I can hear the beating of Percy's heart, feel the rise and fall as he breathes. Everything about this moment is comforting. My face is pressed against his bare chest, his hand resting softly on the small of my back. I know I should feel bad, but I don't. Not while wrapped in Percy's arms as he sleeps. Not while the heat of the kisses we shared still burns on my lips. Percy, the boy I just met two days ago, came to my apartment just because he sensed something was wrong. He knew exactly what I needed, what I wanted, without having to ask me. And Luke couldn't even show up to our anniversary dinner.

A tear rolls down my cheek and splashes onto Percy. His breathing pattern changes slightly and he puts a hand to my hair, playing with stray curls around my face. I look up at him. His eyes seem to be miles deep, swirling with greens and blues. I push myself up and press my lips to his, more tears falling onto his face as my eyes squeeze shut.

"Hey," Percy says quietly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "You're gonna be okay. It's all gonna be okay." He kisses my forehead, wiping the tears from my lashes.

"How do you know?" I sound childish, but I don't care. I'm scared. I have no idea what to do. All I know is that I want to stay like this, right here with Percy's arms around me, for the rest of my life.

"Annabeth," Percy says into my hair as he pulls my face into him. "I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you, okay?" I nod, believing that Percy could really make everything alright, protect me from Luke, and allow myself to drift off to sleep.

…

When my eyes open again, the clock reads 2:37. I hadn't even realized how much of the day had gone by while I was sleeping. I must've missed lunch, and I know I didn't have breakfast. I'm about to ask Percy if he was hungry when someone's stomach growled.

"Sorry," Percy mumbles, his face still in my hair. I sit up and rub my face. I reach over and grab a t-shirt, one of Percy's I think, and pull it over my head.

"You could've gotten up, you know," I say to Percy who is stepping into a pair of sweats.

"And wake you up?" Percy shakes his head. "Absolutely not. You needed every second of that." A mischievous look crosses his face (God, why does he do that to me) and he adds, "Well, maybe not every second."

Percy's face turns a bright shade of pink as I make my way over to him. I kiss his nose. "Every single second." I ruffle his hair and walk towards the kitchen.

The smell of cold coffee reminds me of the mess before I even see it. I stop in the doorway and stare at the mess of glass and coffee and bloodstains and disheveled furniture. Percy comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me before dropping his chin on my head.

"I say we get out of here. Brunch on me?" I turn to see the face of a purely compassionate human being. I love every single part of him.

"Isn't it a little late for brunch?" I tease, messing with his already ratty hair. "I think it qualifies as a late lunch."

"Linner?" Percy suggests.

"Linner." I can't help but smile as he leans in for a kiss.

I melt into it, my hands finding his hair, then mapping out every inch of his back. He plays with the hem of my shirt, fingertips brushing up against my side. A soft groan escapes Percy's lips (or maybe that was me) and I can feel the heat between us rising. Percy pulls back a bit, studying my face, following my jawline with his fingertips.

"We'll never make it to linner if we do this again," Percy laughs and his grumbling stomach ruins the mood yet again.

…

We eat our food, french toast for me and blue pancakes for Percy. No not blueberry. Blue. Seriously? I look up from my cocoa and notice Percy's face. He's staring at me, brows knitted together in confusion. I reach across the table and give his hand a squeeze. He gives me a sad smile in return.

"What's wrong?" I ask, thumbing over the back of his hand.

"I'm just thinking," he says, sighing.

"About what?"

"This."

"What about this?"

"Annabeth," Percy takes my hand in both of his. "I loved every moment I've spent with you. But you're with Luke. And I'm not going to do this to you. I can't."

I'm shocked by his thoughts, but he's right. I hadn't really thought at all this morning. I let my impulses take over. "I'm sorry," I start. "I shouldn't have-"

"Don't," Percy cuts me off. "Don't apologize." I nod, because I understand. Being with Percy was, and still is, magical. I don't regret a single thing. Now, though, I'm lost. I don't know what to do. "I don't want to make you choose," Percy says. "But we need to figure this out. I just don't want to make this any more difficult for you."

But I know what I want. I want Percy. I want to spend time with him. I want him to hold me, to tell me everything is going to be okay. The only thing stopping me is Luke. I'm afraid of what he'll do to me. Or worse, what he'll do to Percy.

Alrighty. Chapter six. Hope y'all enojyed it... ;)

Sorry this was so short...I promise the next chapter will be longer.

Thank you for even reading this far. It's honestly so great to know that people actually like, well, put up with my stories. So thank you. Again. Remember: your comments are always appreciated.

xoxo

B