Percabeth for Life

That was how I came to understand what my dad had meant. Theseus was the heir – he was crown prince – and he could not have the people thinking him to be some scoundrel. No matter the cost.

I was willing to rip my reputation apart, willing to drag my name through the mud… so long as the kingdom stayed together, so long as it stayed safe.

What I did caused Theseus to mature far beyond his years. It made him strive to be a King that was worthy of the throne.

And me? Well, I continued to do stupid things. After all I would never be the Crown Prince, the one who would compete against the Elect in a vote that would decide the next King. Or so I thought.

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The unraveling of my world began 5 years after my first stunt when Theseus told me he was to marry the princess of Athens. I of course snorted in disbelief; he already had a girlfriend - the daughter of the Commander, Reyna. As far as I knew things were becoming rather serious between them. The people didn’t know yet but I knew the day he and Reyna spilled the beans to the media was nearing. At least, I thought it was.

Now he was telling me he had to marry a girl he’d never met? I couldn’t believe it. “Right” I told him, searching his eyes, hoping he’d tell me he was kidding.

But Theseus wouldn’t kid, not about something like this. His silence confirmed it and my anger quickly bubbled it’s way to the surface.

“And Reyna?”

There was the slightest shift in his face, a pained look he quickly tried to mask but it was too late; I’d already seen it.  He set his jaw, “What about her?”

“Theo, seriously?!”

“Drop it, Percy. I only told you so you wouldn’t have to find out from the media later.”

I shook my head angrily. “No! You had something with Reyna and you can’t just be forced to give it all up!” Because yeah, I was rather protective of my big brother and white hot rage burned in me at the thought that he wouldn’t even be able to choose he was to spend the rest of his life with.

“Nobody is forcing me to do anything. Her kingdom came to us for help because their economy is crippled right now. Marrying her will mean saving lives.”

Of course I was an emotional wreck while Theseus was as calm and level-headed as always. Stupid Theo with his stupid noble heart. Letting his happiness go to help others in need. The thing was, I got where he was coming from. We’d both inherited our mom’s caring side after all.

Athens had gotten it right though; marrying Prince Theseus Jackson was the perfect way to ensure their survival. My brother was basically guaranteed the Atlantean throne. Who in our kingdom wouldn’t vote for a man who was willing to sacrifice so much?

I stared at the wall with a resigned scowl and said no more.

Theo let me sit in silence for a while before finally addressing me again, “One more thing, Percy: when Annabeth arrives you will treat her just as you would your future queen.”

So Annabeth was her name then. I was about to say ‘No promises’ but at his sharp look, I scowled and said, “I'll try.”

About one month later, my ‘I’ll try’ got about as far as the introductions between me and the Princess of Athens.

I really was trying, I swear. But when someone looks at you like you are earth’s lowest scum and they don’t even know you and you already have some not-so nice feelings for them… Let’s just say it rubs you the wrong way.

I’m sure Annabeth had heard all about my crazy stunts and scandals and those were probably the reason for her clear dislike of me but still… In the heat of the moment, you don’t exactly think clearly.

So when my response to her disdain was  a glare and a comment like “Yeah Princess, trust me, the feeling is mutual”, it basically confirmed her suspicions and killed any hope for redemption between us.

What can I say? From then on it was practically war.

Percy starts falling for this bold girl who hides her insecurities behind a tough façade. Because… because Annabeth is girl who isn’t afraid to voice her opinions, isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, and who honestly just genuinely cares.

Obviously he’s oblivious to his feelings because you know, Percy.

Annabeth falls hard as she realizes that Percy is the jokester he is because he hates seeing people sad. He thinks with his heart and not his head and is completely different from everything Annabeth has ever believed and yet she is drawn to him.

She’s not oblivious to her feelings but she knows Percy likes Rachel so she tries to push her feelings away (it doesn’t work).

Through their rehearsals and normal school and just life they grow closer.

Finally the dates of the play roll around. Athena says she’ll be there first day… she’s not. She says she’ll be there the second day… she’s not.

Percy doesn’t know about Athena and he just assumes he’ll be with Rachel the next day. At this point, he knows something is going on inside him and his feelings are a mess but he prefers to just ignore, because yeah, he doesn’t want to deal with stuff.

Annabeth finds out that Athena had meetings but she says she’ll be there third day… the only day left for Rachel to perform.

Tries to go to Percy and talk to him about it but Percy feels betrayed because he thinks she’s just backing out the deal—she just used him? Somehow that hurts more than the fact he won’t get to perform with Rachel.

Then Annabeth confesses about her mom and Percy softens. He’s still hurt but he knows this hurts Annabeth too and he doesn’t want her to hurt. There will be other plays, anyway. Things aren’t entirely settled between them and Annabeth thinks he’s just agreeing out of pity—thinks he’s still mad about Rachel.

Third day rolls around and stakes are high. 30 minutes before show is set to commence Annabeth gets a text from Athena: She wasn’t going to make it.

Annabeth tells Percy she wasn’t acting and tries to walk away but Percy prods and Annabeth just explodes. Isn’t he happy her mom isn’t coming? That means he can act with Rachel! “Isn’t that what you wanted?!”

Percy just stares at her wide eyed for a few seconds before he softly says, “I wanted you to be happy.”

And Annabeth’s not used to this. Not used to people caring. Her dad immerses himself in work. Her mom does too. Nobody cares about her happiness… why should he?

She doesn’t know how to respond to that so she just runs out.

Show goes on. She watches from the side as Percy and Rachel act out the musical. Halfway through, she can’t take it and just leaves.

Celebration Party is supposed to happen at the end but Percy’s heart isn’t in it. Leo notices. So does Rachel.

She and Percy dated freshman year but ended up calling things off. Even though it hurt her, she knew things just weren’t going to work out.

Percy was hurt for while afterwards but they slowly mended things and their friendship. He still had feelings for her though which was why he’d auditioned: he’d thought he could get closer to her and prove that three years later—their senior year—they could go at it again and maybe this time be successful.

But Rachel could see that he’d fallen for another, fallen in love so deep with a girl she knew made him happy and a girl he made happy.

Basically, she gives him her blessing and Leo’s twirls his keys like c’mon bro, you got a girl to get

And ya, cheesy ending but they show up at Annabeth’s doorstep and Leo sings a few lines of “Kiss the girl” and this time, the kiss isn’t interrupted.