He's still shaky, unsteady, clutching the Minotaur horn like he'll die if he lets go – but he's walking. He's alive.

For a moment, Annabeth wonders how he did it, allows herself to be a little impressed by his strength, the will he must have had to make it all the way; but those are the thoughts of a child, and she decides she only wants to know who this boy really is.

(And she hasn't been a child for a while now, anyway.)

Her eyes meet his.

Her breath catches, and she feels herself sinking down, down to the bottom of that sea of green…

Before she can drown, Annabeth pulls herself out. She opens her mouth to take a gulp of fresh air, and because she's temporarily lost control of her mouth –

"You drool when you sleep."

Then she turns and runs so he won't see her blushing.

His name is Percy.

a/n: first in my new "distractions" series, in which annabeth is distracted by percy and says/does something stupid. the other four - one for each book - will follow very soon. :) put me on alert if you want to know immediately when the others are coming!

reviews are always appreciated.

~whispered touches

disclaimer: i do not own annabeth or percy. they belong to rick.