Archive of Our Own ^beta

Salt air, and the rust on your door

"Hey, Annabeth!" Percy exclaimed, the ancient hinges on his door creaking. "Come in, it's literally freezing outside!"

Annabeth swallowed, feeling unnaturally nervous. Percy noticed her discomfort and gently took her arm, leading her into the homy interior. "Hey, Mom! This is the girl I was talking to you about, Annabeth!"

I never needed anything more
Whispers of "Are you sure?"

"Are you sure she'll like me, Percy?"

"Of course Annabeth. Who wouldn't?" He stopped and thought about it for a while. "I mean, you were kinda mean when I first met you, but-"

Annabeth pushed him playfully as an indescribably beautiful woman walked in, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, Percy! She's beautiful!"

She smiled at Annabeth kindly.

"Never have I ever before"

And that was when Annabeth's worries became ephemeral.

But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time 'Cause it was never mine

Annabeth sat in her cabin, reminiscing about the sweet moments she had shared with the son of Poseidon before she would see him again. He was in Goode High School. They had now known each other for four years, and Annabeth's affections had grown. It was bittersweet, having this wonderful friendship with him despite their parents' rivalry, yet the voice in the back of her head which crooned to her about how he would eventually find someone better.

They had met in June, and usually left each other in August.

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine

She, Percy, Thalia, and Grover met up for a toast, for the fall of Kronos and new beginnings. Ever the skeptic, she had thought it was extremely early to be celebrating. The other three obviously ignored her and giggled over some inside joke she couldn't understand. August was sipping away at her time, split between rallying troops and working out battle strategies. She smiled inwardly at the memory and got ready to see Percy at Goode, to surprise him.

'Cause you were never mine

Her heart dropped, a bitter feeling of bile rising at her throat, the voice in her head screaming at her, as the girl with hair as red as the strawberries grown and cherished at camp followed behind a bewildered Percy, looking confused.

Your back beneath the sun
Wishin' I could write my name on it

She left Percy at Camp Half-Blood in search of Clarisse. If she noticed her anger, she decided not to comment on it. The sun beat down on them, like Apollo's personal warning of what was to come. The sun was a brutal reminder of the girl with hair as red as a crime scene.

Will you call when you're back at school?
I remember thinkin' I had you

"How you doin', Seaweed Brain?" asked Annabeth, while Percy got ready for his first day at Goode.

"Kinda hoping I don't blow anything up." He joked, but she could see the dubiousness in his eyes.

"You'll do great." she promised. "Don't be reckless. Think before you speak. Call me when you can, but focus on your schoolwork."

He laughed. " Its nice how you believe I'll survive the first day. I will for sure call you for homework answers, Wise Girl."

"Ok, and-" Annabeth got cut off by Clarisse angrily calling her name. "Shit, Clarisse is calling. I gotta go!"

"Call me!" he said before cutting off the connection.

But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine

She remembered when Rachel had joined their quest for Quintus, with her red hair illuminating everything like a gigantic spotlight for the stars. Her braids felt heavier than before, something she had neglected due to the time slipping from her fingers.

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine

Images of Luke, bent over, clutching his leg, blood seeping like the Cabernet wine from the grapes grown by the last son of Dionysus. Passing by him, her red eyes met his, and she knew they would never experience this love again.

Back when we were still changin' for the better
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough

Percy headed into at Mt. St. Helens, his mineral sea-green eyes washing away the doubt Annabeth had that he was a hero. When those eyes locked onto her, she wanted them so, so bad. So she pulled up her will, her sweat and tears, the unconditional love she had for him, and kissed him before her world fell apart. Even if he didn't feel the same, her heart would beckon to him and his shocked look wouldn't leave her, ever.

To live for the hope of it all
Cancel plans just in case you'd call
And say, "Meet me behind the mall"

"Princess!" shouted Clarisse. "Come on, its time for-"

"Can't Clarisse!" she replied, pulling on her Converse urgently.

"Look who's getting all dolled up." said Clarisse, rolling her eyes. "Date with that water punk?"

"No." she scoffed. She didn't know where the daughter of Ares was getting at; she was just in her white Camp Half-Blood hoodie and loose jeans, with her hair in a messy braided bun. "And we're not dating."

"Not yet." Clarisse muttered.

Annabeth took off to Zeus' Fist, calling behind her back. "Tell Grover I'm not coming!"

"Why does she get to miss arts and crafts?" groaned Clarisse.

Annabeth skidded to a stop in front of Percy, pulling on a neutral expression with some happiness in it.

"Uh, hey." stammered Percy.

"Hey yourself, Jackson." she replied. "You ready for this?"

"Fuck yeah! Race you to the arena!" he yelled, and started running. She laughed with delight, hot on his heels.

So much for summer love and saying "us"
'Cause you weren't mine to lose
You weren't mine to lose, no

When Percy came back from his false death, Silena said to Annabeth that he looked sad, as if he had visited an old friend. Annabeth had a feeling it was Rachel Dare, who looked radiant in the sunlight when they had gotten out of the labyrinth. And with the way she had looked at him, it was like a two-way mirror. As the two became closer, the summers and the floating, ethereal feeling she would get with being near the son of Poseidon didn't change. Even when she saw some girls and guys looking at him longingly, she tried to be positive, to stop herself from going down a spiral.

He's not yours, she reminded herself. He never will be.

But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine
'Cause you were never mine, never mine

"Make yourself at home dear." Sally Jackson smiled at Annabeth. "Percy's out buying some things."

"Really, Ms. Jackson, I just needed a refresher-" she started, holding a heavenly glass of hot chocolate as she dreamt about her holding up the sky. What Luke had done was still freshly imprinted into her mind, but she had tried to push it back by doing more work. For her, January was filled with detached miseries.

"No way." she stated. "You will stay here. Hopefully Percy can run back and get some Advil, for you and me both."

Annabeth laughed. "For him too."

"Ah, my son and his lovely friends." sighed Sally. "He got lucky."

Annabeth blushed, but composed herself. "So did I."

"Here Annabeth, would you like-oh!" she suddenly stood. "Have I told you about Paul?"

"Paul?" Annabeth questioned. "I think Percy's mentioned him a few times."

"We're very close." smiled Sally. "Percy likes him too, but is a little wary due to," her eyes darkened. "past experiences."

Annabeth decided not to prod. "Oh?"

"Yes, we're thinking of, well-" Sally's smile turned hopeful.

"I'm so happy for you Sally!" cried Annabeth, clasping her hands. "You deserve it."

"Thank you, honey." Sally turned somber. "But I don't know how my son will take it."

"He loves you Sally." promised Annabeth. "Just talk to him. Percy's good at understanding people like that." She snapped her fingers.

"If you say so." she said.

Annabeth beamed. Even if she couldn't have him, at least Sally had found peace.

But do you remember?

When Rachel hit Kronos in the eye with the plastic hairbrush, Annabeth thought that Percy was a little justified in liking her.

Remember when I pulled up and said, "Get in the car"
And then canceled my plans just in case you'd call?

"Can I learn how to skateboard?" she abruptly asked him one day.

"Sure, why not." he turned his face towards her, the sun enlightening his features. "Reason?"

"Just wanted to learn." she shrugged. "I know you don't have time on your hands but-"

"You want to learn, right?" he prodded.

"Yes, Seaweed Brain, that's what I just said-"

Back when I was livin' for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all
"Meet me behind the mall"

"Meet me outside camp at 11. Bring some wooden planks." he declared.

Annabeth straightened up. "Bet. You better-"

"Oooooh." said Grover from behind the tree that the two were under. "You better hope that Chiron doesn't here about this, if-"

"Grover!" shouted Annabeth.

"Its not like that." Percy glared at him. "Go eat some steel."

Grover pouted. "Wow, rude."

The satyr walked away and muttered curses under his breath. Percy's expression turned worried.

"What if-'

"He won't, Percy." she laughed softly. "We'll be fine. But we should go check on him."

"I know, Wise Girl."

Remember when I pulled up and said, "Get in the car"
And then canceled my plans just in case you'd call?
Back when I was livin' for the hope of it all (for the hope of it all)

Annabeth dreamed of a idyllic goddess with raw sienna hair twisted into a plait, eyes like pools of honey, and a white Grecian dress swirling around her in a dreamlike ocean. Her eyes took on a wistful look as she sketched someone familar.

For the hope of it all

Annabeth was having so many dreams it either hurt or relieved her of pain when she woke up.

For the hope of it all

I want you. I want you so much but I can't seem to catch you.

(For the hope of it all)

Annabeth Chase stood at the front of camp, ready for the inevitably cruel war.

(For the hope of it all)