Percy's hand is warm.

The intensity of his gaze is making her dizzy, so maybe she's imagining it, but Annabeth thinks he's glowing in the sunrise, Apollo reincarnated, like he's trying to heal her, say all that he needs to say, do all that he needs to do – save the world – just by looking at her. As if she holds all the answers.

If she were to die here (and she almost did), with the yellow sky spinning, everything silent but for their heartbeats, Percy's hand in hers, she would be happy.

Annabeth looks back at him and knows what he knows, that they can't now because it's dangerous, because there's no time, because they can't lose the other without losing themselves; even so, she tosses their unspoken rules off the balcony.

"You're cute when you're worried. Your eyebrows get all scrunched together."

He's startled, surprised. Doesn't know how to react.

But he's still holding her hand.

a/n: "can't" being them getting together. 'cause i feel like, by this point, they knew, they were clear, but so many things stopped them from actually being a couple. y'know? and this was a violation of their rules.

does anyone wanna read a harry potter deadly-sins fic? check out my profile. ;)

thanks for all of your reviews! most of your guesses were wrong, but very entertaining anyway. :P it's been a pleasure, guys. see you around!

hope you enjoyed it,

~whispered touches

disclaimer: i don't own percy or annabeth. they belong to rick.