#please accept this

"Annabeth's enga- Percy, you had one job!"

From outside the car, Percy just seems to be a little distressed- nervous, even. He doesn't look like he's going to propose in less than an hour (hopefully, if everything goes right, which it's definitely not) or that he lost the engagement ring that belongs on the hand of the love of his life- Annabeth's hand.

And it's been a long day. Annabeth seems to think this is a little birthday celebration for him, thinks that they'll spend the rest of the late afternoon watching the sunset and enjoying the cool evening together eating cupcakes. Its far from a regular birthday celebration; because it's (technically) their anniversary too.

"I KNOW!" Percy screams back, close to tears, "I know, I was doing my best to be the most careful I possibly could, but it's not here anymore- it should be in my pocket!"

"Where was the last place you put it?"

"...Where It put it?" He says like he's walking on eggshells, "Look, i've been careful with it all night, 'Kay? It just... dissapeared!"

"I don't think engagement rings can do that," Grover sighs.

"Have you looked all over the car?"

"Mhm!"

"On the floors, in the seats? Under the seats?"

"Yeah!"

"On the dashboard?"

"Yes, I-" Percy reaches forward, deep, running his hands against the large expanse of the—leather dashboard expecting nothing but air until his fingers brush against what feels like a velvet box.

The silence tells all to Grover, a hand coming up to slap himself in the face. "Oh my god."

"I'm an idiot," He falls back into his seat, instantly holding the tiny box against his chest, "Such an idiot."

"No, you're not, just way too nervous." Grover heaves a huge sigh of relief from his side of the call, "Just try to propose with making a fool out of yourself, okay?"

"Thanks, G-man. What would I do with you, huh?"

"Uh-huh. Good luck."

"Thanks. I'll need it."

Less than four seconds later, Percy is out of the car (Engagement ring in tow for once) and on his way sprinting to the canoe lake of camp half blood.

"Wisegirl!" Percy calls out to her figure, legs dangling off the dock. Annabeth's switched out her signature chb shirt for a nice, floral sundress that compliments her golden curls and bright smile. He's so nervous.

Can he really do this?

"Percy!" She beams, "Did you find your extra underwear?"

He cringes at his rushed excuse. "U-uh, totally!" An awkward cough, "Yeah."

"Great." She pats the space next to her. "Sit. The views beautiful."

Sitting down with a little 'oof', Percy smiles. "Yeah," He agrees, but he's not really looking at the lake.

The canoe lake, usually filled with campers, is empty— save for a few ducks enjoying the cool waters. The setting sun strikes the sky with soft, warm colours, golden hour only making Annabeth more beautiful.

"Are you enjoying your birthday?"

"O-of course. Always, when i'm with you."

She playfully nudges him. "So cheesy." Annabeth giggles.

Percy wants to take this slow— wants to be sweet, soft, sincere. He wants to be a gentleman and treat her because she deserves it— god, Annabeth deserves it— but his palms are sweating and his mind is racing and his mouth is opening—

"I love you."

Annabeth looks at him weirdly, chuckling. "And I love you too."

"You know that I love you more than ever?"

"More than ever." She affirms.

"I-I want you to know that, because I always will. And I want this moment to be perfect, because I love you so much, but today has been a very slow, very bad day—" He's reaching into his pocket, that troublesome velvet box in hand, "But as long as you're here, I know all the other days won't be that way."

Annabeth's eyes are with tears shining now, and Percy knows his eyes are too.

"I want to grow old with you. I want to love you as long as I possibly can, and I can't imagine a world without you here, Wisegirl. Annabeth Chase, will you spend every day together, with me, and marry me?"

"G-god- of course I will, yes!" Annabeth pulls him close, hugging him, tears streaming down her face, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Percy's heart is beating a mile per minute as he slides the ring on her finger, wisegirl— his wisegirl— blabbering how much she loves him and how she can't wait to wake up to him every day.

"D-don't cry, please, don't cry," Percy says, but he's crying just as much. "I love you. More than you'll ever know."

It takes a while to calm down the both of them, because they're both busy peppering kisses on the others face. It's astounding on how genuinely happy they are— years of suffering, years of wondering if every day was their last has led up to this moment.