up and naked. 

“You’re certainly appealing,” Percy promised. “But what was the one thing I asked you to do?” 

“Relax,” Annabeth said, stretching her arms up over her head and arching her back. “Trust me, I’m very relaxed.” 

Percy shook his head. He grabbed a condom from the drawer before sitting at the head of his bed, hard cock out. He slipped the condom on before gesturing for her to come over with two fingers. 

Annabeth obeyed, an eager smile on her face as she did her best to move towards him. 

“Last week, you said you’d like me to be inside you all day ,” Percy recalled. Annabeth nodded. “Well, want to see how long you can last?” He offered, pulling her into his lap and lining himself up with her. 

Annabeth looked down between their bodies, then back up to Percy’s waiting gaze. She put her bound hands over his head, her arms now circling him. 

“You want me to keep it warm for you?” She asked. 

“Yes, just sit there, full and comfortable, for as long as it takes you to relax ,” he explained. Annabeth suddenly felt a bit stupid, realizing then that “relax” was code for submit to him, properly submit. Let her mind drift off, do what she was told, behave herself. That wasn’t usually her style. It hardly matched her personality, and being a young woman in the public eye, it wasn’t the kind of thing she wanted to become known for, or a vulnerable position she wanted to leave herself in. But she’d found something about Percy to be remarkably trustworthy, and if he was willing to submit so nicely to her as a public figure himself, then she could at least make an effort. 

Annabeth nodded, before sliding down, taking inch after inch inside her. It was tempting to move right away, to give into the carnal urge to ride him until he finished deep and panting. She loved having that control over men, to make them beg her for it, desperate and horny for what she offered them. 

“Are you going to let me take care of you?” Percy asked her, placing a warm hand on her bare back, rubbing slow circles in time with her breathing. Annabeth felt deliciously full, but her lower body quivered, anxious for some movement, that pleasure she knew came with fucking Percy. But she just nodded. 

“Yes, Percy, you can take care of me,” she promised. Annabeth couldn’t help it. She rocked her hips once, twice, and Percy groaned, before grabbing her ass and pinching the fat. Annabeth whined as he stopped her. “I’m taking care of you, Annabeth. So that means you’re not going to move at all. You’re going to rest your head on my shoulder --” she did -- “and breathe.” 

“Is this all you want?” Annabeth asked, her head heavy on him, her body slumped forward, hiding her breasts from him, his dick warm and hard inside her but certainly not finding any satisfaction. 

“Yes,” he promised, rubbing her back, “this is what I want.” 

Annabeth thought about ignoring him and moving anyway until he decided to tie her down and spank her. But there was something pleasant about this. She took a few deep breaths and allowed her body to adjust to the idea of sitting still for a moment. With her head still on his shoulder, she just breathed in his scent; he always smelled a bit like the ocean and always very clean. 

Percy reached up to her hair and let it down, resting the clip that had held all of her curls up on the bed next to them. He started to comb his fingers through her hair, carefully avoiding knots and tangles. He was petting her, she realized, stroking her hair gently and repetitively. But it felt nice. It gave her mind a different sensation to focus on instead of just her unsatisfied need between her legs. 

Annabeth took another deep breath, leaning more of her weight onto him then. 

“That’s it,” Percy said in a soft, comforting voice, “good girl.” 

Annabeth tried to protest, but the noise that left her was more of a desperate whimper. 

“It’s okay,” Percy promised. He was still so hard inside her. He must be absolutely aching. But he was letting her just sit there, full, calm, and relaxed. 

“Just let me take care of you, Annabeth,” Percy said, almost pleading. “I’ll keep you safe, okay? You don’t need to worry about anything.” 

Minutes passed like that, but she couldn’t tell how many. Annabeth’s brain felt light, as if she were on the edge of sleep, but her lower body was wide awake and electric, aware of its base and primal need to get fucked. It was a strange sort of floaty, happy place. What little brain power she felt still available to her registered finally what kind of dom he was -- totally gentle. Of course he was. 

“Percy, please,” she whispered. When was the last time she’d begged a partner for something. 

“Do you need to cum, Princess?” Percy asked. 

Annabeth nodded, head still against his shoulder. She thought he might reach between them, or let her start riding him. But he simply lifted her off his cock (she could have cried at the loss) and pressed her down onto the bed on her back. 

Annabeth wanted to grab at him and pull him back into her. Without him now, she felt empty, and aching worse than before; she’d felt close to the edge of pleasure while he’d been inside her, but now, she just felt empty and unsatisfied, and, pathetically, a bit lonely. But she couldn’t grab him; her hands were still bound. Percy pressed them up over her head, but he didn’t tie her down to anything. 

“I’m still taking care of you,” he reminded her, pressing a kiss to her lips, then one on each breast, “so you’re going to leave those there. You’re not going to move,” Annabeth nodded, hoping she could actually listen, “and if you need something,” he kissed her lips again, “you’ll use your words, okay?” 

“Okay,” she agreed. Percy kept his face close to hers as he slipped two fingers inside her. Annabeth moaned at the feeling, but frowned at the choice. 

Percy smiled as he kissed the frown off of her. “You that desperate for it, baby? Sitting on it for a while wasn't enough?” He asked. 

Annabeth didn’t know what felt more humiliating: the idea of admitting, yes, she did absolutely need him to fuck her, she’d never needed someone so bad, or trying to deny it when her desperation must be painted on her face. “Percy --” she moaned, her embarrassment thrilling her, and his fingers grazing a spot inside her she knew made her see stars. 

“ Oh ,” Annabeth gasped, nodding even though he hadn’t asked, to let him know yes, there. The heel of Percy’s palm pressed into her clit, and her hips started to grind against it. 

“That’s it, Annabeth, enjoy it,” Percy said. “No more thinking,” he slipped a finger from his other hand into her mouth, and she sucked on it instinctively, “no worrying, just let me make you feel good.” The now-wet finger slipped under her to between her ass cheeks and slowly pressed into her other hole. It was a slight stretch, not painful, but electric, a satisfying little addition to the feeling of fullness she craved. pleasure rolled over her in waves, close to an orgasm, but not quite there yet. Annabeth’s back arched a little, which put more pressure on the spot inside her.  

“I --” she stammered as Percy kept the pace. Just relax she told herself, letting her eyes close and focus only on the feeling. It was no use trying to regain control or pretend like she’d had any to begin with. All she could do, wanted to do now was chase her orgasm. She was close, a building sense of heat and need low in her belly. All she needed to do was relax, lean into it, and let it go. 

“Percy, I’m … oh,” his fingers curled inside her again. And then again, a steady, perfect pace. “I’m … “ A desperate scream finished her sentence for her as her orgasm washed over her, cresting like a wave. It felt new, somehow, unlike any orgasm she’d had before. As she caught her breath, she became vaguely aware that everything under her was a bit damp now. 

“Shit,” Percy groaned above her. Annabeth opened her eyes, and saw that the condom was gone, and Percy was leaning over her, his weight supported on one hand as he touched himself. Usually the sight of a man touching himself did little, if anything for her, but seeing Percy’s sweet, flustered face, desperate to cum just at the sight of her orgasm brought some additional pleasing aftershocks. 

Percy panted over her for a moment, lasting only seconds really before finishing on her tummy, his very welcome mark on her. 

He collapsed down onto his forearm, not putting his full weight on her, but hiding his head in her shoulder. “Sorry,” he said, “but you didn’t tell me you could do that .”

Annabeth’s mind returned to her, and she finally put things together. She came, alright, squirting all over his comforter, leaving a large wet spot under them. “I made a mess,” she said, with a surprised smile. “I’ve never done that before,” Annabeth confessed. 

Percy laughed and kissed her cheek. “No way,” he said, obviously not believing her. 

“‘S true,” Annabeth said. “Guess I was finally relaxed enough.” 

Percy smiled. “Well, I’ll have to figure out how to keep you relaxed.” 

“Oh, were you into it? I couldn’t tell,” Annabeth teased. But Percy blushed, a really embarrassed look painting over his face. So Annabeth looped her arms over his head and pulled him down for a kiss. “I like driving you crazy, and I like when you cum on me,” she promised with a kiss. 

Percy kissed back. “Let me get you a towel, though,” he said, retreating to the bathroom for a washcloth as his cum continued to cool on her.     

  ~ Two months before ~

The leaves were starting to change. Annabeth had a free afternoon to spend in the park, and Percy had a lunch break to spend with her. She’d brought sandwiches, picked a nice grassy spot, and waited for him to join her. Annabeth had a pair of sunglasses and a hat on after getting spotted by a few different people who took her picture from a distance. Annabeth didn’t really consider herself someone noteworthy, at least not in the States, and not when she wasn’t in a fancy gown. But it happened sometimes. While she waited for Percy, her socials updated with people posting the picture. 

[@thecoolestpersonnatalia] 

Anyone else getting a Princess Diana vibe? 

Annabeth looked at her outfit. She was in her gray Harvard sweatshirt and a pair of black leggings. And she was blonde. And a princess. But that was where the comparison stopped. 

A few minutes later, someone called out: “Oh my god, it’s Princess Diana!” 

Annabeth turned to find Percy striding towards her. He joined her on the picnic blanket before stealing a kiss. 

“Were you on Twitter or do you just also think I look like her today?” Annabeth asked, unwrapping her sandwich. 

“Was on Twitter,” Percy said ripping into his sandwich, “but I do think that’s the exact same sweatshirt.” 

“Well yeah, why do you think I bought it?” She asked. 

“I just assumed it was because you did actually graduate from Harvard. Maybe it’s not the best Ivy, but --” Annabeth gave him a playful shove. 

“What would someone from Yale know about a decent Ivy?” Annabeth teased. “How are the old things?” 

“Still old, getting older,” Percy said. 

“And I still can’t touch it?” Annabeth asked. 

“Afraid not,” Percy confirmed. 

“Damn,” Annabeth said, handing Percy her pickle. “Well, maybe one day …” 

“But not today,” he said. 

“No, but today is special for other reasons,” Annabeth said. 

“Oh?” 

“Any guesses?” She asked. 

Percy took a big bite to stall. “Hmmm,” he said, leaning his weight back on one hand. “You’re birthday is in the summer, so not that --” 

“And if you’d forgotten my birthday, you’d know by now,” Annabeth teased. 

“Halloween isn’t for weeks, there were no events on the calendar … I give up,” he finally conceded. 

“It’s been one month since I landed in New York,” Annabeth said. 

“Oh! Yeah!” Percy said. “What an awesome month.” He was still smiling when he kissed her, making it less of a proper kiss and more just their lips touching for a moment. 

“It’s been really great, Percy,” Annabeth said. She shifted her legs a little bit, hoping they didn’t fall asleep. “I wanted to ask … what … are we?” She could have found a less cliche way of asking but that would suffice. 

Percy took her hand. “I was actually going to ask … Do I need, like, royal permission to ask you to be my girlfriend, or is that just up to us?” 

Annabeth smiled wide. “Up to us,” she said. Percy kissed her again, properly this time, one hand on her back, the other gently resting at the base of her neck. “I should say,” Annabeth said as she pulled away, “because of my position in the world, the palace will want to run an actual statement on our relationship before we say anything.” 

“Okay,” Percy said. 

“And before they release the statement, you need to meet my dad,” Annabeth warned. 

“Alright, should we head to Sweden now? Do a facetime?” Percy asked.

“No, no, there will be a time, probably in a few months” Annabeth said. “They don’t want to excite the public too soon, and we don’t want to bring that kind of attention to ourselves so early. We can still tell our private circles, obviously, and attend events together.” 

“You’re over-explaining,” Percy said, kissing her forehead. “I get it, I don’t mind,” Percy promised, “just breathe, I’m not going anywhere.” 

Annabeth rested her head on his shoulder and took a few deep breaths. “Thanks baby,” she said. 

They just sat and enjoyed the sounds of the park for a few minutes, before Percy was due back. 

“I’ll walk with you. I might wander the museum for a while,” Annabeth said, backing up the trash and blanket. 

Percy walked her to the steps before kissing her goodbye, and doubling back to the entrance he actually used to get to the staff-only section he worked in. Annabeth got her ticket and stopped by the gift store first, picking up a sketchbook and some pencils. 

In another life, she probably would have been a designer of some kind, architecture or interior design. Annabeth had managed to cram enough art classes into her Harvard schedule to earn an art history minor, but what she needed to study was very different from her passions. In the end, that was all she could squeak out of her degree. But she’d always enjoyed drawing and crafting when she could make the time for it. She was certainly out of practice now, but she did her best to sketch the grave marker of a young girl. 

Annabeth looked over the map. The museum was enormous. She hadn’t been here in years, despite all her time in the city. If only she knew someone who could point her in the right direction. 

Annabeth 

This place is huge. 

Any suggestions

In Greek right now

Percy 

European paintings 

Object number 17.120.204 

Title: Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d'Ognes 

Annabeth didn’t remember that painting off the top of her head, but she avoided looking it up, determined to just find it. That was if she could find the European painting section at all. 

Annabeth 

If we’re ever in Spain, will you take me to see Las Meninas

She texted as she tried to find her way through the Medieval art. 

Percy

Sure 

And we will go to Spain 

Gotta introduce my girlfriend to that side of the family sometime 

Annabeth smiled, giddy like a teenager, before finally finding the right door. 

Finding the painting was no easy feat either, but she did take her time looking through the rest of the collection. Many she recognized right away, and she spent a good deal of time looking at The Death of Socrates. She tried to really test herself and do just a study on his hand, but it was so bad, she turned to another page and drew the cup of hemlock instead. 

Annabeth moved into the next room, and saw a painting of a young woman, blonde curly hair pulled up, a sketch pad in her lap. Annabeth gestured to the painting with her own sketchbook as if to say me too, girl. The woman’s face looked out, staring at the looker head on, compelling Annabeth to match her gaze. 

Annabeth peaked at the placard next to the painting. Object number 17.120.204. Title: Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d'Ognes. 

She smiled and stepped back to snap a picture of it. 

Annabeth

Why this one? 

Percy

Don’t know

She just 

Reminds me of you 

~

Annabeth could tell that Piper was a bit (a lot) tired of hearing about Percy, so she was making her best effort not to talk about him that much. But the painting story was too cute not to share. They were running together through Prospect Park, much closer to Piper’s Brooklyn apartment than Percy’s uptown loft. 

“That is very cute,” Piper agreed, although she didn’t seem overly enthusiastic. 

“You don’t seem that impressed,” Annabeth observed. “Come on! That has to meet some standard of yours! This man was walking through the Met, saw a great work of art, thought it reminded him of me, and made a note of it! That’s something.” 

“It’s a painting of a blonde woman who likes art,” Piper said back, “at the place where he works. Look I’m not saying it’s not sweet, I’m just saying … “ Piper stopped running and Annabeth paused too, “don’t get your hopes up. Actually, they’re already so up, I need you to bring them back down.” 

“Ugh, Piper --” Annabeth started. 

“I’m serious! I don’t want to watch you get hurt again --” 

“-- Piper --!”

“No! You were head over heels for Connor and then he dumped you after three months, and it devastated you. Harry fully love bombed you for two months just to try and get to your dad to improve his business dealing --” 

“Percy is different --!” 

“How do we know? How do we know he’s not full on Hans-ing you right now?” Piper asked, a very serious look on her face for someone who, in Annabeth’s opinion, had just said something very silly. 

“Hans?” She asked. 

“Hans from Frozen . You know ‘oh Anna, if only there were someone out there who loved you.’” 

Annabeth rolled her eyes and started running again, fed up. Piper caught up to her. 

“Hans was able to do that to Anna because she was sixteen and alone,” Annabeth said. “I’m twenty-eight and --” 

“Going through a serious dead mom-induced existential crisis,” Piper finished for her. 

That was a real low blow, one that had Annabeth stopping in her tracks before pivoting to run the other direction as she called back, “Fuck off, Piper.” 

Piper caught up fast though. “Annabeth I’m sorry, that was uncalled for --” 

“Sure was --” 

“But I just don’t want to see you get hurt again!” 

Annabeth stopped running again. “I don’t want to get hurt either, okay. I’m trying not to be stupid about this. But it’s hard to hear you out when you haven’t even met him yet. You keep flaking on us --” 

“Sorry.” 

“-- so I’d rather you not talk shit about him until you meet him. If you meet him and hate him, or get a bad vibe, I’ll listen to you, I promise. But can you just … be excited for me? Just for right now?” 

Piper nodded. “Sure, sure I can do that. I won’t talk shit about Percy until I meet him,” she promised. 

“Great,” Annabeth said, “because there’s this thing at the MoMA in a few weeks, and Percy’s cousin needs a date.” 

~ one month before ~ 

The MoMA event was actually Percy’s invitation. They had a large Picasso collection on display, some from their own collection, but many on loan from various Spanish museums, including G uernica, which Annabeth was particularly excited to see. He and Jason had been chosen to represent the family. Jason, because he was the spare and way more reliable than Thalia, and Percy because … well, he lived in New York, was handsome, and was generally well liked. But word had gotten out that Annabeth would be his plus one. And Annabeth had secured movie star’s daughter and stage actor, Piper McLean to entertain Jason for the evening. Thankfully, the two actually seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. 

Percy stepped out of the car first, and then held out a hand to help Annabeth, who gracefully covered her chest with her clutch as she did. Her dress tonight was long and silver, complimenting her eyes, and the diamond jewelry she wore. They didn’t hold hands as they walked past the few flashing cameras, although they did both smile and wave. 

“Should we expect more diamonds in the near-future, Princess?” One of the photographers yelled. Annabeth simply smiled, and let him take his photo. 

Once inside the building, they moved out of the way to wait for Jason and Piper to make their entrance as well. 

“Do you think they’re getting along well enough that we can ditch them for most of the night?” Percy asked. 

“Well, let’s see,” Annabeth said, turning her focus to the door as Piper and Jason entered. Piper spotted her, smiled, and the two walked off in a different direction. Either she really liked Jason, or she was letting Annabeth enjoy her night alone with Percy. Or both. 

“I thought you said she had incredibly high, almost impossible to meet standards,” Percy said, taking her arm as they headed towards the gallery. 

“She also has a crippling weakness for blondes that I forgot to mention,” Annabeth said with a smile. 

“Sounds rough, what must that be like?” Percy wondered, as his eyes trailed the gorgeous blonde he had recently found himself completely addicted to. 

Later that night, when the dress had come off, Annabeth’s phone rang. 

She was on top of Percy, he was inside of her. She looked at it anyway. “It’s Piper,” Annabeth said, answering it. 

“Hello?” Annabeth said as she maneuvered off of him. “No, it's fine. Are you okay? Alright. Is that it? This whole conversation could have been an email,” Annabeth said with a laugh as she hung up. 

“What was that about?” Percy asked, as Annabeth got back on top of him, resuming her pace to Percy's complete delight. 

“She wanted to let me know that she and Jason did not sleep together, but they did go to a midnight Rocky Horror show. She likes him a lot, and, most importantly, she likes you ,” Annabeth said. 

Percy held onto her hips. He hadn’t actually realized that Piper didn’t like him, but he tried not to dwell on it. “Well, good, I’m glad.” 

~

Annabeth started to doze as soon as they finished, exhausted from the day, the event, and the sex. Some barely awake part of her brain tried to get her to stand up and pee, take out her contacts, and take off her makeup, but her tired legs simply refused to move. But then she felt Percy slip out of the bed. She reached for him lazily, but he didn’t notice. 

Annabeth cracked her eyes open and spotted him on the other side of her room, where they’d left her dress. He picked it up carefully and hung it in her closet, before returning the tiara she’d worn to its appropriate box. Annabeth smiled as her eyes shut again. She woke up a few minutes later to something damp on her face. Percy was next to her on the bed, gently taking her makeup off with a wipe. Annabeth pretended to be asleep for a few more moments, letting Percy selflessly do this nice thing for her. But he paused when he got to her eyes. She could hear him muttering to himself, not sure what to do about the false eyelashes. 

Annabeth smiled, giving away that she was awake. “It’s alright,” she said, reaching up her arms to pull him down on top of her. 

“I didn’t mean to wake you up,” Percy said. 

She just kissed him. “It’s okay,” she promised. “You’re too sweet.” 

“I couldn’t figure out the eye lashes,” he confessed. 

Annabeth just peeled them off and dropped them on the nightstand. “They’re reusable,” she said, gently nudging him off of her. “I should put them away and get ready for bed.” 

She looked in the bathroom mirror and saw that he’d successfully gotten pretty much everything except her eye makeup. 

As Annabeth went back into her bedroom, she recognized a steady, contented feeling inside her, a sense that she was doing the right thing and on the right track. When she spotted Percy under the covers, still awake and waiting for her to join him, that confidence bloomed into something more precious and less stable, but certainly very real. 

“Are you okay?” Percy asked, realizing Annabeth had stopped walking towards the bed. 

“I --” I love you, she thought. “I’m fine,” Annabeth told him. 

As she snuggled into his side she only became more sure of what she felt, and more nervous about what it might mean for her, for them, for her future, and the future of an entire nation. But Piper liked him, and thank god for that, because if she hadn’t, Piper would probably just kill Annabeth when she found out she’d fallen in love. 

~ 

Annabeth had blindfolded him, which he would have been into if they were inside, in bed together, messing around. But he was dressed for a date and being pushed into a car. 

“Should I be nervous?” Percy asked as they started driving. 

“No,” Annabeth assured him, taking his hand. 

“Am I dressed nice enough?” She’d said it was casual, so he’d worn jeans and a flannel shirt, but he couldn’t imagine what casual place might be a surprise. The Mets weren’t playing. 

“Yes,” Annabeth said. “Don’t freak out, it’s fine.” 

“I am a little nervous that being blindfolded in a randomly jostling car is going to make me throw up everywhere,” Percy said. He was pretty sure they were going over a bridge. 

“Well, if you do feel pukey, just let me know. I’d rather ruin the surprise than be thrown up on,” Annabeth said. He had to agree. 

Percy did manage to make it to the destination without vomiting or getting too car sick. Annabeth helped him out of the car, stood him in a specific spot, and then pulled down the blindfold with a dramatic “Tada!” 

Percy’s eyes fixed on the blue and yellow building. Well, really, he couldn’t miss it. It was massive. He couldn’t help but laugh, leaning his weight on her half in a hug, half crushing her as he caught his breath. She was laughing too, and saying something about “an authentic Swedish experience.” 

“This is perfect,” Percy said, taking her hand and pulling her inside the Ikea. 

~

“Have you ever actually built anything from Ikea?” Percy asked her as they wandered through the showroom. He picked up a reasonably priced spatula and used it to bop her on the head. She scrunched up her face in faux-annoyance and bopped him back with a ladle. 

“Babe, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve done my own laundry, what do you think?” She asked. 

“Me neither. I did put together my baby sister’s crib, but that was from Wayfair I think,” Percy told her. “Should we pick something out and try to build it together?” He asked. 

“That’ll really put the relationship to the test,” Annabeth joked. 

“I think we could do it,” Percy said. 

“Alright, well, if you see something you want for the loft, we can give it a try,” she said with a smile. 

They kept walking, heading through bathroom and kitchen displays. Annabeth ran her hands over the brass hardware of a kitchen cabinet on display.

“Have you heard the joke about the Swedish prime minister?” Percy asked. 

Annabeth shook her head. “No? What is it?” 

“The CEO of Ikea just got elected as Prime Minister of Sweden,” Percy started. 

He could see she wanted to ruin the joke by saying no he didn’t, but she restrained herself, and played along. “Oh?” She asked. 

“Yeah, but he’s still assembling his cabinet,” Percy finished, a big, dumb smile on his face, awaiting her reaction. It got the heavy sigh he expected from his dad jokes. The heavy sigh was sometimes more satisfying than a laugh. This was one of those times. 

They kept moving, making it to the bedrooms. Percy tried to practice his Swedish by reading out the names of furniture, and then listening carefully as Annabeth corrected him. 

“Was this whole date an excuse to get me to practice?” Percy asked. 

“No, it’s mostly about meatballs,” Annabeth said. “Try this one,” she said, pointing to the brimnes . Percy gave it his best effort. “That was really good!” Annabeth said, kissing his cheek. Percy felt prouder of himself than maybe he should have. 

Percy was enjoying himself; he loved spending time just wandering around places with Annabeth, holding her hand, and laughing as they went along. He knew he could easily spend hours with her, magnetically attached to her as if the universe were forcing them together. But all of those feelings were starting to feel different lately. They were more intense, and they seemed to sit on his chest like a weight. He got excited when he saw her, really excited, like some kind of puppy. He desperately wanted to hear about her day, and to hold her close at night, to protect her and keep her safe. 

He had a sneaking suspicion about what that feeling was, but he hardly wanted to acknowledge it. Annabeth was still out of his league, and if her father didn’t approve, that might just signal the end of their relationship, so better to ignore it. 

But when they found a display set up for a pair of girl children with a white bunk bed and pink walls, Annabeth said: “How sweet is this?” 

She turned to look at him, even in the fluorescent light of the store, she seemed so golden and absolutely radiant. And the large part of his brain that he had carved out to compartmentalize just how batshit insane he was about her imagined that it was a room for their girls, two curly haired little things as pretty as their mother. Percy shoved the thought back in the box, but not before the proverbial Pandora of his mind let out the truth: he was in love with her. 

Annabeth was speaking to him, but he wasn’t processing her words. In an effort to keep himself from confessing to something huge and relationship-altering in a fucking Ikea, he just opted to kiss her instead, pulling her in by the waist and capturing her mouth so fast he dipper her backwards a bit. 

“Is that a yes?” Annabeth asked, a smile on her face when they pulled apart. 

“What was the question?” Percy asked. 

“Do you want kids?” 

“Oh, yeah, I do,” he said. “Do you?” He asked, letting her go and stand up straight. 

“Yes, although I guess it wouldn’t really matter if I didn’t. I’m expected to. One of the cons of birthright monarchy,” she said with a smile. 

Percy kept walking, as if trying to walk away from the impulse to proclaim his love to her in the middle of the show room. “You’ll be a great mom, though,” he said. 

She took his hand and briefly rested her head on his shoulder as they slowly followed the arrows on the floor. “Thanks.” 

~

In the end, they’d picked out a new bedside table that had some extra storage and matched the dark wood furniture of Percy’s room. Percy had also grabbed a djungelskog , the enormous plush bear, and handed it to Annabeth as a joke. But she committed to the bit and continued to carry it. 

“Is that coming home with us?” Percy asked, not exactly sure when his loft had become their home, but he had noticed both of them calling it just “the loft” and “home” more and more these days. 

“Yes, of course,” she teased. Well, Percy thought, she can give it to her kids one day. 

Djungelskog got his own seat at the table in the cafeteria next to Annabeth. Percy took a picture of her next to it, and Annabeth one-upped him, by plating some meatballs onto a separate dish and setting them in front of the plush bear. Percy laughed and took a revised photo. 

“So, how authentic is it?” Percy asked. 

Annabeth shrugged. “It’s not about authenticity, it’s about being tasty, and this passes the test.” 

“How often do you eat here?” Percy asked. 

“Oh, once a week,” Annabeth said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “they know me by name.” 

“I did kind of expect to see a picture of you and your dad hanging somewhere in here,” Percy said with a chuckle. 

“Well, you know what, once the new PM finishes assembling his cabinet, maybe my dad will ask him to make that part of the company policy,” Annabeth said. 

~

It turned out, Annabeth was actually remarkably good at assembling furniture, and Percy was good at relentlessly teasing her about it. All those claims about being descended from Vikings, and it turned out she was maybe just in fact genetically predisposed to building flat-pack. 

Or she was just actually organized and inclined to read the instructions rather than embarking aimlessly on a project the way Percy would. 

They’d changed into pajamas, opened a few beers, and taken on the project, and within the hour, Percy had a new nightstand that he was actually pretty proud of. But they were, at that point, too lazy to actually transfer it to his bedside, so they just left it in the center of the living room where they could admire it. 

Annabeth had taken to sitting with her back to the arm of the couch, her legs over his lap when they cuddled, essentially always sitting just shy of his actual lap, while he got to feel up her thighs as freely as he wanted. She was in sleep shorts, insisting on turning up the heat to keep her warm instead of wearing sweats instead. 

“I was thinking there was something else we could do together,” she said, taking a drink. 

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Percy asked. 

“Routine STI testing,” Annabeth said. 

“Oh? Are you worried about something?” Percy asked, nervous, but not sure what about. 

“No,” she assured him, “it’s just that, well … we’re exclusive, and I trust you, and I’m on birth control. I thought, if we did that, we maybe wouldn’t need to use condoms every time. If that’s something you’d be okay with?” 

“I would be very okay with that,” Percy said, letting his hand run up her bare thigh. “Very, very okay with that, as long as you are.” 

Annabeth nodded. “I am. You’d be the first man I ever let …” 

“Really?” Percy asked. She nodded. “Cool,” Percy said, immediately aware that that was a very uncool thing to say. But Annabeth just laughed a little, and leaned her body into his as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her more into his lap. 

He thought about telling her then that he loved her. But if it went unrequited it might just ruin everything. So for now, he resolved to hold onto it, not a secret exactly, but just a private thought, like a prayer. He rubbed her back as she relaxed into him, and after a few minutes, she’d fallen asleep. He nearly whispered it to her, but then remembered how she’d woken up when he was trying to remove her makeup. She was a light sleeper, so he chose not to. But he kept holding her there, keeping her warm, until he fell asleep too. They woke up the next morning, a pair of tangled lovers on the couch. 

~*~

They were leaving for the Alps in two weeks, and Percy told her that if her dad needed to bless their relationship, then Sally Jackson did too. It was mostly a pretense for inviting his mother over for lunch, though. Annabeth had met the woman a handful of times and already loved her deeply. It was maybe her own mommy issues acting up (she did tend to fall into a fit of tears after spending enough time around Sally), but the idea of marrying Percy seemed that much sweeter knowing it would keep Sally in her life. 

Annabeth wasn’t thinking seriously about marrying Percy yet, but she wasn’t not thinking about it. Since she turned twenty, she’d been dating to marry, and Percy was no different. Well, he was different in a major way: he was the first person she could actually imagine being married to. But she hardly let herself indulge the fantasy before he met her family. 

Percy was sure to impress, though, she was confident about that. 

Sally brought Estelle with her, which Annabeth appreciated. It was nice to have another girl around to gossip with. She caught up on all of Estelle’s middle school drama, keeping track of the rotating cast of characters in her life. They sat on the couch face-to-face as Annabeth painted Estelle’s nails baby pink, and Estelle rambled on. 

Sally and Percy were sitting in the living space too, listening as well. Percy sometimes chimed in with a defense of his sister, while Sally offered some sage maternal wisdom. 

“Oh, Percy, before I forget,” Sally said as she stood up, “you left clothes at the apartment over the summer, and I’ve been meaning to give them back.” Percy started to stand. “I can handle it,” Sally said, walking to the kitchen space, grabbing the other tote bag she’d brought with her, and heading towards the bedroom door. 

Sally came back out a minute later, but didn’t rejoin them all in the living space. Instead, she went to the kitchen and started tidying the plates from lunch. 

“Ma!” Percy said, popping up from his place on the floor. “[ Mom, I can handle this, go sit back down .]” 

Sally responded, also in Spanish but in a lower voice, so Annabeth couldn’t quite make out the words. They moved deeper into the space, farther away from where Annabeth and Estelle were.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Annabeth asked. She knew Estelle didn’t speak Spanish beyond what she learned in school. 

“Mom said something about Percy wanting her to approve of you dating him,” Estelle explained. 

“Do you think I’ll get her approval?” Annabeth asked. 

“You’d better. You’re a freaking princess.” 

Annabeth laughed. 

When the conversation ended, Percy disappeared into his room, as Sally walked over to them. 

“Everything okay?” Annabeth asked. 

“Oh yeah, just chastising him for letting you sleep in such a messy living space,” Sally said. 

Annabeth forced a laugh. Percy’s room always seemed clean to her. But maybe Sally was the kind of person who saw dirt where there wasn’t any. Or maybe she didn’t like that Percy never made the bed. 

“You know you’ve absolutely got my approval to date Percy, right sweetie?” Sally asked her.  

“Well, I assumed, but it’s nice to know for sure,” Annabeth said with a smile. 

“Told you,” Estelle said. 

“What, were you placing bets?” Sally asked. 

“No, just speculating,” Annabeth said as Percy walked back to join him. She could tell he was a little flustered about something, but she didn’t ask. 

“What are you girls gossiping about?” Percy asked. 

“How we like Annabeth more than you,” Estelle said. 

“Well, I can’t blame you, I like Annabeth more than me,” Percy said, planting a kiss to the top of Annabeth’s head. 

“I never said that,” Sally said. “Sorry Annabeth, you’re lovely, but my babies always come first.” She rubbed Percy’s arm as if to comfort him. 

“I’d expect nothing else,” Annabeth promised. 

“Come on, Stella. I think it’s time we left these two alone,” Sally said, nudging Estelle off the couch. 

Estelle put up a bit of a fight, but Annabeth and Percy just gave her hugs and promised to come over for dinner soon. Estelle might say she liked Annabeth more, but Annabeth knew it was all a big farce. She gave her brother a big hug goodbye, and confirmed that he’d be spending Christmas in New York. 

“If your father remembers me, tell him I said hi,” Sally said to Annabeth. 

“He does remember you, and he still speaks highly of you,” Annabeth promised. 

That made Sally smile. “Well, maybe I’ll see him soon.” 

Annabeth just smiled and shrugged. “Hopefully.” 

Annabeth didn’t need to ask Percy what he and his mom had talked about. Once the door was shut, and few seconds had passed, Percy almost yelled: “We left the fucking strap on on the bed!” 

Annabeth burst into embarrassed laughter, her face heating as she rubbed at her eyes. “Oh no!” 

“Oh yeah!” Percy confirmed. 

“And she saw it?” 

Percy raised the pitch of his voice, impersonating his mother: “Percy, you know I don’t care what you do. You’re an adult. But your sister can be so nosey, so maybe make sure you two are cleaning up after yourselves before she comes over.” Percy was tomato-red and Annabeth probably looked the same. 

“Oh god, does she think I've corrupted her sweet baby boy?” Annabeth asked. That would explain why Sally was so pointed in her reassuring approval. 

Percy scoffed. “Please, if anything she’s worried I’m corrupting you, the perfect storybook princess who spends her afternoons painting a child’s nails.” Percy flopped onto the couch, laying on his back. 

Annabeth crawled on top of him, laying so that they were stomach to stomach. 

“Last night was pretty awesome, though,” she said, running a finger along his jaw where a beard was starting to grow in. Last night wasn’t the first time she’d fucked him, but it was the first time she actually felt confident about what she was doing. She still wasn’t confident enough to fully tie him down, but she didn’t need to ask what to do anymore, and she didn’t need to seek out as many reassurances. 

“It was,” Percy agreed, leaning up to kiss her. 

“So, your mom knows then, that you’re bi?” Annabeth had assumed Sally knew, but she knew things could be complicated, especially with Catholics. Although, Sally was a convert according to Wikipedia, and no longer in favorable standing with the Vatican since her divorce and remarriage. 

“Oh yeah,” Percy said, “ she told me .”

“What?” Annabeth asked. 

“She figured out that I had a huge crush on Luke,” (he had recently told Piper that he was also a hopeless bisexual with a crippling addiction to blondes, and it had officially won her over to team Percy), “and asked me about it, if I thought I had a crush. And then she explained what being gay was, and what being bisexual was, and that I didn’t need to know yet, but that it was normal and okay. She was trying to get ahead of the Catholic side of the family, I think. Make me accept and love myself before they could … well, it probably would have worked if I’d never gone back to my Spanish family ever again.” 

“They aren’t fans of it, I presume?” Annabeth asked. 

“Well, it’s complicated. The whole family is a collection of absolutely run through, tragic bisexuals. But most of them are on the DL. Uncle Zeus is having an affair with a man my age, actually. No one says a word about it. But me and Nico take the heat for not being as closeted as they think we should be.” Annabeth knew Nico was a fully out gay man living in the Italian Riviera, who spent most of his time dressed like he was in Call Me By Your Name. 

“That’s horrible,” Annabeth said, gently playing with his hair to sooth him. 

“It’s alright. I much prefer living my life the way I am. Nico found my brother Bel on Grindr a few years ago. He’s been married for years and has kids … it’s tough for the lot of them.” 

“Doesn’t mean you and Nico should take all the heat for it,” Annabeth said. 

“Yeah,” Percy agreed, his eyes misty as he twirled one of her curls around his finger. “Do you remember that trip to Greece you took? With Theseus?” 

“Sure,” Annabeth said, “although I wouldn’t say I was with Theseus.” 

“Well, it was supposed to be me. They were trying to set us up. But a few weeks before … Frank and I had broken up, and I was on the rebound. I was stupid. Brought a guy back to the palace my dad’s family was staying in. Theseus caught us. He just started whaling on me.” 

“That’s a hate crime,” Annabeth said, shocked at the story and not sure what else to say or how to comfort him. 

“Yeah,” Percy agreed. “He didn’t expect me to fight back, though. I ended up breaking his wrist and beating the shit out of him. Literally. He shit his pants.” 

Annabeth offered him a sad sort of smile. “Serves him right.” 

“So, I got kicked off the Greece trip. There was some concern I’d embarrass the family or give you AIDS or something,” Percy said. 

Annabeth frowned and felt her lip quiver for him. “Percy, I’m so sorry,” she said, resting a hand on his face. “That’s really terrible.” 

He nodded, but he didn’t say anything else. He just wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her into him. 

“Want me to just hold you for a little while?” Annabeth offered. 

Percy nodded, but said, “We can just stay like this.” 

They laid there, Annabeth’s full weight on top of him, for a few minutes just breathing. 

“You know you don’t embarrass me, right Percy?” Annabeth said. 

He nodded, but didn’t say ‘yes,’ just: “Thank you.” 

She thought about telling him she loved him then, but it might just sound like pity, so she held back, in favor of: “You mean everything to me, Percy. I’m so sorry they’ve treated you that way. It’s not fair. And if you ever want to come out, fully come out, while we are together, I’ll do it with you.” 

“Really?” He asked. 

Annabeth held up her pinky. “Pinky promise,” she said. Percy looped his pinky around hers, finally smiling again. 

~*~*

They left for Switzerland in the morning, and Percy was doing what he could to emotionally prepare. Impressing Annabeth’s father was just step one. The biggest and most important step, but just the first one. Then there was the old king (Annabeth’s uncle), her aunt and cousin (next in line until Annabeth had her own children), the Prime Minister (the real one, not the Ikea CEO), and several others. 

Percy also knew this wasn’t really just about approval to date her. Once their relationship went ultra-public, the question wouldn’t be if they’d get married but when. 

It was just that Percy didn’t have an answer to that question. He’d only been with her for three months. He hadn’t even found the courage to tell her that he loved her yet. Their life in New York had seemed so normal. Fun dates, meeting friends, going to parties. But tomorrow it’d get real. She’d be in princess mode, and he’d be laser focused on impressing everyone he could so that if (when) he asked Annabeth to marry him, it wouldn’t be an issue. 

So, they’d both chosen to ignore what the next week would bring in favor of sitting on the couch and watching When Harry Met Sally. 

Annabeth laughed as Sally proved how easy it was to fake an orgasm. “I’ll have what she’s having,” the both said along with the movie, giggling to each other. 

“Just checking,” Percy started, “you don’t fake it, do you?” 

Annabeth scoffed. “Please, you think I’d suffer that indignity? I’ve been the reason several men and one woman learned they were not very good ,” she said with a laugh. 

“And a woman?!” Percy asked, surprised. “I thought lesbians were supposed to always know what they were doing?” 

“Yeah, so did I! And then I had a woman --” she paused, thinking about how to describe it, “-- motorboat my vulva.” 

Percy laughed hard, and it was contagious. Soon they were both struggling to breathe. 

“How … why … what did you do? ” Percy asked through his laughter. 

“I left! There’s no recovering from that! I put my clothes on and fucking left!” Annabeth said, still laughing. “That was maybe the worst sex I’ve ever had.” 

“Where do I rank?” Percy asked. 

“Oh, very high,” Annabeth told him, flattering his ego a bit, especially because he was sure she was being honest. “Definitely the best man I’ve ever been with, and I far prefer you over the more vanilla ladies I’ve been with. Where do I rank?” 

“Number one, and you know it,” Percy said, leaning in in anticipation of a kiss. He got it. They made out through the next few scenes, not coming up for air until the debate about the wagon wheel table. 

Annabeth warned him that she always got a bit emotional at the end of the movie, and she hadn’t lied. The ending had never really gotten to Percy before. He could appreciate the love confession, but he didn’t think it was tears-worthy. But watching Annabeth wipe her eyes as Harry confessed shifted something in him. 

“I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” 

Percy’s eyes weren’t on the TV. They were on her. He was so sure that he loved her, and for a second, he was absolutely sure that he wanted the rest of his life to start from this moment. Annabeth looked at him and caught him staring, but neither of them looked away from each other. Without words, they just leaned in and kissed right through the end of the movie.

Chapter Text

Percy watched Annabeth bundle up in boots, gloves, a jacket, and her hat. All the ski gear she needed. He was supposed to be doing the same, but he’d ended up in some kind of trance watching her. The first man to even be transfixed by a woman putting on clothing. But the lighting in the gear room was golden and reflected off her eyes and hair. Golden. 

The thing was, he was so in love with her it was starting to hurt. It twisted his stomach up, made his heart race. Sometimes he just bit the inside of his lip to keep from blurting it out. 

Telling her he loved her too soon could ruin the whole thing. Relationships struggled to recover after an unrequited “I love you.” So, Percy held onto it like the poorly kept secret it was. 

If he was being really honest with himself, he wanted to marry her. Wanted to marry her real bad. Marry her and have four kids with her. Four perfect little babies. He wondered if they’d be blonde. His grandmother was blonde, so he might have the gene, but most of the kids in his family had dark hair. Except for Jason, who online conspiracy theorists were convinced looked more like his aunt’s riding coach than Uncle Zeus. But she hadn’t met that coach until Jason was three. All lies. 

“Earth to Percy,” Annabeth said, waving her hand at him to get his attention. “Where’d you go off to?” 

“I was just thinking about how pretty you are,” he said. Not a lie. 

She smiled. “Flirt,” she accused. 

“Guilty.” 

“Come on, get dressed, quit stalling!” Annabeth said, tossing him his jacket. 

Percy started to layer up. “I’m serious, next vacation, I want summer, and sun, and all things hot,” he said. 

“I’m not hot enough for you?” She asked. 

He laughed one loud Ha! Before pulling her in close. “Don’t be silly. Of course you are,” he promised her with another kiss. His hands slipped down to her waist, puffed up with layers and a ski jacket. She’d be so beautiful when she was pregnant, he thought. 

Something about this place was making him irrational, he was sure about it. He blamed Poppy. Sure, he’d always imagined a future with Annabeth, the same way you think of a future with any partner. But seeing her with that little baby … he had to face it. He wanted that with her. The marriage, the kids. And he didn’t want to wait much longer. He loved her. He was in love with her. Deeply, insanely, life-alteringly in love with her. 

Percy took his time, shifting from a simple kiss to a slow, careful make out that bordered on inappropriate. 

“Is this just you trying to get out of skiing?” She asked between kisses. 

“No,” Percy said, before going back to kissing her. “But if that were the plan, would it work?” 

“I want to go down the mountain at least once,” was all Annabeth said back. Once. Percy could manage once. 

Annabeth suggested he try snowboarding. “You surf and skateboard, it can’t be that much more different,” she said. 

“I don’t know. Something about the snow of it all …” Percy said, trailing off as he looked at her on the ski lift. In the cold, the top of her nose and cheeks had gone a rosy pink. He couldn’t help it. He kissed her again. 

“What’s gotten into you?” She asked with a smile. 

“You’re just really pretty,” he said. What a lame answer, he thought. That’s no way to talk to the woman you love. “I’ve been thinking about our future, and our life together, and it just makes me really happy to be with you, and to think about still being with you in the future.” 

Annabeth took his hand, just cupped together through the thick gloves. “That’s really sweet, Percy. I’m really glad you’re here with me.“ He thought she might say something else, but she turned her face away from him, nerves and anxiety flashing through her eyes. After a beat, she just finished, “Let’s head up, yeah?” 

~

Percy was not better at snowboarding. His balance was maybe more natural than when he was on skis, but he just couldn’t seem to get himself going. Skateboards had wheels, and surfboards had the fucking ocean. Here, all Percy could do was scoot and hop, trying to get any momentum. 

Annabeth was standing next to him, amused at his efforts, leaning on her pole. 

Percy tried to scoot again, but shifted his weight too far forward. He waved his arms, trying to regain his balance, but before he could stop himself, he was falling forward. He managed to break his fall with his arms, landing in plush snow, only his pride hurting. 

“Are you okay?” Annabeth asked. When Percy held a thumbs up, she wasted no time laughing at him. “Oh, you poor thing,” she said, trying to help him up, his face caked in snow. 

“It’s nothing like surfing,” Percy told her as he got back on his feet. 

“I think your head is just full of seaweed,” she suggested. 

“Maybe so,” Percy said with a chuckle. “I don’t like that my feet are strapped in. Feel restrictive.” 

“Sure, but the last thing you want is to be chasing a board down the mountain on foot,” Annabeth pointed out. 

“I guess that’s a good point,” Percy said before trying to get some momentum again. “Come on, Jackson,” he said to himself, “a pretty girl is watching,” Annabeth giggled next to him. He tried to concentrate. “You can surf. You can skateboard. You went to Yale -- ” 

“So did George Bush,” she reminded him. 

“Not helpful,” Percy said, before giving it one more big hop to try and get started. 

He promptly collapsed forward again. 

“I think I’ll just roll down the mountain. Become a comically large snowball,” Percy said. 

“Come on, seaweed brain,” she said, helping him up again. “We can do this! Team work!”  

Eventually, he managed to get moving. When he found the groove it wasn’t that bad actually. He only fell three and a half more times. But he couldn’t say he was enjoying himself much either. Annabeth was staying close to him, but she kept pulling ahead, much more adept at this whole enterprise than he was. 

“Gotta say,” he called out to her, “would much rather be inside. Alone with you.” He didn’t say naked, but he hoped it was implied. Their suite had a massive, private hot tub they had yet to get in, and he wanted to use it. 

“You have to get to the bottom first,” she called back, “then we’ll see.” 

~

When they reached the bottom, a member of Annabeth’s staff was waiting there in skis to deliver a message. 

“Your cousin Astrid was wondering if you and Don Pedro would like to watch Poppy for a few hours?” 

Percy wiped the snow from his face and said “Yes!” before Annabeth could protest. 

~

While it might have been a clear attempt to simply get out of snowboarding, Annabeth had to admit that she was enjoying herself inside with just Percy and the baby. They almost felt like a little family. Annabeth let herself entertain the thought for a minute, smiling despite herself, and longing for Percy in increasingly intense and complicated ways. It was like her soul was horny for him. 

Love, she thought, sipping a hot coco, that might just be what love is. 

Percy was playing a game with Poppy that he said he used to play with his sister. It made Annabeth nervous though. The girl was on her back on her play mat, and Percy dropped a blanket over her face. 

“Where’s Poppy?” He cooed, until the girl flailed her arms enough to pull the blanket away, always offering Percy a giggle and a smile. 

“Isn’t that dangerous?” Annabeth asked. “She could suffocate.” 

“That’s the point,” Percy explained, “this teaches her how to use her reflexes in case she ever gets stuck under a blanket.” 

“Oh,” Annabeth said, sitting back a little more relaxed. 

“I won’t let anything bad happen to her,” Percy promised. 

“I didn’t think you would --” 

“We could do something else, though,” Percy said, “if it makes you nervous.” 

“I’m okay,” Annabeth said, kissing his cheek.

~

Annabeth tensed next to him. She kept her head down and her voice low, as she whispered to him: “The ghost of Christmas Future over there is my Uncle Randolph.” 

“Should we say hi?” Percy asked. 

“No, no. He’s … unpredictable,” she warned, “and in decline. Some days, he thinks he’s still king, some days he’s downright jolly, and sometimes --” she almost looked scared. Percy reached for her hand, but he was interrupted. 

“Sophia! Where is your husband?” Randolph asked. Annabeth winced as if she’d jabbed. They’d been spotted then. 

Annabeth stood, gathering Poppy up in her arms. 

“Uncle, I --” 

“Did I call you Sophia?” Randolph asked suddenly, returning from 1996 to 2024. “Annabeth, I worry I’m seeing ghosts,” he said with a laugh. Annabeth did her best to force one herself. Randolph rested a hand on Annabeth’s cheek. “You look so much like your mother these days.” 

Annabeth’s back was rigid, and she didn’t seem to have anything to say to that. 

“Where is your husband though, I really need to speak with him,” Randolph said. 

Percy wondered if that was his cue. He’d been standing just behind her, arms politely behind his back, waiting for his moment. 

But Annabeth just said: “I don’t have a husband, Uncle.” 

Percy stepped back again, a bit wounded, even if it was true. 

“Oh, no, not your husband, Sophia, your father. Where is Fred?” 

Percy bit his tongue to avoid saying something about Freudian slips. 

“I haven’t seen him since this morning. He might be in his room,” Annabeth offered. 

“He’s left you all alone with the baby then?” Randolph asked. Percy was starting to suspect he was invisible to this man. 

“This is Poppy, Lady Elsa’s granddaughter,” Annabeth told him. 

“Oh right, of course, forgive me,” he said, offering another chuckle, this one much softer and more obviously forced. “But I hope you’ll have more babies for us soon? Are you well?” Randolph asked. 

“I am,” Annabeth promised. She turned back to Percy then, remembering that he was there. “Uncle this is --” Percy started forward, ready to introduce himself. 

“Excuse me, but I need to find my brother,” Randolph said, before leaving them standing there, as confused as the old king seemed to be. Poppy was the only one unshaken, and she just reached up and grabbed a handful of Annabeth’s curls. 

“Ow, ow, Poppy, Poppy,” Annabeth said, struggling against her grip. Percy carefully untangled Poppy’s little baby first from her hair, before taking the girl from Annabeth’s arms.

Annabeth just walked a few feet to the couch and collapsed there, a hand over her eyes as she sprawled out on her back. 

“Sorry I didn’t introduce you,” Annabeth said. 

 “Didn’t seem like the right time,” Percy said, unbothered. 

“At least he was in a good mood,” she said, a hand still over her eyes. 

“Can I get you something?” Percy offered. 

Annabeth shook her head. 

“Did he upset you?” Percy asked. It was hard for him to see her like this -- shaken and unsettled. But he sensed there wasn’t much he could do to take that pain away. 

Annabeth nodded. “They all see my mother when they look at me. At least Randolph is honest.” She took a deep breath. “No one ever wants to know how I’m actually doing.”  

Percy took her hand and kissed it. “I really want to know how you’re doing,” Percy promised, kneeling down next to the couch. 

“I used to be good at this. I used to be better,” she said. 

“What do you mean?” Percy asked. 

“I used to make people happy. People used to love me --” 

“People do love you,” Percy promised her. He squeezed her hand, and he thought the words I love you as loudly as he could, hoping she might pick up on the brain waves. 

“I just …” she trailed off. 

“Miss your mother?” Percy offered, still holding her hand. 

“I don’t remember my mother. At least not much, and nothing from before she was sick. She’s just my dead mom. Is that horrible?” She asked. 

“No, no, you were so little,” Percy assured her. “What matters is that you still care about her.” He shifted onto one knee, balancing Poppy on his thigh. 

“I just wish I could talk to her. Just for a minute. To ask if I’m doing this right,” Annabeth said. 

“You are,” Percy promised her. “You are the nation’s delight. You’re smart. You’re pretty. You’re perfect. People love you.” He tried to make people sound like “I,” but when she turned to look at him finally, she only looked let down.    

Annabeth frowned at him. “And you’re on one knee. You should stop doing that before people get excited,” she said. 

Percy grasped her meaning, and considered staying there anyway. Although proposal via clandestine rumor and scandal was probably not the most romantic way to propose. Not that he had a better plan at the moment. He stood up, adjusting Poppy to rest on his hip, before offering a hand. Annabeth took it and stood up.

 “Do you want to go upstairs? Find some privacy?” Percy asked her. 

“We agreed to take Poppy for another hour,” Annabeth reminded him. 

“I think she’ll fit in the room,” Percy said, holding Poppy out in front of him and giving her a little wiggle until she started to giggle. “She’s tiny.” 

“Alright, I’ll let Astrid know where we are,” Annabeth said, taking out her phone to text her cousin. 

“Come on girlies, it’s nap time,” Percy decided, throwing an arm over Annabeth, and walking them both towards the elevator. 

~

Annabeth fell asleep first, to Percy’s surprise. Eventually, he got Poppy to settle down too, resting her on the bed next to her cousin. Percy stayed awake to make sure Poppy didn’t roll away or get crushed. But both girls slept quietly next to him while he listened to music and waited for Astrid to come collect her daughter. 

When Astrid came by, Annabeth was still asleep, and so was Poppy, although the little one stirred a little as Percy picked her up. 

“Shhh. It’s okay,” Percy whispered to the baby, getting her head to settle on his shoulder. Poppy fell back to sleep as Percy opened the door. 

“Hi,” he whispered to Astrid. 

Astrid smiled and her cheeks went a little pink when she saw Percy with her daughter. Percy handed Poppy over, and said: “Thanks for letting us spend time with her.” 

“Oh, my pleasure,” Astrid assured her. “You know, you’d be a great dad.” 

Percy smiled. “Thanks! I hope so, soon.” 

“You’d also be a great second husband,” Astrid said. Percy looked back to Annabeth. She must have really been in a deep sleep, because, knowing her, she’d’ve said something jealous and mean to Astrid if she had heard that, cousin or not. 

“I’m just hoping to be Annabeth’s first,” Percy said. 

“Well, if it doesn’t work out …” Astrid said, before walking away, and leaving Percy with his sleeping beauty. 

Percy curled next to her, wrapping her up in his arms, holding her as the little spoon. He laid there like that for a while, just listening to her breathing. Real, he told himself, real, real, real. 

~

Annabeth woke up gently, her contacts dry in her eyes, and the sunlight coming in bright through the window. Percy was holding her, warm and snug. Forget skiing. They could stay like this for the rest of the trip, alone, content, and -- oh. She smiled and wiggled into him more. He’d gotten hard in his sleep. Annabeth couldn’t help it. She took immense pride in what she did to him. 

Where’s the baby? Some maternal part of her finally asked. She checked her phone. She’d been asleep for two hours. Poppy was probably back with Astrid then. Either that or they’d left her unattended. That wouldn’t bode well for her future parenting. 

Percy’s arms tightened around her. “Stop wiggling,” he mumbled into her hair. 

“Where’s the baby?” Annabeth asked. 

“Your cousin picked her up,” Percy told her. “What time is it?” 

“Three thirty,” Annabeth told him. She had about an hour before she’d need to start getting ready for dinner. She usually had ladies to help her with her hair and to dress her, but at more private events like this, she took care of things herself. It just meant it would take longer to tame her curls. 

Percy nodded behind her. “What do you want to do?” Percy asked her. 

Annabeth had some ideas. 

~

He was a mediterranean prince, and she was a viking warrior princess. She'd kidnapped him, taken him from a warm climate to somewhere cold, but he’d seduced her. At least, Percy was pretty sure that was the roleplay Annabeth proposed. He’d been busy taking her shirt off as she explained the details. All he needed to do was call her “princess” and fuck her hard. 

Annabeth was on her hands and knees crying out in pleasure as Percy drove into her hard and fast, the way she’d asked him too. 

“Yes, please, ” Annabeth cried under him. 

“Never thought I’d hear the day when you started begging me for things,” Percy said, hoping that was in character. He grabbed her hair and tugged a little, getting her to let out a desperate whimper, pain mixed with pleasure. “Do you like that, Princess?” 

“Yes, yes!” She promised. 

Annabeth was warm and wet inside, absolutely dripping down her legs as Percy drove into her. Her back was sticky with sweat, and the animal part of him compelled him to lick her, his tongue tracing up her spine. He wanted to bite her, really leave a mark. But she’d shown him the gowns she had for this week. None of them would hide a bite mark. 

At least not a bite mark on her shoulder. 

“Princess,” Percy warned. She’d cum twice already, and Percy had finally managed to find some of his old stamina. Not seeing her pretty face helped. Those gray eyes did him in every time. In, she’d told him before they started, inside, a seductive prince wouldn’t pull out. 

Percy grunted and buried himself to the hilt as Annabeth gasped. He released into her, his thrusts slowing as he pumped her full. 

“That feels so good,” Annabeth confessed, her head slipping down into her arms, resting on a pillow as her ass stayed in the air, held firm by Percy’s hands. 

“I knew you’d like that, Princess. Let’s hope it sticks. Imagine how beautiful our babies will be. How terrifying .” 

Annabeth let out a pleased, submissive moan at the thought, and it only got louder as he pulled out, and his cum started to drip down her thighs and onto the sheets. 

“We’ll have to do that three more times,” Percy said, his face slipping down to her ass, before biting the soft skin there. Annabeth yelped. 

“Why three more?” She asked, still panting as she spoke. 

“You said four babies, right?” Percy asked. 

Annabeth rolled onto her back to look at him. “Are we … still in the roleplay?” 

Percy came to his senses and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Ah, sorry, I guess I got carried away.” 

Annabeth shook her head. “No, no, it’s okay, just --” she held open her arms, “Let’s be done now,” she said. 

Percy settled into her embrace. Percy wanted to get up and grab her a towel, but she held onto him tight. They laid there, tangled in each other for a few minutes as he pet her hair.

But her breathing was still uneven. 

“Are you alright, baby?” He asked. 

Annabeth nodded, but there was a familiar pout on her face. In their three months together, Percy had become acquainted with the many pouts of Annabeth Chase. This one was his least favorite. It was the I’m trying not to cry pout. 

“Baby…” he said softly, resting a hand on her cheek. “What’s wrong?” 

Tears started to fall, and she started to make squeaky little sobs. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s happening.” 

“It’s okay,” Percy promised, adjusting so that his arms were wrapped around her, and so that most of her naked body was pressed to his for warmth and comfort. “You did a really good job,” he promised, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I shouldn’t have sprung something new on you like that.” 

“It was okay,” Annabeth said, as her breathing started to regulate. “It was really hot,” she promised him, “I don’t know why this is happening. I’m sorry,” she repeated. 

Percy brushed some hair behind her ear, then kept stroking her hair. “You don’t need to be sorry. I’m not mad at you. I’m right here,” he promised her. 

“Did you have a good time?” She asked, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand. 

Percy pecked her lips. “Such a good time. Will you let me hold you for a little bit?” 

Annabeth nodded against his shoulder and snuggled close to him. The hand pressed to her back started to rub smooth circles, before he started to use a finger to trace letters into her skin. 

I … L … O … V 

“ That feels nice,” Annabeth purred. “Are you drawing something?” 

“Playing tic tac toe,” Percy lied. 

“Against yourself?” Annabeth asked. 

“Dom me verses sub me,” he joked. 

“Hmmm who’s winning?” She asked. 

“With you, they’re both always winning,” Percy said. 

“A tie,” Annabeth said, “you described a tie.” 

Percy smiled, glad to hear her back to her normal self a bit. “Yeah, I guess so.”     

~

Annabeth was still feeling a bit shaken by the time she got in the shower. Percy had offered to join her, to bathe her and take care of her, but she’d refused. That didn’t really have anything to do with him, though. It wasn’t going to be a particularly sexy shower. She needed to make sure everything was clean and shaved before tonight. 

With some help from a few products and a curling iron (“Why do you need to curl your hair?” “Things need to be a little more uniform.”), she was able to pin her hair up easily enough, adding a few pins with gray pearls on the ends for a bit of extra sparkle. She pinned a few pieces around her tiara, holding it in place at the crown of her head. 

Her makeup went on next. Thankfully, she didn’t need to look too glamorous tonight. Dinners with the family and the prime minister were always affairs they had to dress for, but in a private place like this, they didn’t demand camera-ready attention. 

Before she did her lipstick, she stepped out of the bathroom in her robe, and walked over to Percy who was sitting, already dressed in his tuxedo, hair brushed for once.

“Hey gorgeous,” he said when he saw her. “Your hair looks nice. Uniform .” 

“Thanks,” Annabeth touched it gently. “I’m about to do my lipstick.” 

“Ah,” Percy said, understanding. He stood up, and when he leaned in, he didn’t go for their usual pre-lipstick peck, but for a deeper, longer kiss. His arms wrapped around her, dipping her back just a little as his mouth moved over hers, and her hands found their way into his hair, ruining his efforts to tame it. 

“Are you feeling better?” Percy asked as he broke the kiss and stood her up straight. She nodded. 

“Thank you for taking care of me,” she said. 

His arms were still around her waist, holding her close to him. “Always, Annabeth, you know that. We look out for each other,” he promised. It sounded like love. 

Then why won’t he say it, a voice in her head asked her. So many moments -- romantic, sexy, domestic, cute, comforting -- so many places he could have told her if it was true. And Percy had let all of them pass him right by. 

“People are going to be watching us tonight,” Annabeth reminded him, “so I need you --” 

“To be perfect?” Percy guessed. 

“To be yourself,” Annabeth corrected. “I need you there with me tonight. It’s going to be …” would it be hard? Hard for her maybe. Everyone would want to know where they were going from here. She wished she had an answer for them. “I brought you with me for a reason,” Annabeth told him. 

That wasn’t exactly true. She brought him here for her father’s approval, but she had that now. She thought it would take all week, but he got it on the first day. Were they just here to ski and fuck after all? That was all they did today, besides watch Poppy. Bringing him was pathetically short-sighted, she realized. She’d brought the man she wanted to marry to earn her family’s approval, that’s what she’d done. And she knew it. But she’d forgotten to make sure that he was actually interested in that prospect first. He was interested in fucking her. Interested in her having his kids. But so many men were interested in that when it came to her. 

“I know,” he said, tilting her chin up so she would look at his face. She’d be as tall as him once she put her heels on, but for right now, she stood just a few inches shorter. “I know, baby. I’ll be right there, I promise. And when we meet my family, I’ll need you there, trust me,” he said. 

Her chest warmed with affection, and she almost let the side down and told him that she loved him. But she couldn’t go first.   

Please, she tried to plead with her eyes, please. You’ve done everything right, just offer me this one thing. 

~

Percy wasn’t sure what was harder: finding the courage to tell her that he loved her, or holding himself back from proclaiming it at any given moment. 

Maybe he’d missed his best chance. 

Annabeth hadn’t been herself all day, not since they’d come inside. The sight of him on one knee made her worried; the idea of having his children made her drop; she was keeping her distance, and then pulling him in. He tried to reassure her with touches and words that he was here, but something was wrong. And he worried his suspicions were true. 

She was having serious doubts about him. 

They stepped into the ballroom for dinner. Annabeth’s dress was green, the same shade as his eyes, with fabric draped that made her look like a goddess, more beautiful than any statue. She wore gray pearls around her neck and wrists, and in her hair. Percy didn’t say this out loud, worried that Aphrodite was still alive out there somewhere. He had no idea where to get a Medusa head if Annabeth was fed to a sea monster. 

In his opinion, she looked too good for him. She was too beautiful, too smart, too important to be wasting her time with him. 

“Annabeth!” Her cousin Magnus shouted. Percy had never met the man, but he’d seen pictures of him on the family’s various wikipedia pages (what? Percy wasn’t supposed to read about generations of Chase rulers in a desperate panic scroll late at night?)

Before Percy could be introduced, Magnus took Annabeth’s left hand, looking for something specific. 

“Nothing yet?” Magnus asked, before looking at Percy with a playful accusation.  

Annabeth’s chest was flushed, and she said something to him in rapid Swedish that Percy didn’t catch a word of. 

“Well, at least you haven’t been caught up against another window,” Magnus said, nudging her with an elbow. 

Annabeth simply hummed and took Percy’s arm. “I don’t know. Getting caught against a window with him was one of the best things to ever happen to me.” Percy smiled as she caught his eye. “If you’re done being crass, can I actually introduce you two?” Annabeth asked. 

Magnus held out his hand. “Magnus,” he said simply, “the spare to Annabeth’s heir.” Percy was pretty sure his mother was next in line, but he didn’t question it. 

“Percy,” he offered back, shaking Magnus’s hand. 

When they parted, Magnus waved to someone behind him and Annabeth. 

“Aunt Natalie,” Annabeth said, greeting a woman who looked like all the rest of the Chase family. Annabeth kissed her aunt on the cheek as they exchanged some words in Swedish. “Aunt Natalie, this is my partner, Percy.” 

“Your highness,” Percy said, offering her a bow as Natalie took one of his hands in both of hers. 

“No need, you’ll be family soon, I hear?” She asked. 

Percy just smiled, and glanced at Annabeth who rested a hand on her aunt’s arm and pulled her back. 

“Let’s not put too much pressure on the poor man,” Annabeth said gracefully. 

“Well, with any luck,” Natalie said to them. This time, when he caught Annabeth’s eye, he was pretty sure she was feeling hope. He finally exhaled. Maybe it wasn’t all over. 

“Now, remind me, Percy,” Natalie started, “were you the boy who got sweet little Annabeth into all that trouble on Easter Sunday?” 

Percy laughed. “That was me, but I don’t remember it that way. No, I remember sweet little Annabeth getting me into a world of trouble.” 

Annabeth just shrugged and said: “And I still am.” 

“I’ll admit, that sounds more like her. She used to scare off potential step-mothers like it was her job.” Annabeth just looked a bit proud and didn’t try to deny it. “Well, I hope you’re at least taking care of her,” Natalie said. 

“When she lets me,” Percy confirmed. Annabeth was back at his side then, her arm around his waist. He held her close. 

The four made small talk for a minute, before Magnus and his mother left them to go greet other family members. 

“I’m sorry, they --” Annabeth started as soon as they were out of ear shot, her charming princess facade dropping (as much as it ever could, since she was indeed a charming princess). 

“Annabeth, it’s okay,” Percy promised, taking her ringless left hand. “It doesn't bother me.” 

Annabeth looked at the floor and didn’t say anything else. There it was again. Doubt. Father’s approval or not, Percy was getting the sense that here, away from their life in New York, Annaebth was finally seeing something clearly. He wasn’t the right fit for her. Every time someone mentioned marriage or kids, she looked so guilty. 

Percy was trying to simply love the doubt out of her, but maybe she was right. She could manage to find better than him. 

~

They were sat next to each other at dinner, and across from the king and the prime minister, who Percy had been briefly introduced to. Percy was glad to have her next to him, instead of across from him where he wouldn’t be able to reach her. 

Percy kept his hands above the table to be polite, and to hopefully not remind people too much about how and why he and Annabeth first started seeing each other. But even on top of the white table cloth, he rested his hand over hers, reassuring her that he was there, and seeking reassurance in return. Annabeth looked at him, a soft smile on her face, and Percy breathed. 

Before dinner started, King Fred stood up, drink in hand.

“I’ll keep this in English for the benefit of our honored guest,” Fred said, gesturing to Percy. Percy smiled and nodded as a way of saying thank you. “I wanted to propose a toast,” his eyes fixed on Annabeth, “to the good health and happiness of our future queen. My girl, you remind us all of your mother more and more every day. I know she’s somewhere, and I’m sure she’s proud of you.” 

Everyone lifted their glasses in celebration, and Annabeth smiled a soft, gentle smile that encapsulated her gratitudes and griefs all at once. Percy gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and her fingers felt cold.    

Percy was able to make a decent amount of chit-chat with people, but many of them seemed to prefer Swedish to English, and the dumb owl hadn’t taught him enough words to keep up. 

But without warning he ended up under the prime minister's attention. 

“Don Pedro --” the man started. 

“Please, call me Percy,” Percy said. 

“Don Percy --” 

“Just Percy,” he said with a smile. 

“Percy,” the PM started for a third time, before getting cut off again, this time by Fred. 

“How did you end up with two different names?” The king asked him. “Pedro isn’t Spanish for Percy is it?” 

“No, it’s Spanish for Peter,” Percy confirmed. “It’s a long story, but my grandmother Rhea was Greek. She gave her sons all those Greek god names, and the king and my father kept the bit going. So, my brothers are sons of Poseidon: Triton, Bellerophon, and Theseus. But by the time I came around, they were out of good sons of Poseidon to name me after. My mother wasn’t going to call me Polyphemus.” 

“Nobody hates that name,” Annabeth said next to him. 

Percy laughed, although he was the only one to catch her joke. She looked at him and smiled, happy that someone appreciated her sense of humor. He smiled wide as he resisted the urge to kiss her at such an inappropriate time. He loved her. He was so sure of it. He’d have to tell her tonight, he decided. There was no way he’d hold onto that fact much longer. 

“So, anyway,” Percy continued, “my mom made a push for Perseus, because he’s the only Greek hero with a happy ending, but my dad didn’t like it. He said I should have a more Spanish name, to help me fit in. My mom felt it alienated me from the family more. My dad won the battle, but my mom won the war. I mostly go by Percy Jackson now, unless there’s reason to use my full name.” 

“Pedro Felipe Perseo Juan Jackson de Todos ,” Annabeth supplied for the table. 

“What she said,” Percy confirmed. 

King Fred nodded, and Percy had a feeling the man had already forgotten every word Percy had said. 

“You were saying something, Prime Minister,” Percy said, gesturing back to the man who’d been thrice cut off by this collection of unelected officials. 

“Ah, yes, I was curious if you’ve been to Sweden yet,” he said. 

“No, not yet, but hopefully soon,” Percy said. 

“Do you speak any of the language?” The PM asked. 

“I’m working on it. The princess recently took me to Ikea to practice,” Percy said, smiling at his girlfriend. 

The Prime Minister couldn’t seem to tell if Percy was joking, and Percy couldn’t seem to untangle himself from the awkward pause. 

“Have you heard the joke about the Ikea CEO, Prime Minister?” Annabeth said. 

“No, Princess, I haven’t.” 

A few more heads turned to look at Annabeth, and she put on a little show, making eye contact with the parliament member sitting next to the PM. 

“Did you hear that last month the CEO of Ikea was elected Prime Minister of Sweden?” She asked him, as if she were delivering real news. 

“I hadn’t, Princess,” the man said. 

“It’s not going well. He’s still assembling his cabinet,” she said. 

The people who’d been listening laughed loudly, including the king and the PM. It seemed a bit put-on from Percy’s perspective, but he was also laughing. 

“You stole my joke,” he whispered to her. 

“I improved your joke,” Annabeth insisted. 

Percy started to call her “smart ass” before realizing that wasn’t the best idea, not in front of her father and several other important family and government members. He tried to pivot, and ended up trying to insult her with: “Wise girl.” 

She stared at him confused, smiling, and her cheeks a bit pink. “Solid effort, seaweed brain,” Annabeth said back. 

“So we’re sticking with that?” Percy asked. 

“Afraid so,” Annabeth said with a smile. 

“Well then, I’m sticking with wise girl,” Percy said back. 

Annabeth sipped her wine. “Oh, by all means,” she said. 

~

Annabeth had lost Percy. He was gone. Nowhere to be found. 

That was dramatic. She’d gone to the bathroom, and when she’d come back, she didn’t immediately lay eyes on him. Now, she was being bounced around from conversation to conversation without her Percy. Where was he? 

The soft animal of her body was convinced it was being hunted for sport, if her heart rate was any indication. She tried to steady her hands by holding tight to a glass of wine, but as she lifted the glass to her lips, she felt like her tremor was the most visible thing in the room. 

What was wrong with her? She used to be better, she used -- 

Oh, there he was. Annabeth calmed down for a moment, warmth and life returning to her cold and anxious insides. She caught his eye, and he started over to her. He’d ended up on the total opposite side of the ballroom, but he found her. 

But before Percy could actually get to her, she felt a hand on her arm. 

“[Before you go dancing off with young Don Pedro, may I have a word with you?]” Her Uncle Randolph said to her in a low voice. 

Annabeth shot Percy an apologetic glance, and he just smiled and nodded, always understanding, as she was dragged away from him. 

She followed her uncle close, until they found a quiet hallway to speak in. 

“[I wanted to speak to you about Don Pedro,]” he said. There was a long silence while Annabeth waited for him to finish his thought, but that seemed to be all Randolph had to say for the moment. 

The lucidity in his eyes and tone should have been comforting to Annabeth; this afternoon had certainly been its own kind of unpleasant. But, Randolph’s personality was not naturally jovial, and whenever he seemed to return fully to himself, he had a way of picking apart Annabeth’s flaws until she was reduced to teary-eyed girl wishing for her father.  

“[Do you approve?]” Annabeth asked her uncle. He wasn’t the power behind the throne like some people suspected, but he still had some sway over her father. If Uncle Randolph didn’t approve of Percy, he might sway her father against him too. 

“[I do. He suits you. When can we expect a proposal?]” He asked her. 

Annabeth was relieved to hear his approval, but … “[Oh, I don’t know. We haven’t talked about that yet.]” 

“[Why else would you bring him here?]” Randolph asked. Because I was short-sighted. But she wouldn’t admit that to her uncle. 

“[For approval of … our courtship,]” she said, favoring the older term with him. 

“[Courtship begets marriage,]” her uncle reminded her. “[Try to be engaged by your next birthday. Then you might actually manage to get married before you’re thirty.]” 

“[I’m not dying,]” Annabeth reminded him, before feeling guilty. She hoped he didn’t interpret that as her talking about his daughters. 

“[I’m not suggesting you’re dying. I’m suggesting you’re getting too old to still be messing around. I’d suggest you make that man marry you, even if you have to do the proposing,]” he said. 

“[I can't make him love me --]” 

“[It doesn’t matter to me if he loves you. You have a job to do, and Percy is the most suitable man you’ve managed to find. In my opinion, it's in the monarchies best interest for you to be married and pregnant by this time next year.]” 

Annabeth nodded stiffly. “[Does my father agree?]” 

“[Your father wants you to be happy above all else, but he does agree that he’d like to see you wedded and bedded as quickly as you can make that happen.”] 

Wedded and bedded? What was this? Game of fucking Thrones? 

Well, she certainly got bedded often enough. It would be nice to be wedded for once. 

“[I understand,]” Annabeth said. “[I do want to get married. Preferably to Percy, but --]” 

“[Good,]” Randolph said, holding up his hand to cut her off. Annabeth pursed her lips in frustration, about to go on talking anyway, but her uncle simply turned and walked away. 

Annabeth’s heart beat rapidly, and her vision started to blur, but there weren’t tears in her eyes. Marry him, a voice in her head said, who cares if he doesn’t love you. The children will be cute. 

How could he not love her, she wondered as she teetered down the hall, her usual confidence out of her, her legs like Bambi on the ice. 

Except he didn’t. She loved him, deeply, desperately, and he had never -- 

Maybe he hadn’t said it, but he must love her. 

Or it was an act. 

Maybe it was. An act. But maybe she’d call his bluff. Marry him. 

Marry him anyway. 

They could fuck until the cancer ate her from the inside out. 

It would. It was inevitable. 

Everyone knew it. 

There was cancer in her body. She could feel it. They’d find it soon. 

She’d never have kids. She’d never been queen. Percy would never love her. 

Annabeth found an empty room, and the moment the door shut behind her, she felt a panicked sob leave her mouth. 

She collected her skirts in her hand and made her way to the wide window. It was snowing out now, and the air was well below freezing, but she hauled it open anyway, kneeling on the window seat, grateful for the cushion under her knees. The cold air offered her a moment of reprieve, but it could only last so long. 

Everyone needed her to do one simple thing. Pick out a man and marry him. Any man would do. Half the men in Sweden would sign up for the job. But no, she couldn’t. She wanted love. And she’d foolishly brought a man along with her this weekend who didn’t love her. 

There was one thing she was born to do and -- well, that was the issue wasn’t it? She hadn’t been born to do it. Her cousin had been. If Annabeth had been born to do it, that meant that God had killed her cousins and aunt. That couldn’t be true. Maybe it was. She couldn’t do this. 

Annabeth felt her stomach turn over. It was inevitable. Her freshman fifteen had been a loss of fifteen pounds from the constant stress and panic puking. As she tilted her head out the window and reached, she regretted eating so much at dinner. What a waste. The snow started to cover what her stomach emptied. 

Annabeth leaned back against the window seat, her panic not close to subsiding, but her nausea at least fading. The air was cold; she wrapped her arms around herself, and her skin felt like ice. But it was almost peaceful. 

“Annab-- oh my god, it’s freezing in here,” Percy said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. How scandalous , some distant part of her mind joked. Percy was next to her in a moment, shedding his tux jacket and wrapping it around her arms, before he closed the windows. 

He pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her to warm her up. “I know you think you’re a viking princess, but they wore layers and layers of furs,” Percy murmured into her hair, before pressing a kiss to her temple. “Let me get a fire going,” he said. 

Annabeth followed him to the fireplace, sitting on the carpet in front of it as he got a blaze going. 

“You know how to start a fire?” She asked. 

“Sure, I’ve enjoyed many a summer bonfire,” Percy said with a soft smile as the air around them started to warm and glow and soft orange. Percy sat on the carpet next to her, and wrapped her in his arms again, trying to get her warm. 

“Want to tell me what you’re doing in here, princess?” Percy asked. 

“I needed a moment,” she told him. I’m dying of cancer. I’ll never have kids. I need you to marry me. You can’t marry me. I love you. You don’t love me. I need you to marry me anyway. 

 “What is going on in that big brain of yours?” He asked. 

“Oh, just that I probably owe you an apology,” Annabeth said. 

“What? Why?” Percy asked. 

“I didn’t really think through how the rest of my family would react to you,” she said. “I’m sorry if they’re being intense. They’re all just convinced I’m dying, so they want to see me married with kids as soon as possible and --” 

“Annabeth, it’s okay,” Percy said, cutting her off.

“You’re not bothered?” She asked. 

“No,” Percy confirmed, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze, “I know there’s no casually dating a princess. I knew what to expect this week.” 

“That makes one of us,” Annabeth said, leaning back against his chest. 

“Is it bothering you?” Percy asked, an unsubtle tone of worry in his voice. 

“No, no, I just, “ love you and haven’t said it, I’m worried you’ll leave me, I’m worried this is all too fast for you. I just know that you’re the man I’m supposed to marry, and I want you to tell me you feel the same way. “I just wish I’d emotionally prepared for this all more.” 

“You’re not thinking about marriage?” Percy asked. 

Annabeth shrugged. “I am always thinking about marriage. I just wish there was someone out there who wanted to marry me.” 

“There is,” Percy said, shifting a bit to look at her face. He was smiling. “I do, Annabeth. I want to marry you, and, and raise your four perfect little babies, and -- I mean I’ve been giving this my all because I don’t want to mess this up.” He took her hands and gave them a little squeeze. 

That should have made her happy. It should have made her want to pin him to the carpet. But her heart felt frozen. She didn’t even feel like she was going to cry or throw up. Annabeth just stood up, shrugged off his coat, and said: 

“Good night, Percy.” 

~

Percy sat still and confused, his jacket in his lap as the woman he loved coldly rejected him. 

“Wait --” He stood up and grabbed her hand. “Wait, Annabeth, if that was too much we can just forget it --” 

“No, no we can’t forget it, Percy,” she said, turning around to him, tears in her eyes and on her face. 

“Why --” 

“Plenty of men have wanted to marry me and get me pregnant, and none of them have loved me. You’re just the first one to make me feel really stupid about it,” Annabeth yelled, finishing her sentence with a sob. She at least stayed in the room, waiting for his response. 

Percy could have punched himself in the face. 

“Yeah, okay, that was a frankly insane order in which to reveal information,” he agreed. He took her hands again, holding them gently. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you, Annabeth. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner.” Her face was stone, her sobs over, but no there were no looks of love or relief in her eyes. Of course not, how was she supposed to believe such an ill-timed confession. 

“I didn’t apply for my Ph.D. this year,” Percy said. 

“I know,” Annabeth said back. 

“I didn’t because I don’t want to waste three years of my life not being with you every moment. I don’t want to apply next year either. Or any of them. I just want to be whoever you need me to be, whatever you need me to be,” Percy said. 

Annabeth rolled her eyes. “I don’t want you to give up your dreams for me --” 

“What kind of maniac dreams of a life in academia?” Percy asked her. That made her laugh, even as she cried. “That was never my dream, it was just something to do with my life. If it was my dream, I would have applied by now. You’re my dream. My dream girl,” he rested a hand on her cheek. Her skin was still so cold, but she leaned into the touch, her feelings thawing at least. 

“I keep thinking about Ikea,” Percy said. Annabeth laughed. “I’m serious. I keep thinking about those bunk beds, and how even if we weren’t royal. Even if I was some school teacher in New York and you were an architect, and we had those bunk beds for our two girls, because that was all we could manage. How that would be enough. How I’d rather have that, with you in my life, than have all of this --” he gestured around the large empty room -- “without you.” He cupped her face in his hands and rested his forehead against hers. “I love you, Annabeth. I’m sorry I waited so long to tell you. It’s just that I’m kind of insane about you, and I didn’t want to scare you away. But the truth is, even if you don’t want to marry me, even if the government doesn’t approve, even if you think it’s crazy because it’s only been three months … that’s not going to change. I’m pretty sure I’m going to love you for the rest of my life.” 

Annabeth sobbed again, and moved to rest her face against Percy’s shoulder, crying onto his dress shirt. Percy wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her exposed skin to try and keep her warm. 

“I love you too,” she promised. “I -- I wish I had a better speech. I guess that’s why you always won Mock Nats,” Annabeth joked. 

Percy just smiled and pressed another kiss to her hair. “Can I kiss you, baby?” He asked her. 

Annabeth pulled back and shook her head no. “It’s just that, I threw up a few minutes ago. Before you came in. That’s why the window was opened.” She walked past him and picked his jacket up off the ground, before slipping her arms into it. 

Percy pulled her towards the couch in the room. She sat close to him, and he wrapped his arms around her. 

“Are you feeling okay?” He asked, gently pressing her head against his shoulder. 

“I was having a panic attack,” she said casually. “Still am, a little.” 

Percy rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “Jesus, I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?” 

Annabeth shook her head. “Just sit with me for a minute,” she said. 

“I didn’t know you got those,” Percy confessed. 

Annabeth shrugged. “I’ve gotten maybe three since college, not counting this one. But they happened all the time at Harvard. They almost always make me sick, I don’t know why. If you’re ever at Harvard and need a place to be sick, I know the best bathrooms.” 

The room was starting to get warm again, but Percy kept her close. 

“College was hard for you?” Percy asked. Annabeth was so smart. He struggled to imagine her struggling with anything, especially school. He’d seen her tear through a seven-hundred page novel in two days.  

“Yeah. I didn’t get to study the things I was actually interested in. It made it hard to focus. In high school, we had all of this structure, people looking out for us, looking over us. I had clubs and hobbies. College got so busy, and I hated business classes, poli-sci was okay, but the men in those classes? Ugh, kill me. It all just constantly felt like it was falling apart. I’d get into these thought spirals that if I didn’t like international relations then how could I be queen? How could I run a country if I kept doing everything last minute? Why did I keep doing everything last minute? Why couldn’t I just sit and focus --” her pace was increasing, and Percy could see her getting distressed. 

“Hey, hey,” Percy said, calming her down, “it’s okay. College is over. And you’re going to be a perfect Queen. Because you’re compassionate. And careful. And because you’re ready for it.” 

Annabeth nodded, accepting his words, before burrowing into his side more. He held her a little tighter. 

“Have you ever been tested for ADHD?” Percy asked after a moment. 

“No, why?” She asked, her head still on his shoulder. 

“Just, what you were talking about sounds a lot like how I experienced college too. Except I’ve been diagnosed since I was seven and had accommodations,” Percy told her. 

“Huh, no, no one ever mentioned it,” Annabeth said. “The counselor at Harvard tried to tell me I was depressed as well as anxious, and that's why I struggled so much. But that never seemed right. I wasn’t sad. I know depression isn’t just that, but … I knew I wasn’t depressed.” 

Percy nodded. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that. And that having panic attacks makes you throw up. I just get catatonic.” 

She looked up at him. “You’ve had them?” 

Percy almost laughed. “With my family? Of course.” 

She was quiet for a long moment. And then: “I’m sorry that I didn’t think you loved me,” she said, “and that I didn’t say it first. I’ve known for a long time. I just … I couldn’t be vulnerable like that first, I couldn’t give you that power over me. Not that I thought you’d abuse it, but …” 

“I get it,” Percy promised her. “There’s a lot more at stake with your marriage than with mine. Although, you still haven’t told me if you want to marry me.” 

Annabeth gave him a soft laugh. “Of course I want to marry you. When am I ever going to find such a perfect man?” 

Percy beamed. “I guess the only thing we don’t have in common is our number of Mock Trial awards,” he teased. 

“I have more individual awards, you have more team awards, it evens out,” she said. 

They sat there silent for a few minutes, just listening to the crackle of the fire. 

“Do you want to go upstairs, baby?” Percy asked her. “Get you out of this dress and into something more comfortable?” 

Annabeth nodded as she started to stand. “Thank you, Percy. I’m feeling a lot better now,” she promised. “Think we can get upstairs without being seen?” 

“I think we can make it happen,” Percy said, before walking over to the fireplace, poking at the embers until they started to fade out. 

~

They ended up just running down an empty hallway, away from where people were drinking and dancing, and opting for the stairs instead of the elevator. 

But they made it back to their room easily enough. 

Once they were inside, Annabeth retreated into the bathroom to quickly brush her teeth so that Percy could finally, finally!, kiss the the hell out of her. 

“I love you,” he promised between kisses, her gown gathered at her hips, her legs around his, as he held her against the closed door. 

“I love you too,” she promised. 

Percy reached his hand under her skirt to try and touch her, but met with the thick spandex of shapewear. It covered her mid-thigh to breasts, and it wasn’t going anywhere in their current position. 

Annabeth started to giggle, and then Percy joined her. Annabeth started to slip down his hips, and he helped her find her footing. 

Percy rested his forehead against hers as they laughed with each other. 

“Let’s get out of these clothes, love,” Percy said. 

Annabeth hummed. “I like hearing you call me that,” she said. 

“Good,” Percy said with a soft peck, “because I’m not going to stop.” 

They stood still like that, warm and happy for a minute, before Annabeth stopped into the room. 

“Unzip me?” She asked. 

“Always,” Percy said. 

Annabeth let out a deep breath as the gown, heels, and shapewear came off. She stood naked in the room, as Percy ran his hands over her breasts, tummy, ass, and thighs, happy to have them back in his hands. 

“You’re gorgeous,” he told her. 

“I’m hungry,” she said back, stepping away from him to go to the room’s phone. She requested light but filling snacks -- bread, olive, cheese -- Annabeth staples. He always hated olives, but he’d started stocking them in his loft just for her. 

Percy took off his suit, tossing the jacket over the back of the chair as he hung the rest of the pieces up. She had slipped a pair of painties on, but was otherwise naked on the bed. Percy followed suit. 

“Are we going full tits out this evening?” Percy asked. 

“I think so,” Annabeth said, her eyes roaming over his bare torso. 

“Are you checking me out?” He asked. 

“Sure am,” Annabeth said, offering him a cheeky grin. Percy smiled back, before hitting a series of poses meant to show off his flexed muscles while she laughed. 

They were interrupted by a knock on the door announcing their food. Percy stood on the other side of the door and said: “You can just leave it there. We aren’t decent. Thank you!” 

After a moment he cracked open the door, grateful to find the hallway empty. He grabbed the tray of food off the table and carried it to the bed. 

“Are we eating in bed?” Annabeth asked. 

“Late night snack in bed, tits out,” Percy said. 

Annabeth picked up a green olive. “Perfect.” 

~

After she ate, they got under the covers, embracing in the dark. They didn’t have sex again; they were content now to just … be. Annabeth rested her head on Percy’s bare chest, her fingers drawing little circles against his skin. 

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Annabeth asked, her voice quiet. 

“That I love you?” Percy asked. Annabeth nodded. “I didn’t want to mess anything up. I was scared to tell you, worried that, if you didn’t feel the same way, telling you would make it all go to hell. And I just wanted to hold onto you for as long as I could. Especially before we had your father’s blessing. If he didn’t approve, it could have all fallen apart and --” 

“In what world would you not have gotten my father’s blessing?” Annabeth asked. 

“I’m not exactly in your league, Princess. We’re not even playing the same sport. You’re one of the most desired women in the world, and I’m just … me.” 

Annabeth shifted, lifting her head off his chest to face him. “Don’t say things like that Percy, please.” He couldn’t see much of her face in the dark, but he could tell just from her voice that she was upset. “You’re not just you, you’re you, and you’re perfect. You’re everything,” she leaned in and kissed him gently, somehow finding his mouth in the dark. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted,” she promised. 

“I love you,” he said, a heavy weight of emotions on his chest, and Annabeth’s head. 

“I love you too,” she promised back. 

“I can't believe I found you,” Percy said, “after all these years.” 

“I can’t wait until we’re eighty and still causing trouble and scandals for the monarchies of Europe,” Annabeth said with a giggle. 

“Bold hope, expecting there to still be monarchies in fifty years,” Percy said, “or a world to cause trouble in.” 

“Always the optimist, you are,” she teased.  

“I’m finding more and more to be optimistic about every day,” Percy said.

Chapter Text

Annabeth woke up slowly. It was the gentle, natural kind of waking that only vacations and the rare day off allowed for. Her eyes were barely open, but she was already smiling. Percy was still holding onto her, his arm wrapped around her middle, his face buried in her curls. She wondered if they ever moved at all in their sleep. She usually rolled around quite a bit when she was on her own, usually waking up on the other side of the bed, her little plush owl Hoot on the ground (she always apologized to him as she guiltily picked him back up). But with Percy, they seemed to stay blissfully still, and she stayed safe and warm in his embrace. 

Annabeth felt Percy’s lips brush against her shoulder. “Go back to sleep, my love,” he said. 

“What time is it?” she mumbled. Percy held her tighter; she felt comfortably restrained. Protected, even. Safe. She rubbed her legs together, already warming in new ways. 

“It doesn’t matter,” Percy told her, “just go back to sleep.” 

“M’k,” Annabeth mumbled, letting her eyes close all the way again. One leg reached back and found Percy’s. She tangled them together, until his thigh was pressed against her center, just a whisper of relief. 

Percy chuckled. “I want you to rest, baby.” 

Annabeth nodded, her mind empty and floaty with sleep and desire. Listening to Percy seemed like a good idea. 

~ 

Annabeth slipped into one of those hellish dreams that only naps and going back to sleep ever produced. In the dream, she was sure she was in Rome, but it didn’t look like any part of Rome she’d ever seen. She knew Percy was with her, but she couldn’t see him. She kept calling for him but he wasn’t there. He had just been there, hadn’t he? Her dream-self panicked, and her sight faded. She was stumbling blind, calling for him. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. 

She woke up unsettled and alone in bed, a bit frantic. 

“Percy?” She called, mostly to make sure her voice still worked. 

He emerged in the doorway to the living space in the suite. 

“Hey, you okay?” He asked. His image got blurrier as he moved closer to her, until he was basically nothing by an impressionist painting of himself, his face a foot away from hers as he sat on the bed. 

“I just had a nightmare that I couldn’t find you, and then I went blind,” she explained. 

Percy picked up her glasses from the bedside table and slipped them on her face for her. His features sharpened, and soon enough her boyfriend’s face was smiling back at her, crystal clear. 

“Not blind, just missing those,” he promised before kissing her forehead. “I’ve got breakfast for us in the other room.” 

“We should go downstairs and eat,” she said. 

“No use, it’s eleven thirty,” Percy said, “everyone will be outside for the day.”

“Oh,” she said, flopping back onto the soft mattress. 

Percy crawled into bed next to her. He’d put on sweats and a tee shirt, while she was still topless and only wearing underwear. 

He kissed her forehead again, then her chest, then the palms of her hands, anointing her with kisses. 

“I was thinking,” he said, his attention back on her breasts. He took one nipple into his mouth and sucked gently before letting it go, as she let out a pathetic whimper. 

“Proud of you, seaweed brain,” she teased. 

“I was thinking,” he pushed her legs apart and slid between them, “it could be fun to stay in here all day.” 

Annabeth hummed as she considered the suggestion. “Oh, but won’t we get bored?” She asked with a teasing smile. 

Percy slipped a hand into her panties, getting two fingers on either side of her clit with swift precision. 

“I brought you some presents,” he told her with a smirk. 

“Oh?” Annabeth said, before “ Oh! ” as the pressure around her clit became more satisfying, sending pleasant tingles up her center that promised to build to something even more satisfying soon. 

“Yeah,” he promised, kissing her deep as his hand slipped lower, letting two fingers dip inside her. Her inner thighs flexed as her body let him in. “You had a long day yesterday,” he reminded her with a gentle kiss. “I want to take care of you today. I want to make sure the woman I love is relaxed and enjoying her vacation.” 

The woman I love . Annabeth almost let out a girlish squeal at the reminder. She held back by just pulling him in for another kiss. 

His pace against her inner walls was slow, and would have been tortuous if his words weren’t so sweet. 

“I’m going to make sure you eat. Make sure you enjoy this gorgeous hot tub. And if you’re good, you’ll get presents,” he promised between kisses. 

“And if I’m bad?” She teased. Percy’s palm pressed hard against her clit, and she rode his hand, wiggling her hips to find her own pleasure. 

He nipped her earlobe. “Oh, you know,” Percy promised. “Do you like the sound of that, my love? Will you listen to me today?” 

Annabeth didn’t hesitate to nod. Listening to Percy today (and getting presents!) seemed like exactly the kind of thing her overworked brain needed. 

“I like your idea a lot,” Annabeth said. 

“So, is that a yes?” Percy asked, his fingers keeping a steady although unsatisfying pace. 

“It is,” she said with a smile. And then she looked at him pointedly. 

“Going to start being a brat right away ?” He asked with a laugh. 

She shrugged. “I’m not being a brat, it’s just that you said you were going to take care of me, and this pace isn’t doing that.” 

Percy shook his head, before making the teasing worse. He slipped his head between her thighs, slipped his fingers out of her, and only offered one … two slow licks over her clit, over the panties, enough to have her legs around him, pressing him closer, but not enough to bring her anywhere worthwhile. He loved to ruin her and make a mess. She had a present of her own for him. Maybe she’d share it with him today. Lacy, pretty, blue, and absolutely begging to be ruined. 

“I decide what taking care of you means today,” Percy said, before biting the soft skin of her inner thigh. Annabeth moaned in pleasure, happy to see that a bit of his rougher dom side had joined them for the day. “And I think you need to learn how to be patient,” he said. 

She tried to put on her sweetest, poutiest face. “You don’t want me to cum on your face?” She asked. 

Percy buffered for a minute, and she knew she almost had him. But then he just pulled back away from her, leaving her empty and in damp panties. 

“The food is getting cold,” Percy said, tugging on her arms until she was sitting up. 

~

The spread was pretty remarkable. Fruit, waffles, eggs, sausage. The works. 

“Are we feeding an army?” Annabeth asked. She was starving though. She’d thrown up pretty much all of her dinner from the night before, and her little pre-dinner snack had filled her up last night, but it didn’t last. 

“I wanted to make sure there’d be something you were in the mood for,” Percy told her. “How’s your stomach?” 

“Better. Much better,” she said as she sat down and pulled a waffle and some strawberries onto her plate, before reaching for the whipped cream. 

“And your brain?” Percy asked. 

Annabeth smiled. “Also much better. Thank you for taking such good care of me,” she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Something about little innocent shows of affection always made him blush. Whenever she kissed his cheek or took his hand in public, his face seemed to just light up from the inside. It was one of the many things she loved about him. 

They chatted while they ate, going over who was going to be at dinner tonight, their plans for the rest of the week, and other low-stakes topics. They finished eating what they could and digested while they drank coffee. It wasn’t until Percy’s eyes were roaming over her bare legs poking out from under the white hotel bathrobe that she remembered today wouldn’t include any skiing. 

“So,” she asked, placing her cup down, “what did you have in mind today?” Annabeth stretched her legs out over his lap and smiled when his hands started moving to feel her up. 

“Oh, lots of things. Things that involve you in a series of compromising poses and states of undress,” Percy said. 

Annabeth hummed and spread her legs open. After Percy had left her on the bed, she’d gone to the bathroom and discarded her panties, leaving her completely naked under her robe. Percy spotted this right away, and let his hand roam up higher. 

“I like the sound of that,” Annabeth said. 

“It’ll keep you inside all day,” Percy warned. 

“I have the rest of the week to ski,” Annabeth said, “I can spare,” Percy’s hands finally breached under the robe. She grabbed his face to pull him in closer, their coffee cups forgotten on the table. “One day for you,” she finished as their lips met and his fingers ran over her folds again. 

His pressure on her clit was exact -- the soft rub on either side of the bud that she liked to start with. Her denied orgasm from earlier had left her pent up and desperate. She had been temporarily satiated by food, but now she was impatient. She had waited long enough. 

“You’d better let me cum this time,” she said, her mouth against his. He tasted like syrup. 

And then her head was being pulled back; his grip on her hair was tight and rough, and Annabeth couldn’t help but moan as he held her face at a distance to his as he smirked at her. 

Percy didn’t usually like to play rough with her. It wasn’t his style, and she could respect that. He usually gave her some spanking, and he would pull her hair, but usually only in the heat of the moment. Not like now. Not to control her and cause her some pain. 

It sent a hot pulse through her core. The confident, dominant look on his face made it all the more intense. Sure, she liked him subby and whimpering. Loved it, actually, but this side of him? This was a rare treat. 

And he hadn’t stopped moving his fingers on her. Her moan shifted into a low groan as she shut her eyes, her thighs shaking and a pressure in her belly building and dissipating in one rapid explosion of pleasure. It wasn’t the most intense orgasm she’d ever had, but it wasn’t nothing either. 

When she opened her eyes, Percy was still, his fingers still on her clit and in her hair, but neither moving. He was staring at her, curious and confused. 

“Did you just cum?” He asked her. 

Annabeth nodded with a pathetic mmhum noise. He wasn’t the only one who’d been totally ruined, now prone to fast orgasms and wet dreams. She didn’t even know women could have wet dreams. Sex dreams, sure. But waking up mid-orgasm because of a dream with two Percy’s at once? That had been new. 

“Well, then, I guess you got what you wanted,” he said, smirking at her again as he let go of his grip on her. “But maybe I should control when you’re allowed to orgasm, so you don’t get rewarded for bratty behavior.” 

Annabeth pouted and shook her head. “No, please, I’ll listen, just --” 

“I don’t know,” Percy said, twirling a bit of her hair around his finger, “I think it might be a good idea.” 

“You’re taking care of me today, right?” She asked. Percy nodded. “Well, orgasms will make me tired, so I’ll sleep. They’ll make me hungry, so I’ll eat. And they remind me how much you love me, so I won’t have a panic attack about something silly again.” 

Percy smiled and kissed her gently. “Clever girl,” he said. 

“Wise girl,” Annabeth said. 

“What?” 

“That’s what you called me at dinner last night,” she reminded him. 

Percy kissed her again, and she could feel his smile against her mouth as he did. “Oh yeah. It’s fitting, I think.” 

“Do you like yours?” She asked. 

“Seaweed brain? Yeah, it’s chill,” Percy said. He was still hovering over her, and his hand was starting to slip under the robe onto her chest, slowly finding her breast. 

“Just chill?” Annabeth asked. “I won’t call you that if you don’t like it.” 

He kissed her again, just a peck, a reassurance. “I like it,” he promised, “I like you having a goofy little nickname for me.” 

Annabeth relaxed, sinking into the couch cushions. “Okay,” she said with a content sigh. 

“Comfy?” Percy asked. She nodded. “Good, I think I want to sit here and kiss you for a while.” 

“Okay,” Annabeth said, relaxing under the gentle stroke of his thumb over her cheek. Sinking into sub space had gotten easier in the last few months as she really let herself let go with him. Today was no different. “Yay,” she added, as Percy leaned in. 

That broke his concentration, and he started to laugh over her, just a slight giggle. He’d hardly composed himself before his finger was hooked under her chin, pulling her face up towards his just a little. 

“God, I love you so much,” Percy said. 

Annabeth wrapped her arms around him, pulling him in close to her for more kisses. “I love you too,” she promised. 

They made out lazily, contented and full, until all of the worried parts of her mind seemed to disappear, and she was left as a cozy, taken care of puddle under him. He was rocking himself up against her center, his half-hard cock still in his boxers. Annabeth just spread her legs a little wider, wrapped them around his hips, and pulled him in closer. 

“You want it baby?” He mumbled into his mouth. 

She nodded. She placed one hand on top of his and moved it to her breast. Her bathrobe had come undone, leaving her chest and tummy exposed, but her arms were still covered. Her boobs weren’t huge, but Percy loved them. 

“I need you,” she said, playing up the whimper in her voice to try and portray her wants as needs. Men tended to be immune to that. Percy was different from most men, but not in that respect. He kept rocking himself against her, groaning as he fondled her breast. She could feel him getting hard, until he reached a hand between them to touch himself. 

“Fuck,” he sighed at the touch, before shimmying his boxers down to free himself. “Condoms today?” He asked. 

“No,” Annabeth said. She needed the intimacy of him bare more than she needed food or rest. 

“Should I finish inside?”

“God, yes. You said three more yesterday, remember. I want at least three,” Annabeth reminded him. 

“Okay, yeah,” Percy said with a smile, lining himself up. 

He sunk into her, warm and thick. She felt full and content. And all she could manage to do was latch onto him, tightening her hold on him with her legs and arms, pulling him close until he was sunk fully into her and unable to move. 

Percy chuckled. “I guess I can let you keep it warm for a minute,” he said. 

Annabeth was out of words for once. She just squeezed him a little and breathed, her mind blurry. 

But after a few minutes, her lower body was screaming at her to offer it some friction, and Percy was starting to wiggle too. 

“Baby, I need to move,” Percy said. Annabeth nodded and loosened her grip on him as she started to rock her hips up. “I know you don’t like it like this, Princess,” Percy said. She actually really loved when they made love face to face. But he was right. It wasn’t her favorite position to fuck in. She liked it dirtier than that. 

The couch meant he couldn’t just toss her over onto her stomach, but he commanded her well enough. As she moved herself, she could feel how wet she was between her thighs, not that it was any surprise. Annabeth got on her stomach, her face into the couch cushion, and her ass in the air. 

She felt Percy’s hand at the back of her neck, grabbing the bathrobe. 

“Let’s take this thing off you?” Percy said. Annabeth moved her arms awkwardly until they were able to pull it free. 

Then Percy’s grip on her hips was the only warning she had before he sunk in deep. He didn’t offer her any extra moment to breath and adjust before he pulled out and slammed back in. 

“Yes!” She yelped. She didn’t wait for his command or his permission to reach under her and touch herself. Percy started fucking her hard and fast, like an animal. Annabeth was so used to being important, to being dressed up and paraded out. Sometimes she just liked to be a thing to fuck, bent over and used. Percy didn’t like treating her that way, but oh, how she craved it. This was really a rare gift. 

And either he didn’t notice she was touching herself, or he didn’t care, because he let her keep on with it, as his pace stayed relentless and rough. She was sure she was drooling onto the couch cushion as her mouth hung open, gasping and begging in a voice that hardly sounded like hers. She just kept saying his name, begging him to … not stop? Go harder? She wasn’t sure what exactly. She just kept a refrain of “Percy, Percy, Percy,” and he answered, “I’m here, I’m here, I’m here.” 

She could hear the slap of skin against skin, and feel the tight grip of his fingers in the fat of her hips as he pulled her into him as he thrust, before pulling out again, the slow, satisfying drag bringing her closer and closer with every movement. 

Annabeth could tell she was close now, but her brain and mouth wouldn’t offer her the words to tell him. All she could do was close her eyes, focus on him inside her, her fingers on her clit, and the gentle way he said “I love you,” while he took her at the hard and unforgiving pace she needed.

She came with a shattered gasp, her hips bucking back to try and take all of him into her as she came, surely ruining the couch cushions under them as she did. Oops. 

“Fuck, baby,” Percy whined, grabbing a fistful of her hair as his thrusts got more frantic and less steady. She never got tired of seeing what her squirting did to him. Her boyfriend had many kinks, she knew that, but that one was a fun discovery for her to make. 

Percy thrust hard inside her, pushing her head into the arm of the couch, not hard enough to hurt, but enough for her to instinctively grab her head. Percy came a moment after, pulsing inside her, warm, welcome. And then she heard him laughing, and then his hand was over hers. Had he even finished filling her up before he was checking on her? She couldn’t tell. All she could manage was a contented smile. 

“Are you okay?” He asked as he slipped out of her. She felt some of his cum drip out of her right away, adding to the puddled mess under her. Double oops. 

“I’m perfect,” she promised. 

“Good,” Percy said. And then he held her hips steady, and pressed his mouth to her cunt for seconds, licking her clean. When she came against his tongue, she made less of a mess, as he drank it down. 

~

Percy wrapped her back up in the bathrobe and carried her back into the bedroom. 

“Rest a moment, love,” he whispered as she dozed off. 

“Okay,” she whispered before falling asleep. A few minutes later, she felt his arms around her, and she settled in deeper. 

Annabeth woke up about half an hour later to Percy still wrapped around her. She wiggled out of his grasp, desperate for a pee and made her way to the bathroom, grabbing her bathing suit on the way. 

She was feeling rested and perky after a pair of messy orgasms and a great nap. Not to mention the wonderful food. 

Annabeth slipped into the shower for a quick wash after using the toilet. She didn’t know exactly what surprises Percy had for her, but he’d already gotten close to her ass when he ate his cum out of her, so she wanted to be ready for anything. 

She stepped out and dried off before slipping into her bathing suit. It was a skimpy red number that she thought would have more coverage when she’d bought it. But its triangle top might as well have been two tortilla chips strung together, and the “cheeky” bottoms were … well, she’d seen thongs with about as much coverage. It made her look hot, but she couldn’t ever wear it in public. So a private hot tub with her man? The perfect place. 

Annabeth looked over her appearance in the full length mirror on the back of the bathroom door, and she considered her pubic hair. The tiny bathing suit did not contain all of the blonde curls she’d let grow so far this fall and winter. In the summer, things got waxed, lest an unfortunate photo of her be taken. But in the winter, she could spare herself the pain and let things grow in. And anyway, Percy seemed to have an appreciation for it, even a preference. But she wasn’t sure if this escaping bush look was exactly sexy or hot. Which was why she was wearing the damn bathing suit. To be sexy and hot. 

She fiddled with the razor on the sink counter and contemplated what she wanted to do. 

And then Percy knocked. “You alright in there?” 

Annabeth jumped a little, startled by the sound of his voice. She pulled her robe over the swimsuit before opening the door. 

“Totally fine,” she promised him, “just taking a shower.” 

“The shower turned off ten minutes ago,” Percy said. 

“Well, I was trying to figure out if I should shave,” Annabeth explained. 

Percy smiled at her fondly. “Don’t bother. I know you shaved like … less than twenty four hours ago.” He mimicked her voice: “I can’t take a sexy shower, it needs to be an everything shower. Saving everything, scrubbing everything --” 

“You know I didn’t shave everything ,” she pointed out, pulling the robe around her a bit tighter. 

“Oh,” Percy said, looking at her confused, “why would you bother with that?” He rested his hands on her hips and pulled her in close. 

“Because you can see it while I’m wearing my bathing suit,” Annabeth explained. “It looks funny.” 

Percy kissed her forehead. “It’s a private hot tub, Princess. I was thinking we wouldn’t need bathing suits.” 

“Oh,” Annabeth said, playing dumb. She undid the ties of her robe as she leaned back from him. “So I should just,” she shrugged the robe off her shoulders so he could see the top, “take this off?” 

Percy’s eyes looked about ready to pop out of his skull. “Oh. My. God. Princess, where the hell have you been hiding that?” 

“In my closet. It’s too skimpy to wear in public without causing an international sex scandal,” Annabeth explained. 

“Oh and god forbid you’re ever involved in one of those,” Percy teased. He pulled her in tight. “Feel free to just wear it around the loft,” he said. 

“I’m glad you like it,” she said into his shoulder. “Should we see it in the water?” 

“Oh absolutely,” Percy said, walking them backwards out of the doorway of the bathroom. “Should I wear a bathing suit?” 

“Depends. Do you have any of those extra revealing little speedos?” She teases, reaching around to pinch his butt. 

“Not since Fire Island, 2022,” he said, and she couldn’t tell if he was serious or not. Annabeth imagined he’d be very popular there. 

Percy ended up putting on a bathing suit, and Annabeth ended up ignoring her pubic hair. Percy had tried to go into the hot tub naked at first, but Annabeth had giggled involuntarily and said: “It floats!” He climbed out and found his swim trunks after that. 

They settled into the warm, bubbly water with glasses of champagne and a lovely view of the snow-covered mountains. Annabeth was curled up into his side, his arm over her shoulder, his fingers tracing small circles on her shoulder. She’d piled all of her hair into a bun on the top of her head, and she hoped it wasn’t getting in his face too much. But he seemed to be doing okay. 

“I love you,” he said again, kissing the top of her head. 

Annabeth looked up and smiled at him, before kissing him on the mouth. “I love you too,” she said. Then her smile got wider. 

“What?” Percy asked, blushing and looking a little self-conscious. 

Annabeth ran a hand through his hair before kissing him again. “You want to marry me,” she said, reminding him of what she promised last night. 

Percy’s hand pushed against her shoulder a little, until she got the hint that he was trying to steer her somewhere. He pulled her into his lap, and his hands settled on her lower back. 

“I really, really do,” Percy promised. 

“You wouldn’t be King, you know,” Annabeth said, toying with his hair. 

“I know. I don’t want to be King,” he reassured her.

“The family name wouldn’t change to De Todos either.” 

Percy laughed. “Thank god.” 

She smiled. She hadn’t expected that he’d care much about that one anyway. He would probably care about the next part. 

“You’ll have to leave your job, leave New York, move to Sweden,” she said. 

“Annabeth,” he said resting a hand on her face, “I know. I’ve thought that all through. I’m okay with it. I want to do all of that with you. It’s not like I’ll never be allowed to go back to New York. And anyway I’ve looked at Sweden on Google Maps. It looks beautiful.” 

Percy pulled her in for a gentle kiss, and Annabeth let herself relax in his lap, as she threaded her fingers through his hair. He was so sweet, she thought, and he must really actually want to marry her. He’d thought about it so much, he’d even looked at Sweden on Google maps, that lovely, lovely man, and -- 

“You’ve never even been to Sweden,” Annabeth said, pulling away from him. 

Percy blinked, confused about why she was saying something so obvious and why they weren’t kissing anymore. 

“You’ve never even been to Sweden!” She repeated louder. “I can’t ask you to marry me and move to a new country that you’ve never even --” 

“I’m not sure if it matters really, but I would like to do the asking,” Percy said. 

“Oh why? Because you’re the man?” She asked. 

“No. Maybe? I just want to,” Percy said. He stroked her cheek gently, and it calmed her down. She kissed the inside of his palm. It tasted faintly of the chlorinated hot tub water. “I’m sure I’ll love Sweden,” he promised. 

“It’s dark and cold most of the year. More than New York. Certainly more than Spain,” Annabeth said. 

“Are you trying to talk me out of marrying you?” Percy asked. 

“No!” She said quickly. “God, no, not at all. I want to marry you too. I just don’t want you to make a mistake.” 

Percy pulled her face in closer, until their foreheads were touching. “Baby,” he said, his voice low and comforting, “stop talking about yourself like you’re a mistake. I don’t care if you’re queen of the Arctic, and I have to be prince of the penguins, you’re worth it.” 

Annabeth nodded. “Okay. You’d be a really cute penguin prince, though,” she said. 

Percy was smiling when he kissed her again. “Why don’t we go to Sweden, if you’re worried about it?” Percy suggested. 

“When?” she asked. 

“After this week? We could go straight from here to there,” Percy suggested. 

“How?” 

“I’ll call United Airlines and see if we can change our economy ticket,” he teased. “Princess, you’re the princess. You have a private jet.” 

“I know that,” she said with a smile. “I mean, your job? Your family? You promised Estelle you’d be home for Christmas.” 

“There’s a week and a half between the end of this trip and Christmas, and my job is whatever,” Percy said. Percy got a little more serious. There was something very sexy and rugged about him when he put aside his boyish charm for something more intense and real. “I want you to be my job. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, wherever you need me, that’s where I’ll be, that’s what I’ll do.” 

Annabeth nodded. “Okay, let’s go to Sweden,” she said smiling. “If you wanted -- and you don’t have to say yes! -- if you wanted to stay for Christmas, I’m sure there’s room in the palace for your mom, Estelle, and Paul.” 

“Stella would love that, actually,” Percy said. “Maybe I’ll tell her about it first. Then my mom won’t have a choice but to agree.” 

“Strategic,” Annabeth said. Percy just kissed her again, trying, she was sure, to kiss all the thoughts out of her mind. It didn’t quite work. “What if you hate it?” Annabeth asked. 

“I’ll suck it up,” Percy said quickly before pulling her in again. “You’re thinking too much,” he said, his mouth still against hers. 

Annabeth pouted against his mouth, and let her body shlump a little to match her lower lip. 

“Today isn’t about thinking or worrying,” Percy reminded her, “it’s about letting me take care of you. Because I am that fucking serious about you, Annabeth.” 

“Okay,” she said, trying to relax into his lap. 

“Good girl,” he said as she settled a bit. “I … probably shouldn’t fuck you in a hot tub.” 

“No, for sure not. Infection city,” she agreed. 

“Well, do you want your presents now?” Percy asked her. 

Annabeth smiled and nodded. “You’ve got one too,” she reminded him. 

Percy ran his fingers over the small triangles that barely covered her breasts. He used his thumb to push one aside and expose her nipple. “And it’s not this?” He asked. 

“No, I think you might like it more,” she said.   

“Well, I’d like to see it,” Percy said. 

Annabeth hummed as she kissed him again, his hand still on her breast. “I’m sure you would.” Annabeth wrapped her arms around his shoulders and deepened the kiss, slipping her tongue into his mouth and grabbing a bit of his hair. 

Percy’s hands slipped under the water to her ass. He pinched her a bit, holding her firm in his lap. 

“I’m still in charge, remember?” He said, breaking the kiss. Annabeth just moved her mouth from his to his jaw, and then down his neck, to a spot where she knew he was extra sensitive. 

“Oh I’m sorry baby,” she said, nipping a bit at the spot where his neck met his shoulder, “should I  stop?” 

Percy whined a bit, and for a moment Annabeth thought he might just give up and let their roles reverse. But then he was tugging on her hair again, pulling her face away from his neck, while his other hand pinched her nipple hard. 

Annabeth squeaked as pain mixed with pleasure again, although this time she didn’t cum. But it probably would take much. 

“Are you going to be good for me?” Percy asked her. 

She smiled at him. “No.” 

She watched Percy hold back a smile for the sake of their little game, before he pinched her nipple again.     

“You’re not going to make this easy for me are you?” He growled, although he couldn’t hide the smile on his face. 

“Get used to it,” Annabeth said with a smirk. 

~

She did choose to listen to his order to get out of the hot tub and dry off. Annabeth marched to the bathroom, grabbing one of her bags on the way, and leaving a trail of wet footprints behind her. 

Annabeht hung her wet suit in the shower and rinsed off quickly. She applied some perfume to key areas, added some touches of make up, let her hair down, and then pulled Percy’s present out of her bag. 

Every piece of the lingerie set was a vibrant royal blue color, from the lacy bra that really did nothing to support her breasts, to the thong panty Percy would probably make a mess of in short order, to the garter belt and stockings, and - her personal favorite part - the sheer baby doll teddy that went over it. Altogether, she thought she looked pretty hot, with just a touch of cute that she was sure Percy could admire. 

Annabeth applied a little more lip gloss before wondering what Percy might have in store for her. The obvious possibility dawned on her, and she undid the lower half of her little set to use the bathroom again. She wiped herself with a baby wipe and hoped that was sufficient. Her experienced bottom of a boyfriend had taught her the fundamentals of anal prep, but he hadn’t told her to go through them all, so he probably wasn’t planning on fully fucking her in the ass. Not with the combinations of foods he’d seen her eat since she threw up last night. 

With a deep, steadying breath, she pulled up her panties and reattached the stockings to the garters. 

He loves you, she reminded herself. And he should. Because you look great. She did a little twirl in the mirror. She hadn’t bothered to bring a pair of heels in; Percy didn’t seem to have strong opinions on footwear. 

“Are you ready?” She asked through a crack in the door. 

“Sure am,” Percy said. 

Annabeth bit her lip, getting a taste of her lip gloss with it, before stepping into the bedroom. 

Percy was standing by the bed, naked although not hard yet. Annabeth let her eyes scan from his cock up his reddening chest, to his pink face, and she smiled. 

“Do you like it?” She asked, holding out the hem of the baby doll dress and doing a little twirl. “The color remind me of y--” 

Percy pulled her into a rough kiss; his hands grabbed under her ass and hoisted her up until her legs were wrapped around his hips. It only took a few steps to get to the bed, where he tossed her onto the unmade bed. 

“Fuck,” Percy said, before crawling on top of her to kiss her again, his hips grinding down on her center. “I love you,” he promised, and Annabeth melted under him. “Gorgeous,” he kissed her collar bone then the tops of her breasts, “my gorgeous princess.” He pushed himself up and off of her. 

“My presents?” She asked, pressing herself up to kneel on the bed, her thighs resting back on her calves as she watched him. 

Percy smiled at her. “First …” he said, walking over to the closet. He pulled out one of her tiaras and placed it on top of her messy curls. “Perfect.” 

Annabeth smiled. “This is an antique,” she warned, adjusting it on her head. “And not likely to stay on through whatever you’ve got planned.” 

Percy kissed her again, his hand under her chin for a kiss that was soft and romantic, but full of promise. “Just let me enjoy this pretty picture for a moment,” he said. 

“It’s your present,” Annabeth said, coyly playing with the hem of the dress again. “You can do whatever you want to do to it.” 

Percy pulled her in gently by the chin again, and his kiss seemed to match. It felt incongruous in a way that almost felt like a rejection. Annabeth was pouting before the kiss was over, and Percy just laughed. 

“What?” Percy asked with a chuckle when he saw her face. 

“Not exactly the impassioned response I expected from a man who just tossed me on the bed,” Annabeth said. 

Percy kissed her again. Still gentle. “Baby girl, you need to be patient. We’re just getting started.” 

~

Percy asked her to sit still on the bed while he gathered his gifts for her. Annabeth tried not to wiggle with anticipation but was pretty much totally failing to stay still. Percy turned back to face her, a few things in his hands. 

“You’ve really never been diagnosed with ADHD?” He asked. 

Annabeth humphed. “Last night it was ‘have I ever been tested .’ We’re onto full blown diagnosis now?” 

Percy shrugged. “The only person I’ve ever met with less patience or tolerance for boredom is me ,” he said. 

Annabeth crossed her arms. “Do I get my presents now or do I need to throw you in the dungeon?” She asked. 

Percy smiled. “Where are you going to get a dungeon on such short notice?” He asked. 

“There’s a morgue in the basement. This whole place used to be a TB Sanatorium,” she said. 

Percy’s eyes went wide. “Do you think it’s haunted?” 

“Oh yeah,” Annabeth said. 

“Do you think the ghosts are kinky?” 

“Statistically, some probably are,” she said. 

“Well, I hope they like your presents,” Percy said before showing her what he brought. 

The first thing he showed her were a few pretty silk scarves. They’d be a nice addition to her wardrobe, but she guessed at their intended use at this moment. She held out her wrists for him, and Percy bound them together in one blue knot. Usually she preferred something with a little more friction, but Percy was smart to bring something that ran less of a risk of leaving a mark. And anyway, the solid wood headboard didn’t give them anything to tie her to.  

That meant Annabeth would have to behave. Or that it would be easy for her to ignore his demands. 

Percy looked at her, suspicious already, as if reading her mind. 

“I’ll behave,” she decided out loud. 

“Good,” he said with a gentle kiss. “How does that feel,” he asked, cradling her wrists in his hands. 

“Perfect,” she promised. 

“There’s one more thing …” 

Percy turned away from her and dug through his bag. When he turned around he was holding a black plug, smaller than any of the familiar ones he had at home. 

“Oh!” Annaneth said, a bit thrilled. “Is this new?” 

“New, and all yours,” Percy promised. He held it up so she could see it. It was simple, black silicone, with a gaudy blue jewel on the flared base that made her smile. 

While his spontaneous choice to lick her ass three months ago had almost instantly addicted her to certain sensations, Annabeth still wasn’t the experienced bottom her boyfriend was. The one time they tried full anal sex, she’d squirmed uncomfortably for a few minutes, trying to adjust to the new and vaguely overwhelming sensation, before asking him to stop. 

Percy promised that he wasn’t disappointed, but she was disappointed in herself.  

A little thing like this though? That would be the perfect little tease, she imagined. Based on the look on Percy’s face, she guessed he thought so too. 

“Can we use it now?” Annabeth asked. 

Percy nodded. “On your feet, baby.” 

He helped Annabeth off the bed, her balance thrown by her bound hands and the soft mattress. 

With her feet on the floor, she reached up and did her best to remove the tiara. “It was my grandmother’s,” she told him. “We need to be careful with it.” Percy took it from her and put it back in the box. “I bet we could get a cheaper one that doesn’t look half bad,” Annabeth suggested. 

“Fake diamonds?” Percy asked after returning the tiara. He rested his hands on her hips, and she put her bound hands over his head, holding him in the loop of her arms. They could have been slow dancing. 

“Lab grown,” Annabeth said. 

“That’ll be your next present,” Percy promised. Annabeth started to laugh. “What?” Percy asked. 

“I’m picturing our sex tiara getting passed down through generations of Swedish monarchs as some heirloom.” Percy started to laugh too. Annabeth affected her voice to sound like a museum tour guide. “And this was the tiara commissioned by the Prince Consort for the Queen in celebration of their courtship.” 

Percy was still laughing, but something in his eyes seemed to change. “Doesn’t seem like a bad future, all things considered,” he said in a low voice that made her stomach flutter. Her hands found their way into his hair despite the bindings, and she felt his hands press into her back. 

“Not bad at all,” she agreed. 

~

Percy needed to bend her over before one or both of them started crying. He let sentimental visions of their future fall aside for a moment as he pulled her in tight, this time for a searing kiss that was anything but gentle. It did the job and seemed to catch her off guard enough that she nearly melted in his arms. 

Percy held her up before turning her around and pressing a hand into her back, forcing her over as she moaned. 

The lingerie was really something else. All of her usual underwear was fancy, sure, but this was different. The blue looked beautiful on her, and the way the lace and sheer fabric teased at the body under it only made him want it more. He didn’t even know it was possible to want her more than he did, but there she was, finding ways. 

Percy pressed a kiss between her shoulder blades, his body folded over hers. Annabeth’s arms were out in front of her, her face tilted to the side so he could just see half of her. Percy leaned up to kiss her cheek then, before turning his attention lower again. The fabric of the dress was so thin he could feel the warmth of her skin through it as if it weren’t there. He let his hands roam slowly from her waist, to her hips, to the tops of her thighs where they found the hem. Percy pulled back off of her just enough to look at her, as he pushed the fabric up to her lower back, exposing her ass for him. 

Percy pushed the panties down, but the garter holding up the tights meant they couldn’t go lower than her knees without undoing the clips. He thought for a moment, and decided that this would do for now. 

He could hear her breathing against the soft blankets of their bed, not panting yet, but breathing deep with anticipation. Percy knew her well enough to know what she wanted, and he was just enough of a push over to give it to her. 

Percy sank to his knees behind her, and licked around the ring of muscle, pulling a groan out of Annabeth, before probing it a bit. She simply had an ass too perfect not to devour. He snaked a hand between her legs and rubbed at her clit as he kept licking her bum. Percy’s pace was slower than he knew she liked, but that was part of the fun. 

She was wet, but not dripping. He wanted puddles before he entered her. He wanted to make his princess a real mess. They had a big state dinner in a few hours, and he wanted her to sit there, the memory of all of this fresh in her mind. 

“Percy, Per --” she stuttered. “I need more,” she pleaded. Percy pulled his mouth away, and then his hand. “I said more -- oh! ” 

Percy gave one cheek a hard spank, and Annabeth yelped, burying her face in the duvet. 

“You’re out of demands, Princess,” he reminded her, before pulling her cheeks apart again. “Comfy?” He asked. 

“Yes,” Annabeth said. 

“Good. I think we should even these cheeks out, don’t you?” He wondered. Annabeth nodded from her place face down on the bed. Percy smacked the other cheek hard, before rubbing both to spread out the impact. Then his fingers went back to her cunt. Wetter now. Not that he was surprised. Annabeth had a thing for impact play that Percy worried would one day result in him being tried for treason or terrorism in a Swedish court if they broke up. 

“Two more for good luck?” He asked. She nodded. Percy smacked one cheek, then the other. “But this isn’t the kind of attention your ass wants, is it?” He asked.

~

Annabeth shivered at the sound of his voice behind her. As deep as it was, there was always something so sweet to it, reassuring and full of promise even when she was this vulnerable. 

“No, it’s not,” she said. “Please?” She asked nicely, trying to find the sweetness in her own voice to urge him on. 

She felt Percy’s hand on her mid-back, holding her still and pressing her into the mattress. Her thighs were starting to shake a bit, struggling to hold her up like this. 

“Relax, Annabeth,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. She was tempted to tell him to try and relax with his ass in the air, but, well … he’d probably take her up on the challenge and then where would she be? “I’m going to take care of you. Just breathe.” 

Annabeth listened for once and took a deep breath as she felt a finger dip languidly into her cunt and then back out again. A moment later, she felt his finger against her other hole. She breathed again as it slipped inside, mostly just, just a bit of herself on his finger. He didn’t go far, just a knuckle or so, a gentle, tantalizing stretch to start. Annabeth bit her tongue, trying not to beg for more. 

~

Percy pulled out before he could go too deep and hurt her, keeping the nearly-dry finger on her gently rubbing, as he reached for the lube with the other hand. He dropped a little onto his fingers, trying to warm it up a bit for her, but, “it might be a bit cold.” 

“That’s okay,” she promised. 

Annabeth took another deep breath as he pressed this time, relaxing around him the way he’d taught her. “Good,” he said with a smile as his fingers slipped in easily.  

Annabeth whimpered, and Percy just pressed himself forward, draping himself over her back again to kiss her neck as his fingers slid in deeper. Percy’s left hand was still clean, and he used that to reach around to her cunt. Much wetter now. Although some of it might be lube, he considered. In any case, she was just about where he wanted her. 

“How do you feel?” Percy said as he slid his finger in and out. 

“Good,” Annabeth promised, “like I need more.” 

“More what?” Percy asked. 

“Whatever you’ll give me,” she said, avoiding making a demand. 

His own desire was starting to become hard to ignore. He’d been hard pretty much since she decided to show off her new little outfit, but now every animal instinct was screaming at him to stop toying with her and just take her. He started to grind up against the fat of her ass in time with his fingers moving inside her. 

“Good girl,” Percy said again, and he rewarded her with another finger. He let her enjoy that wonderful stretch for a minute, moving his fingers slowly, before asking: “Do you need me to fuck you, Princess?” God he hoped the answer was yes. The problem with trying to tease Annabeth into patience was that he wasn't particularly patient himself. 

“Yes, please,” she begged. Percy let out a relieved breath and pulled back a little.

“Do you want me to work a plug into that pretty ass?” Percy asked. 

“Yes, yes,” Annabeth agreed, nodding her head against the blankets and making a mess of her curls. . 

“I’m going to slip these,” he wiggled his fingers, “out now, okay?” 

“Okay,” she said. 

He went slow, and then wiped them on the sheets when he was done. Percy let Annabeth breathe for a moment as he undid the clips of her garters and let her panties drop to the floor. 

“Step out of those for me, baby,” Percy said. He noticed her legs were shaky as she did. Percy pressed a kiss into her lower back before lifting her left leg onto the bed to keep her spread wide for him. 

Percy leaned back to admire her for a moment, touching himself lightly just to hold back some of his unbearable desire. Her royal blue stockings went up past her knees, where they gave way to the winter-pale planes of her upper thighs. The garters hung loose and the dress was pushed up to her hips; he’d already made a mess of her ensemble. Her panties were somewhere discarded on the ground. In between her legs were the sensitive, delicious parts of her that seemed to just be waiting for him to use them. 

Percy ran his hands over her ass. “Would you let me fuck you like this?” He asked. 

Annabeth craned her neck to try and look at him. “Depends on which hole,” she said with a smile. Percy smiled back; their first attempt at her receiving anal hadn’t been a total disaster, but she hadn’t enjoyed it as much as either of them had expected. He knew it had disappointed her, but they were slowly working their way back to another attempt. 

Percy leaned forward and kissed her cheek, his cock brushing along her back and rubbing against the bunched blue fabric. Annabeth scrunched up her face at the kiss. She’d also never become a fan of any ass-to-mouth and getting this close to her mouth was pushing it. Percy leaned back. 

“We’ve already got plans for you ass,” he reminded her. 

~

“Tell me if this hurts or you need to stop,” Percy said. Annabeth smiled, happy to finally be getting on with it. She thought he’d demonstrated a good amount of patience, thank you very much, and she was ready for the real fun to start. 

“I will, I promise,” she said. She felt the tip of the toy press against her, a little cold from the lube. She did her best to relax and let it enter her. 

The first part slipped in easily, but there was a bit more of a stretch when he reached the widest part. The stretch was the ideal mix of mostly pleasure with a bit of pain, as the sensitive nerves behind her lit up with sensation, and her body worked to accommodate it. 

Annabeth let out a scream that she was sure could be heard in the hallway. She hoped the rest of her family had gone out for the day. Percy paused at the sound. 

“Don’t stop, please,” Annabeth said, coaxing him to press in deeper. Percy pushed forward, until it was settled inside her. She wiggled her hips as her hole adjusted to it. He had picked out the perfect size for her -- she felt full, and each wiggle of her hips or flex of her muscles ignited new pleasure for her. Without thinking, she shifted her legs, putting both feet back on the ground as she tried to grind against the bed. 

Percy grabbed her hips and held her still. He hadn’t made her cum since their fun that morning, and now she felt desperately close to an edge that she needed to reach. Her face felt hot, and her lower body drummed with desire. If Percy didn’t fuck her soon she’d … she’d …? 

“I’m going to take care of you,” Percy promised. “Just give yourself a minute. How does that feel?” Percy asked. 

“It’s perfect,” Annabeth said. Percy grabbed one of her thighs and lifted it back onto the bed, no doubt hoping to take long gazes at his handy work. 

“You’re leaving puddles on our bed,” he said. She could hear the smirk in his voice. She wouldn’t be surprised. She could feel her own dampness between her thighs, and her arousal was certainly unignorable. Puddles didn’t seem impossible. 

“It’s probably the lube,” Annabeth said, trying to curb his smugness. 

And then she felt his fingers inside her again, pushing up against her front walls so gently. Annabeth buried her face in the blankets to muffle a moan. Her hips started to rock with him, as her hands grasped uselessly for something to grab onto despite their binding. Was this really all she needed from him? Just the most feather-light touch once he plugged her ass? Had he really managed to make things that simple? 

The relief of her orgasm brought tears to her eyes as she breathed through the waves of it. 

When she finished, she felt Percy’s hands on her hips, and he hoisted her onto the bed fully, tossing her around like a rag doll. Which she might as well have been at that point. All of her limbs felt like useless noodles. 

“Good,” Percy said, running a hand up her back to pull her teddy back in place. He moved her a bit until she was laying face down on the bed longways as if he was going to tuck her in for a nap. 

“Will you be alright for just a minute while I wash up?” Percy asked. 

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be fine,” she promised. “Do you want me to stay like this?” 

Percy kissed her bare ass cheek. “Get in whatever position you want. You’ve earned that,” he said before heading to the bathroom. Annabeth felt proud of herself. She couldn’t help it. 

~

When he came back a minute later, she was on all fours, propped up on her elbows, a towel under her knees. Smart woman , he thought. Percy thought she might choose a different position, go for some diversity, but she liked what she liked, and he couldn’t complain. 

“Is this okay?” Annabeth asked. 

“More than perfect,” Percy promised as he climbed into bed and settled behind her. His cock rested up against her entrance, teasing himself more than her at this point, but he still forced himself to wait just a little bit. 

Percy reached around and touched her clit first, rolling the bud between two fingers. Annabeth rolled her hips to match Percy’s rhythm, and he didn’t stop her. He rested a hand on his waist to balance himself more than control any more of her movements. 

But then she pushed her hips back towards him, trying, it seemed, to pull him inside her on her own. 

Percy finally caved, resting his face against her back, barely holding back some very non-Dom noises, before gripping her hips tight with both hands and trying to regain his control over the situation and himself. 

“I need to be inside you,” he said, hoping it sounded more commanding than it did whiny and pathetic.  

“What are you waiting for?” She asked, pushing her ass back again to try to try and find him. 

Percy gripped her hips, and thrust into her fast, settling deep inside her. That shut her up. Annabeth gasped out a breathy “ yes ,” confirming -- without demanding -- that a rougher pace was absolutely welcome. She dropped her elbows, falling all the way forward until her forehead was against the blankets, and her back arched. Percy held his grip on her, and allowed himself a few selfish, rough thrusts into her, rocking her forward each time. 

“Percy, I need --” Annabeth started. 

Percy almost laughed. His thrusts started to slow as he leaned forward, resting his forehead between her shoulder blades as he asked: “What could you need, Princess?” Annabeth just buried her face in the blankets, stifling any comment she might have made back, probably worried he’d keep her on edge again. 

He knew what she needed of course. But instead of reaching around for her clit as he kept moving inside her, he just let one hand run over her ass to toy with the plug, upping the sensation there. Annabeth gasped, her head lifting off the blankets again. 

Percy felt her clench around him, and he let out a groan as his grip on her hips tightened, trying to still her movements as much as possible so that he was the only one in control. He was already getting close. All that teasing he’d done to her hadn’t left him unaffected. 

“Was this what you needed, Annabeth?” Percy asked. 

“No but -- fuck -- it might make me cum anyway,” she said, rocking her hips back onto him and clenching again, despite his hold on her. 

Percy swatted at her ass, spanking her again before gripping her hips even tighter to finally stop her from moving on her own. 

“Are you trying to make me cum in three minutes?” He asked. 

Annabeth turned her head back to look at him as best she could. Her hair was in her face, her cheeks red, her lips swollen. 

“That’s twenty-one minutes in doggy style years,” she said with a dumb grin. 

He bit his tongue to keep himself from saying marry me outright. He kept his mind off of chapels and wedding cakes for the moment by rolling his eyes and pulling out of her. 

“ Hey -- !” she yelped as Percy grabbed her hips and flipped her over. Now, she was pouting under him. “You said I got to choose,” she said. 

Percy leaned down and kissed her, adjusting himself to slip back inside her as her legs wrapped around his hips. “You’re a spoiled brat,” Percy told her, pressing kisses into her face, before trailing them down her neck to her chest, and then the tops of her breasts. One breast had escaped the thin, lacy bra at some point, and he used the moment to wrap his mouth around her nipple as he picked back up to the harder pace he knew she wanted. He kept one hand under her ass to hold her up, not so subtly toying with the plug as he did. 

Annabeth smiled against his mouth, and her still-bound hands went over his head to rest at the base of his neck. “Your fault for falling in love with an only child and literal princess.” 

“Yeah,” was all Percy managed as he tried to think about not finishing too quickly. 

“Why’d you flip me, baby? Did you not like the view from the back?” Annabeth asked, only teasing, no insecurity in her voice. Annabeth was using her legs to pull him deeper into her. Percy was pretty sure he’d be King of Spain before he ever became a successful brat tamer.   

“I missed your face,” Percy said, kissing her again. And that was the truth. For all deep, hard fucking doggy allowed them, it kept him from seeing her eyes, or kissing her perfect mouth. He never wanted to be far from her, not really. Not during sex or ever, anywhere. Percy worked a hand into her hair and gave it a tug, earning him a cry of pleasure from Annabeth who started begging him to touch her clit. But all he could think about in that moment was kissing her, pressing all his weight onto her, enjoying the warmth and comfort that came from being inside her, and kissing her like it was the last time he’d ever get to. 

When he finally broke apart from her to breath, he moved his hand down to her other breast, the one still barely in the bra. He pinched at her nipple, and when she arched her back off the mattress, he regretted not pulling out the clamps as well. They suited her so perfectly. 

“Percy -- Percy please!” Annabeth’s desperate cries were getting louder, and distantly he hoped any important government people or close personal family members were too busy skiing to snoop on their private room. 

But he was starting to get really close now. If she were edging him, she’d pull away right about now. And he didn't want to cum before she did. 

Percy pulled out and slipped down to her cunt quickly. “Fuck you --!” She breathed, before gasping as he replaced his cock with his fingers and sealed his mouth over her clit. Her regular, more neutral taste mixed a bit with the unpleasant taste of lube, but he figured that wasn’t the least sanctuary thing he’d put his mouth on so far today.

He settled on a rhythm of circling her clit with his tongue, and then offering a little suck, before repeating. Two of his fingers slipped inside her as well, some substitute for his dick. They were smaller, but more precise, and he’d quickly learned exactly where she wanted them. He grazed her front walls gently rubbing with two fingers hardly two inches deep as he sucked at her clit. 

It didn’t take long then. Percy felt her hands in his hair, pulling him, despite her bindings, holding him close to her cunt as she came, repeating a chorus of “fuck, I love you,” over and over. 

She didn’t squirt that time, but he was almost relieved. If she had, he probably would have finished in the sheets instead of in her cunt like she’d asked. 

Percy settled back on top of her, kissing her hard, slipping his tongue into her mouth so she could taste herself (and some lube, but what could you do?). He grabbed a handful of blonde curls, pulling slightly as he thrust back into her. 

“I love you too, Annabeth,” he promised. “Fuck, baby, can I --?” 

Her legs tightened around him. “Please, I need to feel you,” she begged. 

Percy couldn’t deny her or hold himself back another moment. With a grunt he buried himself inside her, his hard cock pulsing as he came. She held onto him tight, keeping his body pressed to hers as he came. 

“That feels so good,” Annabeth said with a satisfied smile. 

Percy rested a head on her shoulder. “You’re unreal,” he said. 

“I’m very real,” was all Annabeth had to say. He felt her hands in his hair, gentler now, combing through, not pulling.

“I love you,” Percy said again. Percy pressed a kiss to her collarbone as his soft cock slipped out. He kissed her neck, then up to her cheek, before pecking her lips. 

“You made a real mess of me,” she said with a satisfied smile, her eyes straining to look at her outfit under him. The dress was crumpled up at her waist, her breasts out of the bra, the lace pushed under them. One stocking was still up, but the other had rolled down to her ankle. And she was sitting in the now-damp sex towel. 

“I have half a mind to slip those pretty blue panties back on you and send you to dinner as you are,” Percy said, before sealing his mouth over her breast and sucking at the nipple. Annabeth whined, and Percy decided to slip two fingers back into her, since she obviously wasn’t satisfied yet. 

“Oh!” She gasped as his fingers curled. It didn’t take much after that. She was so sensitive and worked up that Percy just needed to let her tease herself with the plug, wiggling under him a bit, touch, move his fingers a bit, and pinch her nipple before she came, offering him another breathy: “I love you,” as she did. 

“I love you too,” he promised. 

His fingers were covered in both of their cum when he slipped them out. He held them up to her, and she just opened her mouth, compliant, and he let her suck them clean. If he were still 16, he’d probably would have gotten hard again on that sight alone.

 Now, all he could do was look and try to remember the satisfied gaze in her eyes when he was back to his own hand in his drafty New York loft while she spent time being a princess in Sweden. He pushed the inevitable post-Christmas long-distance period out of his mind. It was always part of the plan for her to spend a few months back home after her stint in New York. But she would come see him, she promised. Percy wasn’t worried. He’d just miss her something awful. 

“Satisfied?” He asked. She nodded. 

Percy kissed her gently, before scooting off of her. “Roll over, sweetheart,” he said. Annabeth listened to him for once. Percy gently hooked his fingers under the flared base of the plug and began to slowly slip it out of her. Annabeth whined a bit as he did, but she didn’t seem to be in any real pain. He set the dirty thing on the nightstand, before going back to rub her lower back gently. 

Annabeth, still flat on her tummy, bent her arms at the elbows to hold up her still bound hands. 

“I’m getting there,” Percy said, reaching forward to undo the ties. The silk hadn’t left any marks, which was a relief. Annabeth just folded her arms under her head for a pillow as Percy kept rubbing her back. 

“How do you feel?” He asked. 

“So, so good. That was amazing, Percy,” she said. “You were perfect.”  

Percy beamed. “Yeah, you too!” You dork ass loser , he thought to himself. “Are you ready for a cuddle?” He asked. 

Annabeth shafted, scooting out from under his hands. “Let me pee first. Once we start cuddling, I don’t plan to move again until we get dressed,” she said, slipping out of the bed. When she was back on her feet, she stretched her arms over her head, giving Percy one more good look at her ass. Then she reached to the hem of her teddy and pulled it up over her head. She tossed the sheer garment his way with a smirk. Then she rolled off the stockings, the garter belt, and unhooked the bra. 

“You know the strip tease is supposed to come before the sex, right?” Percy asked her. 

She just tossed the bra at his face before strutting off. 

Percy dropped it off the side of the bed, excited for the next time she decided to surprise him with it. He wiped his dick off on the sex towel, before dropping that off the side of the bed too. He got comfy under the also-ruined blankets and waited for Annabeth.  

When Annabeth came back, he was under the blankets, arms open, waiting for her. 

Annabeth crawled in right away and pulled the covers over both of them, no concern for the state of the blankets. She hooked a leg over one of his thighs, and then settled into his side, her head on his chest, an arm over him. 

“You did such a good job, baby,” Percy said, petting her hair. “You’re so perfect.” 

Annabeth hummed and snuggled in closer. “I thought I was a spoiled brat,” she said, her eyes already closing. 

“You were, but you know I love it,” Percy said. 

“And you love me?” She asked as if it were still an unsettled question. 

Percy leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “So, so much, baby,” he said. “How’s your bum?” 

Annabeth’s hips wiggled a bit. “Oh, it’s good. That was a really nice surprise,” she said. “But I think you’re creating a monster.” 

Percy made a noise of approval. “I can live with that.” He’d seen her pack her strap-on; he’d be her bottom in a day or two, he was sure. 

“And your dirty talk is really getting better!” She said. 

Percy gave her a squeeze. “Thanks!” He said, genuinely happy to hear how satisfied she was. Talking was Annabeth’s big thing, more than spanking or bondage. 

They were quiet for a few minutes, with Percy just petting her hair as she fell asleep against him. He was pretty sure she was out cold, but then she groaned and buried her head in his side. 

“Baby?” He asked. 

“I’m thirsty,” she complained. 

Percy started to move, “I’ll get --” but she held him in place. 

“That’s the problem. I’m thirsty, but I don’t want either of us to move.” 

“Well that is a predicament,” Percy said. “Sorry I can’t control water.”

She rolled over, reaching for her phone, while trying to stay as close to his body as possible. 

“What are you doing?” Percy asked as she typed a few things. 

“I’m a princess surrounded by staff,” she texted someone something in Swedish. “What’s the point of all this privilege if I have to let go of my man to get a drink of water?” 

“Might as well tear the whole institution down,” Percy agreed. 

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. 

“Your highness,” a man’s voice called. Even Percy recognized it. 

“Anders?” Annabeth said, a slight look of regret on her face. “Sorry, I thought you’d send someone.” 

“You asked for someone discreet, ma’am. Given the press’s recent interest in your relationship, I thought this would be best. Should I come in?” 

The man had at one point been the King’s valet, but he’d been promoted to personal secretary. Percy knew those jobs had little to do with one another, but that did all seem like the kind of eccentric choice Annabeth’s dad would make if he liked someone. And Anders was certainly proving his loyalty now. 

“No,” Annabeth said, kicking Percy under the blankets as she mouthed go. So much for not needing to get out of bed. 

Percy threw on a hotel robe and opened the door as Annabeth dove under the blankets. 

“Ah, Don Pedro,” Anders said as if he was surprised to see Percy there. The poor man wore the face of a long-overworked and flustered professional leaning on every ounce of decorum to hold it together. “Should we expect you and the princess at dinner?” 

“Yes, thank you Anders!” Annabeth called, peeking out from under the blanket. Now that she’d shown face, Anders was obligated to bow to the princess, before handing Percy the two water bottles. 

“Anything else I can do for you, ma’am?” Anders asked. 

“No, thank you. You’re an asset to the family, as always, thank you,” Annabeth said, finally letting the man close the door and leaving them in privacy. 

Percy turned around, and before he looked back at Annabeth, he realized with some horror that they’d left the butt plug upright on the nightstand in plain view, and her blue teddy was on the floor, also plenty visible next to her matching bra and stockings. 

“I’ve known him since I was a baby,” Annabeth said with some horror. 

“Do you think you’ll get in trouble with your father?” Percy asked genuinely. 

That broke Annabeth’s embarrassment. All she did was laugh at the suggestion.

“You can really get away with murder, can’t you?” Percy asked as he handed her a bottle and took a long drink of his own. 

“Perks of being loved by everyone,” she said with a smile.  

Percy pulled her back into his side as he slid back into bed. “Including me,” he reminded her. 

Annabeth kissed him while she smiled, so it was only a touch of the lips. “Yeah!” She said with a wide, adorable smile, “I love you too.” 

Before long, she was back in his arms, already asleep. He’d only let her sleep for about an hour. They had that fancy dinner tonight that she had to get ready for. They were both due for another shower. He couldn’t send his princess down to dinner with his cum still inside her. 

Well. 

Maybe he could. 

~

Technically, Anders was drinking on the job. But also technically, he was rarely ever off the job. And his boss had been encouraging him to let loose a little and enjoy the vacation. His boss, of course, being the King of Sweden. Father to a darling young girl he’d known since she was a baby. Ambritt was like ... well not a daughter to him. A niece. Yes, she was like a niece to him. 

So it made all of that plenty awkward for both of them. He had suspicions about the need for discretion, and her own assistant was relatively new. It would be better for him to handle it. Didn’t mean he didn’t regret doing it. 

There were some concerns Ambritt was dating a homosexual. Well, Anders certainly found that hard to believe. 

“Ah, Anders!” The King’s voice said as he entered the room. 

Anders set his drink down and turned to bow. “Your majesty,” he said. 

“I’m glad to see you finally enjoying yourself,” the King said with a smile, before placing his order. “Has someone found Ambritt and brought her inside. You know how she loses track of time on that mountain, and it is really important she shows up to dinner tonight,” the King said. 

Anders tried not to flush. “The princess hasn’t left her room all day, Your Majesty,” he said. 

“She hasn’t? Is she alright?” The King asked, new concern on his face. 

“Oh, fine, she’s fine,” Anders assured him. “She and Don Pedro simply … decided to spend today enjoying the lodge's amenities.” 

The King seemed … pleased by this news, if not a bit confused by it. That his daughter had spent the day inside to indiscreetly share the private company of a man she was not married to didn’t seem to bother him at all. He had to wonder if the King was simply indifferent to his daughter’s sexual affairs or completely ignorant to the ones that weren’t front page news. Anders had not seen the King with a woman in over twenty years now. Maybe it was the martini thinking, but he had to wonder if the King remembered what sex was. 

“Don Pe --? Oh Percy, right. Remind me to invite him to Stockholm one of these day,” the King said, grabbing his drink and heading back out of the room in a flash, as Anders typed a reminder into his phone, before alerting a few relevant parties that the Spanish almost-prince would likely be joining them in Sweden soon. Don Pedro certainly wouldn’t be able to ignore the invitation of the King. Not if he ever hoped to marry their princess. Anders hoped he did. He couldn’t remember ever seeing Ambritt so happy. 

~

Annabeth took a deep breath in the elevator and gave Percy’s hand one last good squeeze. She hoped people weren't gossiping about her absence today, and she hoped the pink fluish in her cheeks from orgasm after orgasm looked like a healthy glow more than anything else. 

Her gown tonight was simple, long, slim, and strapless without frills or beeding, in a deep navy blue color. There was a long matching scarf that went around the front of her neck then fell down her back in long tails. She’d done her hair up in a French twist, and added some red lipstick for some old Parisian glamor. 

And clean panties under it, despite Percy’s several suggestions that she should wear the ones from earlier. 

“You look gorgeous,” Percy said, kissing her hand. 

“Thank you,” she said. “You look very handsome yourself.” 

“Any game plan for tonight’s dinner?” Percy asked. 

“Oh, just don’t tell anyone what we were actually up to today, and don’t mention going to Sweden or us getting married until I ask my dad,” Annabeth said. 

They stepped out of the elevator, and almost instantly were found by her dad. 

Percy bowed and offered the appropriate greeting as Annabeth just gave him a hug. 

“I’m glad to find you both so soon,” Fred said to them. “I was thinking about what you said last night Percy, about never having been to Sweden. Well, I thought it might be nice if you travel back with us.” Annabeth smiled and looked at Percy, who was doing a good job of acting like he hadn’t thought about that before. “You could even stay for Christmas if you’d like.” 

“Daddy, that’s so nice, but Percy promised his family he’d stay in New York,” Annnabeth said, hoping to move the right conversation chess pieces. 

“Well, I don’t see why Sally couldn’t join us? And your step father and sister too, of course,” Fred added. 

Percy smiled. “This is a wonderful idea, sit. I would enjoy that. Thank you so much for the invitation.” 

“Great!” Her dad said. “I’ll have Anders start making arrangements. Go get something to drink. Dinner should start before long,” her dad said, before wandering off. 

“Well!” Percy said. “He made that easy!” 

Annabeth laughed. “Well, no getting out of it now. You’ve got the official invitation. Should we get a drink?” 

“I’m starving,” Percy said. “I think I’ll be on the floor if I have a glass of wine before eating something.” 

“Yeah,” Annabeth agreed. They’d completely forgotten about lunch between their late breakfast and sex fest. Now they were both thoroughly famished. “Let’s hope dinner is good.” 

The food was good, and for the most part, the conversation was pleasant as well. 

“So, Don Pedro, I hear you're joining us for Christmas,” her uncle said loud enough that several people stopped eating and turned to look at them. Annabeth was sure she could see a few lower level parliament members and distant family take out their phones to leak this news to the press. Annabeth suspected word would get out, but she had hoped it wouldn’t be before they’d even left the lodge. 

Going to Sweden for Christmas was no frivolous vacation. Annabeth wondered just how many hours would pass before getting a Google News Alert that some rag publication speculated on their imminent engagement. 

“I’m hoping to, sir,” Percy said, resting his fork and knife on the plate for a moment. “It depends on if my family wants to join. I promised my sister I’d spend Christmas with her.” 

“They’re invited, of course,” her father said to the table. “We’re just waiting to get the invitation to them.” 

A few people nodded at the clarification. 

Randolph seemed to be studying Percy, and then his gaze turned back to Annabeth as if to say remember what we talked about last night. But Annabeth wasn’t anxious or wilting today. She held her uncle's gaze, sat up straighter, and kept eating without a word. 

“Well, we look forward to hosting. Will your brothers be joining?” Randolph asked. 

“No,” Percy said, without waiting for her dad to extend an invitation. “I’m not terribly close with my brothers, and they really don’t get along with my mother.” 

Randolph nodded and left the conversation at that. It took a few minutes for conversation to reach a comfortable level of chatter again. Annabeth was just grateful that no one dared to ask either of them where they’d been all day. 

~

“[You look happy,]” Magnus said to her after dinner. 

Annabeth smiled. “[I am,]” she promised. 

“[You looked … bad last night,]” he said. 

“[Gee, thanks,]” Annabeth deadpanned. “[I wasn't doing well. But things are okay now.]” 

“[I hope I wasn’t too pushy,]” Magnus offered. She waited to see if he’d make a full apology, but he didn’t. 

“[You were a bit intense,]” Annabeth said. 

“[Sorry.]”

“[It’s okay. It got Percy and me to talk about some important things,]” Annabeth said. 

“[Oh? Like …]” Magnus seemed genuinely curious. Annabeth worried about starting rumors, but she had always been able to trust her cousin. 

“[Promise not to tell?]” Annabeth asked with a smile. 

“[I never would, you know that,]” Magnus said back. 

“[We want to get married,]” she whispered. 

Magnus smiled, a real, wide, genuine smile. “[When?]” 

“[He has to ask my father and get a ring, but, whenever we want really.]” She was smiling too, she couldn’t help it. 

“[He seems pretty perfect for you,]” Magnus said, before gesturing behind her. Annabeth turned and saw Percy with an extra glass of red wine in his hand, which he handed over to her. 

“He is perfect for me,” she said in English, before leaving up to kiss Percy’s cheek. 

~

For the second night in a row, Annabeth found herself cornered.

“[Excuse me, Princess,]” Albin, their press secretary said to her, “[may I have a word?]” 

Annaberth nodded and found herself being led to a more private room where they could talk. 

“[I thought I would discuss this with you before bringing the issue to your father,]” Albin started. “[It’s about Don Pedro.]” 

Annabeth hated when people called him that. She took a breath and wondered what secret information Albin could have on Percy that Annabeth didn’t already know. And then her heart started to beat faster. Were there things she didn’t know? Had they found something concerning, something would change ---

“[There are some suspicions that he is a homosexual. We thought these were baseless rumors, but we’ve been able to variety past relationships with men.]” 

Annabeth would have laughed if she didn’t feel so suddenly angry. One day the message was to marry the man as quickly as possible, whether he loves you or not, and the next day the message is that he’s unsuitable because of his past lovers? Well, if they wanted to try and push her away from Percy because of his past, they’d have to start paying attention to hers too. Her mind moved fast to figure out how to move through this conversation and end it as swiftly as possible. 

 Annabeth let out a deep breath and stood up straighter. “[I wonder, Albin, if you’ve heard the rumors that I’m also a homosexual?] ” She dragged out the last words, mocking him. 

“[I -- no … Princess …]” That was a lie, she knew. He’d had to navigate those rumors himself. 

Annabeth picked her next words carefully, hoping to both dispel any palace concerns about Percy’s viability as a partner without outting him. 

“[There’s nothing about Percy that I don’t know. We understand one another, and we love one another. And frankly, I find your concern about these rumors homophobic and out of line with our nation’s values. You will not bring this up to my father, or my aunt or uncle. There is no problem here. You’re dismissed,]” she said, holding her arm out towards the door. 

Albin bowed his head before stepping out. 

Annabeth paced around the room for a moment. It was smaller than the one she’d ended up in last night. It was obviously being used for someone’s office. There was a desk towards the back wall. Annabeth walked towards it to snoop, and realized, obviously, Albin had been the one using this space. She shuffled through papers on Percy’s family, print outs of his instagram, and blurry photos of him and Frank from years ago. Annabeth smiled to know she’d kicked the man out of her own office. 

There was a post-it note on the photo of Percy and Frank. They were only holding hands in the picture, but it was pretty clearly romantic. Annabeth grabbed another post-it and wrote: [His name is Frank. He’s nice. Leave him alone ] before singing her name and leaving it for Albin. See it seemed to read there’s nothing I don’t know about him. 

~ 

“Are you okay?” Percy asked Annabeth. He’d lost her for a few minutes, and had only just found her again, stepping out of a room by herself. 

“I’m fine,” she said. “Well --” and then she switched to Spanish, which meant there was something she wanted to say to him that she didn’t want people to overhear. “[Our press secretary thought it was absolutely vital to warn me that you’re queer.]” 

Percy’s insides ran cold even as his face went hot, an unpleasant mix that left him wanting to go anywhere else. Upstairs? Home? The bottom of the ocean? Any of those sounded like good choices. 

But he could tell from her face that she was as angry at her press secretary as she was worried about him. 

“[I didn’t tell him …]” she started, before starting over. “[I made it clear that we know everything about each other, and that there’s nothing about you that worries me.]” She rested a hand on his face. “[Because there’s not, Percy. I love you.]” 

“[I know, I love you too,]” he said, finding some words. “[I just don’t want this to be a problem for you in the news --]” 

“[It’s not a problem for me anywhere!]” She said, losing control of the volume of her voice a little, before bringing it back down. “[I’ve told you before, it doesn’t matter to me, and no matter what happens, I’m with you. I’m serious about that, baby. I’m serious about you. You make me feel real, you, you …]”

Percy could see tears welling in her eyes. If it didn’t break his heart so much to see her cry, he’d find it adorable and endearing how easily serious emotions turned into tears for her. 

Percy pulled her in close for a hug. “[I believe you,]” he promised. Annabeth gave him a big squeeze, before pulling away. He watched her close her eyes to center herself and let her feelings pass by. 

“[Together?]” Annnabeth said. 

There were a few things that could mean, but he didn’t care which one she meant. As long as he and Annabeth were together, everything would be okay. So he nodded. “[Together.]”