Important Notice: Moments Like This was originally supposed to be a collection of 100-word PJO drabbles that would help me practice writing, learn how to write, and allow me to try my hand at fanfiction. That being said, I am very much amused and incredibly embarrassed by the quality of my writing, and a little appalled at some of the lines I used to try to be funny. But I don't think deleting all of it would be proactive and I would feel like I'd be hiding my progress and hard work from myself. This first (edited) chapter is therefore an archive of the first 21 drabbles that make me cringe now but were instrumental in helping me write the way I do today (perhaps not astounding but at least better). These are going to stay up to remind me of how far I've come and how far I've yet to go, and also because there are some dear, dear readers who did (and hopefully still do) like these drabbles and I don't want take that from them for the sake of my embarrassment and pride.

Feel free to skip this chapter. From chapter 5 (Killed the Cat), drabbles are no longer limited to 100 words.

Disclaimer: As per usual, all rights to PJO/HoO characters go to The One and Only Rick Riordan.

Warnings: idk I think there're a few cusses here and there, maybe some implied sexy-timez but other than that, this is As Pure As It Gets™ so you probably don't need to worry.

(1)

Title: Dead Serious
Pairing: Percy/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: End of TLO

Were they serious?

Judging by the look of all their faces, some of them looked seriously bored, but Zeus looked pretty serious. Percy glanced at Poseidon and even after searching into his father's eyes he couldn't gain any inspiration. Percy looked at Thalia. She knew what it was like to be immortal. She could help.

Or not.

Percy turned to Annabeth. She looked up; exhaustion, dejection, and something special he couldn't name stared at him through stunning gray eyes.

Percy's heart fluttered. He knew what to say. He raised his head towards the gods.

"No." And he was dead serious.

fin

(2)

Title: Important
Pairing: Grover/Juniper
Word Count: 100
Setting: Winter, After Series

Being a college student separated Grover from the other satyrs but that was alright. Studying ecology to help him spread the news of Pan, was almost perfect for Grover.

Only the gods knew how important nature was to him.

Of course, only one special tree was a priority.

Which was why Grover was speeding his way to Camp on a snowy Saturday. Whether nymph or tree, Juniper could be frozen by now. To Grover, if he didn't get there in time, saving nature was no longer important in life, because really, what was most important was keeping this juniper safe.

fin

(3)

Title: Age Difference
Pairing: Nico/Rachel
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-Series

The first time he noticed: high school graduation. She celebrated at a bar: Steam.

Him? Stuck babysitting at camp.

The second time: he kissed her good luck before she started college. Students were staring.

The third time: she got back from her first job interview. Nico had to ask.

"Is it weird that I'm younger than you?"

Rachel laughs. "No. You're smarter and sexier than every asshole my age."

"Including Percy?"

"Is he twenty-two?" Nico had to smile.

"So, it doesn't bother you?"

"Nope. You love me and I love you. Isn't that enough?"

And that's true. It is.

fin

(4)

Title: Brotherhood
Pairing: None
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-Series

After yet another headache-inducing banter, the three slouch in their individual thrones, letting Hera scold them.

The god of sky risks peeking a glance at Thalia, who is with none other than those two bloody nephews of his.

"Even our kids are better off than us," the lord of the sea mutters to his brothers.

They realize how pathetically immature they look as their children laugh together like one happy family.

A moment passes.

Then the lord of the dead opens his damned mouth. This time, chaos reigns for a month.

But they're still brothers one way or another.

fin

(5)

Title: Eyes
Pairing: Percy/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: Mid-series

She knew she was being stupid. She knew that his mesmerizing emerald eyes didn't mean anything. She was smarter than this; it was crazy thinking that a few hundred longing looks from his jade orbs meant something. It didn't mean he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

It didn't mean that he loved her as much as she loved him. It shouldn't.

But then, she looked at his eyes, those green eyes, one more time, and there was that look again. I love you so much, Annabeth.

And she can't help but fall in love all over again.

fin

(6)

Title: Claustrophobic
Pairing: Percy/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: Mid-BotL

I can hear him. Sense him. Dammit, I can even smell him. Not that he smells bad. Percy smells fine actually. Not even fine. Almost good.

No! ...No.

The point is: we're stuck in this goddamn tunnel and I know it's supposed to lead us to where all the answers to this goddamn quest are but I am not trekking through a small confined tunnel!

What do they expect me to do! I can't even take a single step in this damn tunnel and—

Did Percy just take my hand? ...He did. He really did.

Okay.

I'm not letting go.

fin

(7)

Title: Your Song
Pairing: Percy/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: Very-Post-series

It's raining outside.

Percy and Annabeth lie on the couch. Chest on chest. Cheek on cheek.

The TV rambles on in the background.

If you were one of them, you wouldn't notice the sounds of the world.

The rain pounds harder.

Percy twirls locks of Annabeth's princess curls in his calloused fingers.

Annabeth runs her hands up and down his chest.

If you were one of them, you'd be satisfied with the sound of the other's heartbeat.

The rain keeps changing patterns.

A kiss here and there.

It's like magic.

Making love is making magic.

The rain is steady now.

fin

(8)

Title: His Hands
Pairing: Silena/Beckendorf
Word Count: 100
Setting: something like post-BotL or pre-TLO

I'd like it if my brothers and sisters backed off. I'd like it if they'd maybe stop teasing me about him. I'd like to throw all of my siblings into dumpster duty if they don't shut the f—

I'd love it if they'd see him how I see him. Because to me, he is beautiful. Handsome, sweet and kind and every time he holds me in his hands, everything feels right again.

Maybe, diary, once things blow over and Charlie'll be a hero, people will love him as much as I do. Because I do love him. So much.

Silena

fin

(9)

Title: Let Me Take Care Of You
Pairing: Nico/Rachel
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-series

She drinks sometimes. You hate when she drinks but she does anyway. She knows she can't even handle three but she keeps at it.

You know why she drinks.

It's because of Apollo's constant flirting and demands for prophecies. It's because of her father's business right now. It's because of the stress demigods cause.

But you both know that when she's stumbling and slurring over her feet and words outside Steam; when all she needs is her bed and a wastebasket ready in the morning, she can count on you. She can count on Nico to take care of her.

fin

(10)

Title: Yeah, You'd Better Be
Pairing: Percy/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-series

"You'd better come home early," Percy demands sharply, arms folded across his chest, looking like the typical overprotective boyfriend.

Annabeth laughs. She leans her suitcase against the wall, wraps her arms around Percy's neck. Kisses him once on each cheek, then lingers on his lips.

When she pulls away, his eyes are closed and Annabeth remembers that this is the first time they'll be apart after months of... erm, indulging themselves in the other.

"It's only three days. I'll be flying home as soon as possible," Annabeth promises.

"Yeah, you'd better be," Percy confirms, and kisses her one last time.

fin

(11)

Title: Words
Pairing: none
Word Count: 100
Setting: Pre-series

"D'you know that 'uglify' was a word?"

"D'you know that 'uglification' was a word?"

"D'you know that 'fuckable' was a word?" At this, Luke started.

"Okay, really?" he asked incredulously. Travis grinned mischievously. Connor looked at his screen. The other Stoll burst into laughter.

"Oh, gods, it is a real word. Look it up," Connor demanded. Luke rolled his eyes but opened the application. There it was. Maybe he shouldn't have stolen these MacBooks after all. He scoffed.

"You guys are ludicrous."

"Ooh, big word there, Lukey m'boy," Travis teased lightly and the conversation was over with another eye-roll.

fin

(12)

Title: What?
Pairing: Percy/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: (presumably) after The Son of Neptune

She thought that things would be a bit more awkward after they'd all returned to Camp Half Blood. He thought that after the Romans had agreed to join forces with the Greeks, he'd be different. Darker, drearier, harder to deal with — just like a Roman.

She looks at him from across the table. He is different, but a more mature different. Nothing wrong with being a little more mature.

"What?" She's been staring.

"Nothing," she replies. His green eyes look eager.

"No, tell me. I want to know. What?"

"I still love you, that's all." She smiles.

"Oh."

He blushes.

fin

(13)

Title: Fix You
Pairing: Percy/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: Pre SoN

They leave me alone with you. We need a few minutes to see where you are, who you are, and what you've become. If you remember me. If you know me.

If you still love me.

"Annabeth…?" But the way you say my name isn't right. You're so uncertain, you're so hesitant, Percy, you're still lost.

It only takes a small step on my part and you're holding me in your arms and touching my hair and you're so broken. So broken.

And it's now that I promise that I will do anything to bring you home and fix you.

fin

(14)

Title: He Doesn't Look A Thing Like Jesus
Pairing: Luke/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: Up to around The Titan's Curse

He doesn't look a thing like Jesus.

He's too young, too blonde, too mischievous.

But he sure acts like the nicest kid on the block when he wants to.

Then he grows up and experiences too many things.

He decides to drag you into it.

He says, "Annabeth, we can be a family."

He doesn't look a thing like Jesus.

Too many scars, too much blood, too much everything.

You wonder, "Luke, when did you ever really love me?"

He doesn't look a thing like Jesus. And he sure as hell isn't anything like Jesus.

But what can you do?

fin

(15)

Title: If I'm Wrong, I'll Eat My Hat
Pairing: Nico/Rachel
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-series, Heroes of Olympus disregarded

Rachel grimaced and snatched the black Fender off of Nico's head.

"No, then?" Nico asked amusedly. Rachel placed on his head the beret she made him try on five hats ago.

"This is it," Rachel announced but Nico scrunched his nose.

"What? I like!"

"Berets are for the French!"

"So? You're French!" Nico looked at her flatly. "No, Hazel is. I'm Italian, genius."

"French, Italian, same thing. It just makes you look so good." That said, Rachel grabbed Nico's jacket, pulled him in for a rough kiss, and pressed the back of his head, berets and all, closer to her.

fin

(16)

Title: Letters To Home
Pairing: Nico/Rachel
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-series, Heroes of Olympus disregarded

"Red.

You're delusional.

Okay. Maybe I do love you. But if you even think that I'm going to go along with your whole romantic Shakespearean fantasy, think again. I am sending you one letter, and we're going back to the modern day thing we call Skype.

You want to know how Italy is? One word: incomprehensible.

I've completely forgotten my Italian. And it totally does not help that you call every night, afternoon, and morning (have you stopped sleeping?) to talk to me… in English.

Hold on, my phone is ringing. It's probably you.

I'll just stop writing here.

Nico."

fin

(17)

Title: Baby Steps
Pairing: Luke/Thalia
Word Count: 100
Setting: Pre-series, On The Run era

"Why a spoon from IKEA of all places?"

"Hey, if you're going to steal something, steal something nice."

Thalia rolled her eyes. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered quietly.

"C'mon. It's one spoon. Remember what I taught you? Baby steps." Luke put his hand on Thalia's shoulder encouragingly and gently nudged her towards the silverware.

Soon, Luke found himself getting kicked out of IKEA but as he and Thalia were shoved through the doors, his sharp eyes caught a silver glint in her pocket.

Two forks, he discovered later. He should've known. Thalia always skipped the baby steps.

fin

(18)

Title: Falling Skyward
Pairing: Percy-centric, some Percy/Annabeth
Word Count: 100
Setting: Son of Neptune

I should probably be terrified right now. Not really.

You know that people say you see a light right before you die? Either I'm clinically retarded or people are just wrong because I'm still falling and everything's gone dark.

And now I see: a hand, reaching for me, a voice attached to it, laughing at me. …Lovingly.

And now I see myself. Falling off the climbing walls. Falling over my feet. Falling down the stairs. Falling off my bike. Mom. Grover. Tyson.

And that voice (why is it so familiar?), and a hand reaching out for me. That face.

Annabeth.

fin

(19)

Title: Letters To Home, part ii
Pairing: Nico/Rachel
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-series, Heroes of Olympus disregarded

"Nico.

Your entire letter was a hundred words. Babe, if that was a challenge, it's on.

This letter will now be one hundred words.

Also, do not blame me for wanting to communicate with a boyfriend who doesn't even like to touch his own cellphone.

Do you know how hard it is to deal with Percy's and Annabeth's sexual tension (it's gotten worse because of their new apartment) without someone to make fun of them with?

It's hard.

So don't judge me, kid.

Now, I trust you'll be a good boy and email me photos of beautiful Italian men.

Rachel."

fin

(20)

Title: And the stars will keep watching.
Pairing: Annabeth-centric
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-TC, pre-BotL

These stars could be watching us.

It's really not that easy to forget the face of the boy who crossed North America to hold the weight of the world for you. I'd bet Orion's belt that not a single logical and respectable girl would be able to do it.

Except here I am, the one logical and dare I say respectable female who's trying to.

It is wrong to wish for a Someone with whom to lie on a roof and point at the stars.

Except here I am, wishing on said stars.

And those stars are probably watching me.

fin

(21)

Title: Golden Girl
Pairing: Silena/Beckendorf
Word Count: 100
Setting: Post-series

He could never write her a song. He'll never be able to.

He could never be handsome enough standing next to her. Not even in another life.

He was awful at writing. Love letters weren't his thing.

But he was clever. Resourceful. And his hands were born to invent and create.

And he was kind. Sweet. He was thoughtful, he listened, cared. He was a man in a boy's body. He made her feel stronger; put her back on her feet. With him, she was invincible.

She was a spoiled treasure; a traitor.

But he made her feel almost… golden.

fin

Notes: I hope that wasn't too painful for you. If it was … I am Truly Sorry ® and am willing to provide refunds upon negotiation.