The Pine Tree [Percy]

[Annabeth Jackson]

Annabeth felt like she was in a dream.

The sun was shining (as always) and the grass glistened as she drifted up Half-Blood Hill. As always, Thalia's Pine Tree stood strong and proud in the centre. It was not hard work getting up the Hill, as she had climbed it so many times before. The grass flattened beneath her feet and she smiled as she finally reached the top.

Annabeth strolled over to the Pine Tree, revelling in the flat land. She stroked the branches and resolutely sat down at the bottom. For a while, she just looked out at the view. There were the Strawberries, being grown steadily by mixtures of children of Demeter and Satyrs. If she squinted she could see the arena, where somebody was disarming somebody else, the Stables, where there was horse poop flying out of the roof, and the picnic tables, which were completely deserted.

She closed her eyes and leant back in bliss.

[Percy Jackson]

Percy wasn't doing anything particular. The colour of his coffee was the only thing he was concerned by, and thankfully no one had frozen or dried it. He felt an element of self-improvement in his fitness recently which he attested to being so active with the camp. No hell had broken loose and there was no hailing of fire so it was a good day. Sometimes he saw warning shots in the air but he was normally able to keep the peace. He managed to break free from the crowd when he found his way to Half-Blood Hill, noticing the silouhette of his wife resting there.

As opposed to the virginity matching that of Hestia, they had two beautiful children that were to turn sixteen soon. Connor was no help in keeping control of all the antics going on to celebrate this prior to their party. Any child of Hermes was trouble, adopting his prankster nature. The violence reached new heights at times, and Percy found it difficult to understand how Annabeth could still look as she did when he first saw her, only in a full grown woman's body. He often tried for confessions with her, but it was like resisting arrest. He wished he knew how she was feeling these days. Percy Jackson, slew the minotaur, but couldn't talk to his wife.

"Hi"

[Annabeth Jackson]

It was so peaceful, just lying under the Pine Tree, not having to do anything except just live. It was peace and tranquility that Annabeth didn't see anything of these days. Her meditation was interrupted by the shadow of her husband coming up the Hill. Although she was slightly irritated at teh interruption of her alone time, she was mostly glad to see Percy. She hadn't talked properly to him for a long while and she was going to cherish the opportunity. She shifted her body to make room for him under the tree.

She smiled and closed her eyes, feeling rather than seeing Percy sit down next to her. She reached out a hand and found his, gently rubbing his palm with her thumb. It was moments like this that she treasured, kept stored away in a little box for dark times. Just time to be herself with her husband. She moved closer to him until she could duck under his arm and lay her head down on his lap.

"Hi," She smiled lazily up at him.

[Percy Jackson]

Percy couldn't help but smile at how relaxed his wife looked under the tree. With everyone being as loud as sonic arrows recently it was nice that his wife had found a spot in which to escape. Percy until then had no such luck. Annabeth had helped him once again. She had always helped him, always wanted to. He remembered her suggestions along their journies, like how she suggested Medea's sunscreen to fight the Colchis bulls in that small embedded way that she had to let her word be said. Pothos smiled at his yearning for her as he remembered with fondness how she told him all demigods suffered from dyslexia. It was ironic how she had taught him so much and yet there had also been losses. He'd never forget their lead counsellor while they were campers, Silena. Zoe Nightshade too made the sacrifice. Percy liked to think that he honoured them by declining the offer to become a God, which he hadn't chosen to do out of anything less than his love for Annabeth.

Now wasn't a time to talk about Olympian wars or sacrifices, now was a time to curl up under a tree with his beautiful wife. There will always be hundreds of Gods and demigods, but only one Annabeth. It had always been more than sensual suggestive infatuation, she made him a better person and was a dream come true. He appreciated how precious she was by delicately caressing her cheek as she spoke to him. "Hi" he said back, for no words could describe this moment.

[Annabeth Jackson]

She closed her eyes sleepily and basked in the heat of the sun of her face. She breathed in deeply and smelled a mixture of scents. The biggest and best scent was Percy's smell. He smelled of the sea, salty, but in a nice way. She loved his Percy-smell. She inhaled deeply again, this time searching for other scents. The pine sap behind her, the sweet smell of honey.
"There must be a hive in the tree," She smiled up warmly at Percy.
Then there was the scent of grass, which was faint, and strawberries, which must have been carried up on the wind from the strawberry fields.
"Have you remembered to buy birthday presents?" She asked softly. She could imagine her husband's embarrassment and chagrin if he showed up on the day with no gifts.