Happy Birthday to the one and only Perseus Jackson!

(Do not own.)

O-o-O

"I'm just saying that it was an incredibly bone-headed move, even for you, and I say that with affection."

"Sure you do. And I told you, it wasn't my idea."

Annabeth sighed and stretched her legs out. "That was the stupid part. Who in their right mind would do anything the Stolls suggested?"

"I'm right handed," Percy said, snatching the bag of chips from her and taking one. "So technically I'm in my left mind."

"Don't even try to outsmart me, Seaweed Brain. And the point is I thought you would be smart enough to realize that putting Ares's boar head over the Aphrodite cabin's door is practically suicidal."

"At least I didn't stand under it while admiring my handiwork. I'm surprised Connor survived that one."

"He won't be alive much longer. Piper gets back tomorrow," Annabeth said, resting her head against the side of their little bubble. Her bare feet were propped near the top, Percy's head resting against her shins. It felt so nice to be able to simply sit and talk and not have to think too hard about anything that, for now, she didn't care what kind of trouble they would both be in for skipping lunch and sneaking down to the lake. Dish duty she could handle, lava and all, and this was worth every burn she would get.

"He'll die," Percy agreed, "Painfully."

"You sound so concerned," Annabeth said drily.

"What? She might charmspeak him into doing something so embarrassing he dies. The rest of us can enjoy the show."

She laughed and twisted a loose thread off the hem of her shorts, flicking it in Percy's face. He shoved his foot under her chin. "Get your disgusting feet out of my face," she snapped, shoving it away.

"Get your face out of my disgusting feet!" he said.

"That doesn't make any sense!" she shrieked, leaning forward enough to punch him in the chest.

"We're in a bubble two hundred feet under water, and that doesn't make sense."

"You're hopeless," she said, shaking her head.

"I thought I was Seaweed Brain," he said, rolling his eyes. "Make up your mind."

She moaned at his pathetic joke and closed her eyes. Maybe she would rather be at lunch after all.

"Hey," she heard him say, and then felt a tap under her chin—thankfully not from his foot. She opened her eyes, and he was leaning forward, legs crossed, grinning that adorable grin—the one where he cocked his head to the side a little and his eyes sparkled. "You know I only tease you because I like you so much, 'Beth," he reminded her.

She gave him a smile in return. "Yeah, I guess I like you too, Seaweed Brain."

"Well, since you like me so much, and it is my birthday…" he raised an eyebrow. "How about a kiss from my awesome girlfriend?"

She gave a dramatic sigh, and said, "Oh, I suppose. Just because it's your birthday." So she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

After a while, Percy came up for air—figuratively speaking—and rested his forehead against her own. "I love you, Wise Girl," he sighed.

She smiled and wiggled as close to him as she could, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his shoulders. "I love you too, Percy. Happy Birthday."

O-o-O

Happy Birthday again, Percy. Thank you for being my hero.