#smartmagic

In fact, his affection and respect for her runs deeper given how much Luke had talked about having her join their ranks. She's quick witted, tactful, righteous, passionate, courageous, and loyal to her family and friends. She is everything they stand for, the prime motivator for all that Luke had done up to this point, and that is what makes it all the more heartbreaking when Ethan stabs her at Williamsburg bridge.

It was never supposed to end this way.

Alabaster's heart skips a beat as a roar that isn't his own echoes across the city.

"GET BACK. NO ONE TOUCHES HER."

A part of Alabaster, in that moment, wants to jinx Percy and capture Annabeth away. They had sons and daughters of Asclepius on their side that could heal her. From the war standpoint, taking her could even provide an ultimatum for the other side to surrender; after all, no matter how infuriating it was to see it himself, Percy loved her. But then again, who doesn't? She was the kind of girl people fought wars for, even though she could damn well do the fighting on her own. But that doesn't matter. What matters to their armies is this: if they could bring an Olympian down to her knees with Annabeth Chase, then a stygian bathed demigod should hardly be an issue.

That's how Luke would think, at least.

But Luke's not here any more.

Alabaster looks to Kronos for instructions, and fights to appear expressionless. He's not supposed to care so much. They had their plans. And if a daughter of Athena wishes to fight on the losing side of the war, that's her choice to make. Let her fight for the mother who damned her to this life. But even then, he searches for the son of Hermes behind those golden eyes, and wonders if he still cares for her.

In the end, they reach a stalemate. Demigods die on both sides of the bridge, Percy speeds off with the son of Apollo, and Alabaster selfishly prays to his mother to spare Annabeth from the crossroads of death so that he could see her alive one more time.

— @stygianoaths (it's more annabeth x alabaster with a sprinkle of percy but i hope it suffices ;v;)

@stygianoaths HOLY SHIT. THIS IS. AMAZINGGGGGGG AHHHHH I LOVE THE IDEA OF AL HAVING A THING FOR ANNABETH!??!?!/ And the way you had it tie into his loyalty to Luke and the TA's cause but also his own sentiments for CHB—chef's kiss. PERFECT. Annabeth and Al have quickly become one of my favorite duos to explore; I think they actually do share a lot in common, but what makes them interesting I guess is the difference of how they deal with the circumstances they've been handed.

For Pjorarepairweek2023

Day 7: family/hurt/comfort

Annabeth/Alabaster (aka smartmagic lol)

@them-awesome-rarepairs

Rarepair Week 2023 Day 3 ; parallels / fall

Annabeth Chase/Alabaster Torrington