If I was yours (Percabeth selection)

By the time I arrived at the cafe, I was extremely late. The door opened with a jingle, and I sighed at the rush of warmth.

Percy was already there, at our favorite corner table with his back to me. Suddenly I felt fifteen years old and spending every day after school with him. As I got closer, I noticed the small details once again- the way his hair looked like it had been swept by the wind, the way his fingers drummed against the table. When I was a few steps behind him, he turned as if expecting me. 

"Annabeth! You're late." He stood and I wondered if he had grown a few inches over the summer. 

"I know, I was farther away than I remembered." The lie slipped off my tongue with ease. Percy's eyes raked over me and he looked flustered. 

"You look good," He said shyly. "Can I- can I give you a hug?" I nodded, holding my arms out. 

I tucked my head into his neck, and I could feel his heart beating. If I wasn't crazy, I swore that it was beating a little too fast. He was still wearing that same cologne, so not everything had changed. 

"Eventually, he let me go but didn't move too far away from me. I slid into the booth and he sat down next to me, letting our knees touch. His leg burned against mine, but it wasn't a bad feeling. In fact, I quite liked it. 

He grinned at me and I found myself smiling back. For a few seconds, there was a hesitant silence before we both started at once.

"How are you doing?" 

"I missed you"

I felt a blush coming over me and Percy's ears turned pink. 

"I missed you too," I said. "Tell me what's been going on at home. We weren't told anything at school." 

"Well, things have been alright. It's a little tense with the new policies, but I think we're still holding the peace together.  This summer was..." My stomach dropped again as he mulled over the words. Would we ever even talk about what happened? Part of me knew that we had to, that sidestepping would only get us so far. Another part was screaming at me to push it away and ignore it. "It was...odd" I relaxed, realizing that he wasn't going to start this now. Good.

"Did you already order?" Percy brightened, nodding. 

"I got our usual order. Oh, and lemon tea for you. You still like that, yeah?" 

"Of course. I've been drinking it forever, it's not like my tastes would change now." Percy shrugged. 

"Things happen", And there it was again, hovering between brought up and silently acknowledged. 

"I saw the Selection posters" I blurted out. What was wrong with me today? Percy looked so uncomfortable and I regretted my words instantly. 

"Wasn't my idea. Hera led the council decision and everyone else thought it might bring good publicity." Even though I probably shouldn't have, I pushed my luck more.

"Why didn't you tell me?" 

"It was all so sudden and... to be honest, I was worried that you wouldn't come back at all. " I nodded, staring at the wall rather than at him. What could I possibly say to that? 

"I'm glad you're here," He said after a few moments pause, his voice gentle. I smiled and met his eyes. 

"I'm glad I'm here too." Our food finally came and we ate in relative silence, occasionally talking about the easier things- old memories and my school lessons. I hesitated about telling him about joining the Selection and when I finally opened my mouth-

"Do you want to grab dessert?" I nodded. Maybe not telling him was for the best.

"I'd love to." It had gotten colder outside, and I shivered slightly. Back at the academy, it was usually warmer, and I really should have brought a jacket.

Only a few blocks down was our favorite ice cream shop, owned by an old friend from Camp.

"Hey, Percy! Long time no see." Chris didn't bother using titles around Percy, having known both us since we were twelve. He was a 6, but hardly seemed to care. Percy was a one, obviously, and I was a two because of my parents' work with the government. Unlike most higher-ups, neither of us cared about our numbers.

"What can I get you? The usual?" Percy nodded. "And a strawberry milkshake for Annabeth. To go."

We sat down in our booth, an awkward silence filling the air. I played with my mother's ring, resting on my right hand. I had refused to give it to Helen when my dad married her. I don't think she ever forgave me for that.

"You know, someone might get confused by you wearing an engagement ring." I rolled my eyes.

"Piss off." I shoved Percy's shoulder, averting my eyes from the ring. Enough memories of the past. Percy blathered on about something that Grover had done during Camp this year. Camp.

"I guess we won't be able to go to Camp this year," I said, interrupting Percy.

He looked confused for a moment. "The Selection isn't going to last that long. Besides, I'll finally be able to tell Grover that I have a girlfriend." I laughed.

"We both know he'll never believe you. Come on, you can hardly even talk to a girl." Percy pouted at me. 

"Watch me." 

"Mhm. You're welcome to try." We got our drinks and headed outside. The sun was starting to set and we sat on a bench, watching the sky. It was good to be home. I hated that I might be leaving again so soon. 

"Are you cold?" His voice startled me and I looked up at Percy, who was looking pointedly at the goosebumps breaking out over my arms. 

"I forgot to bring a jacket. I forgot how chilly it gets." Wordlessly, Percy took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, lifting my ponytail up. We made eye contact and he burst out laughing. 

Hoping I wasn't blushing, I rolled my eyes at him. 

"Sorry it's just- it's way too big." Eventually, we made the way back to my house and Percy leaned against the light post. I fiddled with the zipper, chewing on my lip.

"It was good to see you," Percy said eventually. 

"It's good to be home. Text me later?" He nodded and started down the street. It was only when I unlocked the door that I realized I was still wearing his jacket. 

"Percy!" I jogged down the street as he turned to face me, a little surprised. "Your jacket," I said, shrugging my arms out of it. 

"Oh, thanks." He looked a little- disappointed? No, that didn't make sense. I was probably imagining things.

By the time I was back inside my house, the lights were all off and everyone was asleep. Before I fell asleep, my phone buzzed with a new text:

thanks for coming back