The Puppy

Percy POV

"Wise Girl, I don't want to talk right now. Look, if you think that you'll be happy with someone else, I won't stop you," I sighed.

I stared at myself in the mirror. I didn't feel good at all.

Annabeth laughed as she closed the bathroom door behind her. She locked the door before approaching me near the sink. "Maybe, you want to splash water on your face to calm down," she replied calmly.

"CALM DOWN? How can I calm down? You were just flirting with someone else, and you even agreed to go on a date," I snapped in frustration.

Annabeth stood right in front of me. Her hand reached up and brushed my cheek. I was still fuming after screaming at the guy on the phone.

"Do you want to know who it was?" Annabeth whispered.

"Not really," I said while pulling away. "I know that I'm taking time to recover, but I thought that you'd wait for me."

Annabeth sighed but kept smiling. Her hand grabbed mine and pulled me closer to her. She was stronger than she looked. She pulled me against her so that my body was pressing hers against the bathroom door. The close proximity threw me off-guard.

My anger started to melt as I felt her warmth flow through me.

"Um-"

"The guy on the phone was a friend," Annabeth explained. "I told Connor to call me so that I can see your reaction to someone flirting with me."

I froze as my hands rested against her waist. I trapped her between my arms and pressed even closer to her. Her own arms wrapped around my neck.

"You set me up?" I asked in surprise.

"I did," Annabeth whispered. "And, I don't regret it at all."

She smiled lightly before kissing my lips. I inhaled through my nose while savoring her kiss. My lips stayed against hers for a long time. Our lips moved in sync as my body rocked against her. My hips pressed into and off her in a rhythm.

Then, I pulled away with a smile on my face.

I fell for her setup, but I didn't care. I want to be with Wise Girl because she will help me heal. I need her to recover. I need our relationship to be happy.

My lips were still tingling from the sensations of her lips. Gods, kissing her felt so natural and so right. I've never felt that way with any of my other girlfriends.

"I'm still mad at you. That's all you're getting."

"Ugh, you're so petty. Besides, that affects you more than it affects me, Seaweed Brain."

Annabeth drew a sensual breath before wrapping her arms around my torso. I tightly hugged her against me. My cheek rested against her pretty, blonde head.

"You're evil," I commented. "A true evil genius."

I smiled while squeezing her again. I don't really hug my girlfriends. Sex doesn't require hugging, yet being comfortably close to Annabeth felt amazing.

I wasn't ashamed to admit that I like cuddling with her.

Suddenly, Annabeth leaned back to study my face. "I know that you're healing, Percy. I only did this to reveal how you feel. You called me your girlfriend," she grinned while explaining herself.

"You're more than that, Wise Girl. At this point, you've become a part of me, which I need to keep going," I paused as I made a decision. I watched her face digest my words, and her smile only expanded my feelings for her.

"I am getting better, and I feel like there's never a right time. There's only a right person, and I KNOW that you are the right person for me."

"Wise Girl, will you accept my love?" I asked happily.

Annabeth smiled while brushing her lips to mine. "I will accept your love. I'll accept you no matter what, Seaweed Brain."

"I love you," I whispered.

I meant those three words. They are special and significant. She was the only person (besides my mother) that I've expressed those words to.

"Thank you," Annabeth replied before pausing.

"It's my turn to make sure that I'm ready before I say those words back to you. I want to express them with the same level of honesty and earnestness as you."

I understood what she was saying. Annabeth wanted to be in a relationship with me, but she wasn't sure if she was at the love stage yet. She wasn't ready to say, I love you.

And, I was okay with that.

As long as I can be with her, I can wait to hear those words. After all, I want her love to be as special for me as mine is for me.

"So, girlfriend and boyfriend?" I asked, smiling. I took her hand. Her warm hand sunk into mine. The missing piece of the puzzle; I love it. I kissed her hand before she kissed my cheek.

"YES, but I'm planning our first official date," Annabeth commanded.

"What? No fair," I protested.

Annabeth simply laughed. "You've already taken me out on three unofficial dates, all of which I have loved. It's my turn now to treat you."

With that, Annabeth pulled me out of the bathroom, hand-in-hand. My heart wasn't beating fast. It was steady and calm. If anything, I felt at home.

I felt comfortable for the first time in so long.

***

"So, you confessed your love for Annabeth in a public bathroom," Grover gaped at me. I groaned while grabbing another soda from the bag.

"I didn't mean for it to be so unromantic."

"At least, it'll be memorable," he replied. "She'll always tell everyone who asks that the first time you told her that you loved her was while you were on the toilet."

Grover burst out laughing while Juniper joined in. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile. As weird as our interaction was, it would always be one of my best moments and memories.

Juniper and Grover continued to tease, much to my delight. Note the sarcasm.

We were driving to the park today because the weather was nice outside. The sun was shining, and it was a perfect day to go walking. My plan was to lose Grover and Juniper after a while so that I wouldn't be third-wheeling.

It wouldn't be my first time escaping one of their dates. I just don't understand why they can't go to these dates alone.

Like, come on. Grow up, Grover.

"All right, Percy. Your destination has arrived so get out," Grover ordered. Juniper chuckled while slapping her boyfriend's arm.

"You guys aren't coming?" I asked in confusion as I looked around.

We were at the park, but it was not our usual parking lot. They were simply dropping me off near one of the trails that led in a nature field.

"No. We're not gonna third-wheel your date. Go on," Juniper expressed. Her green eyes sparkled as she pointed outside.

I followed her directions to see Annabeth walking towards the car. What is going on? I was very confused now. Annabeth was wearing jeans and a red sweater. Her hair was in a ponytail; she was dressed as her natural self.

Gods, Wise Girl was beautiful, intelligent, and powerful.

Annabeth opened the backdoor with a smile. I was still gazing at her in wonder.

"Percy, I know that I planned this date. However, I didn't expect to open the door for you too. Regardless, get out here, Princess," she smirked.

I laughed as I excitedly got out of the car. I kissed her passionately while spinning her in the air. It was a total surprise, and I wasn't expecting our first official date to happen today. It was so casual and subtle yet perfect as well.

"Have fun, lovebirds," Juniper and Grover cheered. Annabeth and I watched them drive off before walking along the trail.

Our hands were playing with each other's as we talked about everything. The conversations ranged from jokes, stupid comments, and innuendos to personal memories and experiences.

It was the best time. After about an hour, Annabeth redirected me into a trail that led towards the main field of the nature park.

"There'll be more people if we go this way," I commented. "I thought that we would be hanging out in private."

"For what purposes?" Annabeth asked with a raised eyebrow.

I chuckled while pulling her closer to me. My body pinned her against a tree while my mouth crashed onto hers. I was craving her. It's been so long since I've been with a girl, especially a girl that I truly cared about.

"That's gonna have to wait," she whispered between kisses.

"I know," I answered before kissing her again. I didn't necessarily want to wait, but I also knew that it was for the best.

I wasn't sure if she was ready. Moreover, I knew that I still wasn't prepared. Physically, I'm fine, but I'm still working on myself. I don't know. I guess that I wanted to be at my best before completely giving myself to her.

I'm not sure if that makes sense. That's for you all to decide.

The small trail connected into a larger one that was more crowded. Other families and kids were walking around. Some couples were at the park too. We dodged them easily, and Annabeth led me towards a commotion near the middle of the grassy field.

A bunch of puppies were running around. Several people were petting and playing with puppies of all breeds and colors.

"Surprise. You like puppies, right?" Annabeth asked.

"Are you kidding? They're so cute."

I ran towards the group of puppies. One, in particular, stopped playing with his fellow puppies and ran towards me. The fluffy black dog jumped into my arms.

"OH MY GOD," I exclaimed while falling on the grass. The little puppy was strong and feisty. I played with it while laughing.

This made me feel like I was a kid again. I held the puppy in my arms while walking towards Annabeth who was just watching me.

"You're so cute and happy," she whispered while petting the dog. "I like seeing you this way more than the other ways that I've seen you."

"Thank you for bringing me here. It's so easy and pure."

Annabeth and I laughed and played with the back puppy. It didn't leave our side the entire time. One of the supervisors told us that the puppy is named Mrs. O'Leary.

The dogs were a part of a larger pound system. This was a method for the pound to look for potential adoptive families that want pets. If I had my own place, I would've taken Mrs. O'Leary in a heartbeat.

"She's for you, Percy," Annabeth said suddenly.

The dog and I both froze on the floor. I was trying to wrestle a plastic bone out of her mouth. It was like we both were shocked by Annabeth's words.

"What are you talking about? I'm living with Jason and Thalia. I can't possibly take the dog," I answered.

"That's true, but I can take the dog for you."

I stood up and faced Wise Girl. Her blonde hair glowed in the sun, and her beautiful features illuminated with a smile. I tucked a loose strand of her behind her ear. I kissed her cheek softly, but Mrs. O'Leary was nabbing at our legs, interrupting us.

"I can't ask you to do that," I replied.

"No, you're not asking. it's what I'm doing. My family is happy with getting a pet, and Mrs. O'Leary clearly chose you as her owner," Annabeth chuckled while I picked her up again.

"Besides, my boyfriend is incredibly hot while holding a small puppy. I want to see this visual more often."

"Thank you," I replied. "Also, you know what's hotter? Your boyfriend holding a cute puppy without a shirt on."

Annabeth laughed brightly. She lit up the whole park and drew the smiling attention of several people around us. I continued smiling and gazing at her.

"I'd love to see that sometime," she whispered.

"And, I'd love to show you sometime. Soon," I added.

We continued to laugh and talk and play for the rest of the evening. It was one of the easiest yet best dates ever.