THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM THE BURNING MAZE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

"Oh, gods,"Annabeth muttered right before she threw up on Percy's sneakers.

"What the-" Percy had little time to react as they'd just arrived at Camp Half-Blood via shadow travel with Nico. Nico had been visiting Hazel and offered to help the couple out with their travel needs. As much as the two loved spending time together, they weren't really interested in a cross country road trip. Flying was definitely not an option…still.

Nico turned even paler than usual as Annabeth tried to right herself and he skittered off mumbling about something Percy couldn't quite make out. Percy watched him go, kind of wishing he could trade places with the kid. But, noooo, Annabeth was his wife now. He was in it in health and in sickness he supposed. Not that they hadn't been through a ton of stuff together. Bodily fluids still kind of grossed him out, though.

Percy sighed as he shouldered his and Annabeth's bags and then took Annabeth's hand. She looked a little green and also a little embarrassed. His heart kind of hurt for her. That's love, he thought.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, wiping her mouth with the back of her free hand and looking around the hill to see if anyone else was around. "Shadow travel's never made me feel like that before."

He shrugged and gave her a small smile, squeezing her hand. "No worries. I'm sure I left a fresh pair of shoes in Cabin Three. Let's see if someone can take care of you in the Big House first."

They made their way to the Big House, through the crowds of teenagers enjoying everyday camp activities. Some of them gawked as Percy and Annabeth went by, but most of the campers had seen them before. The two of them were on winter break from college in New Rome and were coming to spend time with Percy's family for the holidays. It was their first Christmas since they'd gotten married over the summer and Percy couldn't think of a better way to spend it than crammed in his parent's little Manhattan apartment with his younger half-sister, Estelle.

The wedding that summer had been small and intimate. Many people were still in shock that 1) Annabeth still wanted to marry Percy 2) they were still alive and 3) they were getting married before they finished school.

They didn't care, though. After Jason, after everything…it was right. Their godly parents had even made a brief appearance, though Athena simply glared at Percy the whole time and hadn't actually spoken to him.

Annabeth didn't care. She just wanted to be with Percy.

Her hand shook in Percy's so he gripped it tighter, trying to calm her. Chiron greeted them at the Big House, but Mr. D forbade him to come in before he changed his shoes.

"I'll be back," he told Annabeth, who gave him a weak smile and a little wave.

Percy greeted his friends, old campers who were now counselors and trainers, as he made his way to the cabin built in his father's name. It was nice to see that they were all still around…still alive. He stood and watched them for a moment, feeling nostalgic. Before he made it to his own cabin, he stopped at the first of the row, however. He said a silent prayer for his fallen friend…his brother in arms, then he stepped away with a lump in his throat.

His breath caught as he finally entered Cabin Three, astounded by the change. In place of the bunks was a bed, like, a real adult bed. Percy blushed and looked around, running his hand over his face. Sure, he was married, but still. Did Poseidon do this? Were the campers playing a trick on him? What were the sleeping rules for married demigods?

In New Rome he and Annabeth shared a little apartment in a building where a lot of young families lived. It was a comfortable two bedroom place with a view of some of Annabeth's favorite structures. The couple had planned on spending most of the time with his family and hadn't really thought about if, or where they would sleep while at camp.

"Uh…thanks?" He muttered to no one in particular, hoping it would suffice. Then, he turned around and bolted back to the Big House.

Annabeth was sitting on the porch with Chiron, sipping from a mug. She and Chiron exchanged a glance as he made his way up the porch steps and to his wife. Percy could smell the peppermint tea as he got closer. He bent down and pressed a kiss to her blonde head.

"Better?" He asked, sitting on the edge of rocking chair.

"Yes," she said, though she wrinkled her nose. "But weren't you supposed to be looking for a pair of shoes?"

"Oh." Percy frowned and looked down his splattered shoes. "I got…distracted." His ears turned red and he glanced at Chiron then turned away abruptly.

"I'm going to…call my parents. Let them know we made it." He looked between the two of them again, feeling like he was missing something.

Percy hadn't gotten very far into the house before there was a yelp, a puff of smoke, and the lingering scent of grapes. Annabeth and Chiron rushed into see Percy hanging from his bare feet, tangled in a web of vines in front of an angry looking Mr. D.

"Did you not hear what I said, Jackson? Clean shoes!" He yelled before tossing Percy out on the front lawn. Annabeth rushed down the steps to make sure he was okay, but when she got there Percy was already getting to his feet with a smug grin on his face.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Annabeth frowned as she slipped her arm through his.

"He got my name right."

xXx

"Whoa."

"Right?" Percy flopped onto the big bed and patted the space next to him, raising his eyebrows in what he hoped was a seductive manner but it just made Annabeth laugh.

She obliged and curled into him, breathing in his saltwater scent and closing her eyes as he wrapped her up in his warm embrace.

"It's kind of weird," she whispered after a moment.

"Oh, totally weird. I'll be sleeping fully clothed on top of the covers, if you need me," he said with his lips to her forehead.

Annabeth smiled, closed her eyes, and let the hum of the ocean (where was it even coming from?) lull her to sleep.

When she woke up, Percy was gone. She didn't dream, which wasn't too out of character these days. She and Percy didn't go on quests much anymore and there didn't seem to be too much impending doom either. Still, what Chiron had said made her nervous. And she was feeling queasy again.

"Hey," Percy's voice startled her from her thoughts. "Nice nap?"

"You left," she said through a yawn.

"Sorry, you know I can't resist a good battle." He grinned and Annabeth realized this his purple shirt was ripped, dirty, and seemed to be smoking in some parts. Percy pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it in the corner, then tried to flatten his dark hair.

Annabeth raised her eyebrows.

"What?" He asked nervously, his hand going to his chest.

"Sorry, you know I can't resist you, Seaweed Brain."

Percy leapt onto the bed, landing on his feet and jumping up and down, causing Annabeth to shriek loudly.

"Gods, Percy! No! I'm going to be sick!" She yelled through her laughter, though she was clutching her stomach.

Percy stopped and belly flopped next to his wife. She had one hand on her stomach and the other arm draped over her reddened face. Her hair was fanned out on the white comforter and Percy's breath caught in his throat for the second time since they'd arrived. Gods, she was beautiful. He leaned over and pulled her hand away so he could kiss her. She obliged for a moment, before abruptly pushing him away, jumping off the big bed, and running to the bathroom.

He stared at the door after she slammed it, confused. Then he laid back, closed his eyes, and thought about dinner.