Title: The Party
Genre: Percabeth AU
Word Count: 4897

Author's Note: okay so this isn't a full on smut just yet because I wanted to see how you guys would react to this you know test the waters. But yeah so let me know what you think and maybe I'll post some more who knows. Also ik the title is bad maybe I'll change it idk but bear with me lol :)

PART TWO: CHAPTER 9

WARNING: some sexual scenes may offend readers—you have been warned.

oOo

ANNABETH GLANCED AROUND, examining the crowd as she sipped her drink. Fancy parties like this one never really were her scene.

Of course, they just so happened to be right up her best friend's alley. Silena mingled with different groups of guests as she passed them by. In her flowy gown and with how gracefully she moved, it looked like she floated across the floor rather then walked. Just watching her was incredible; she truly was a sight to see. If Annabeth were the jealous type, they could never be friends, but here they were, ten years later, still standing strong.

To be quite honest, these sort of parties fit Silena. After she created her own cosmetic line, literally building a business from the ground up, she became a huge influencer, getting invited to galas and other fancy events. Annabeth had been Silena's date to a few of them, and despite her own stubbornness, she always had a good time. It was hard to be miserable when you were sitting at the same table as Jennifer Lawrence. She had been to more of those special events before she was 25 than most people—people just as average as her—would be to in a lifetime. She was grateful, but it still wasn't her cup of tea.

"So," Silena's voice, smooth as silk, cut through Annabeth's thoughts. "Having fun?"An easy smile played on her velvet red lips.

"I'll let you answer that," Annabeth said, sipping again from her glass. It was only water—Annabeth usually didn't like to drink. There was something about waking up confused and hungover the next morning that didn't appeal to her. Still, the glass in her hand was more of a nervous habit—her ADHD made it impossible to sit still, and drinking water was better than playing with her own fingers.

"Well from the look on your face and the glass in your hand, I assume your night could be better, but it could be worse." Silena had this incredible ability to read people. With a single look she could figure out your entire psyche.

Annabeth had been told that she had that glance; like her steely grey eyes bore right into your soul, defiling your thoughts. To be entirely honest, Annabeth was probably better at figuring people out than her best friend. She had been doing it a long time.

"I say you hit the nail right on the head," Annabeth said, smirking at her best friend.

"Well, I appreciate you being here to support me anyways," Silena cooed, leaning into Annabeth until she reached over the dark-haired girl's shoulders and pulled her into a hug. One thing stood above the rest; support. Annabeth had always and would always support her friends and family.

"I mean, where else would I be on a special night like this?" Annabeth asked rhetorically. This party was being held to celebrate the release of a new eyeshadow palette. Annabeth had been one of the first people to try it out, although she prefers going makeup-free. She had to say, once you try Silena's makeup, you'll never want to wear another brand again.

"Thank you." They pulled away. Just then, another group of guests was being ushered into the house. "I should go say hello." Annabeth just nodded, and with that, Silena was off, floating back through her house.

Annabeth breathed in deeply through her nose and exhaled. She hadn't realized how tense her shoulders had been before she relaxed them. Scanning the crowd, she saw one person she certainly wasn't ready to see.

Percy Jackson stood against a wall towards the other side of the room. Seeing him at an event like this, dressed like that... it was so not Percy. But seeing him in that suit... Suddenly she was back to that night. His hands in her hair as she gripped the headboard—no. She couldn't get distracted. It was a one-night-only thing, and it was over. But still... what was he doing here?

She realized she was staring and quickly looked away, praying he hadn't noticed her. A few moments passed, and she assumed it was safe to sneak one more glance, maybe get a clue as to why he was here. But of course, she looked at just the wrong moment.

Their eyes locked and suddenly it was like there was no one else in the room. The air was sucked from her lungs as images of him on top of her flashed through her head. His sea green eyes looked much less feral now than they had that night, but still, they churned like the ocean. It was difficult not to get pulled into his mesmerizing gaze. Annabeth noticed the little once-over he gave her. She really hoped her cheeks hadn't turned red, because that was enough to do it.

Just then, his eyes tore away from hers. Annabeth watched as a tall, thin, red-headed girl pulled him along. Annabeth was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her before she and Percy disappeared into the crowd. Her dress, pale green and flowy, was something Silena would scold Annabeth for even looking at. Not that it looked... bad, per se, but she definitely could have done better. Either way, it certainly was a statement.

Luckily for Annabeth, Silena had dressed her. Annabeth didn't own a lot of fancy things, but Silena owned enough for their entire city to play dress up. She had lent Annabeth this sparkling grey gown. It fell perfectly on her, according to Silena, with the high slit coming up to her thigh, and the neckline dipping just as far as Annabeth was willing to go, all while the dress being fitted to her slim curves. To be perfectly honest, she was very satisfied with her look. She knew when she looked good and when she didn't and right now... well, she was a sight to see.

Silena didn't know about Percy. You'd think she would tell her best friend about the guy she spent one of the best nights of her life with, but Annabeth hadn't been with anyone in a while, and she knew Silena would make a big deal of it. Besides, it had only been about a week since then, and Annabeth was still trying to sort through her feelings. But despite whatever she was feeling, she knew it was never going to happen again. They both agreed; one time thing. Besides—Annabeth wasn't looking for anyone right now. Not after the last relationship she was in.

Annabeth decided she needed some air. She placed down her glass and began navigating her way through the sea of strangers to the back balcony. It was the end of March, so the weather was becoming warmer, although there were nights like these which were colder.

Despite Annabeth's spaghetti-strap dress, she didn't want a jacket. She didn't mind the cold, being originally from New York. She sighed and leaned her elbows on the balcony railing.

Gazing over the city, it was hard not to be at least a little amazed. Annabeth had seen this view a million times, but still. It was incredible to think about the thousands of people living in that city. Everyone living their own lives with their own problems and quirks. She tried to imagine what would happen if you took the personality out of everyone in Hollywood and bottled it all up. There would be no bottle big enough to hold all the personality of even half the city's population. It made her feel incredibly small, but there was a strange comfort in that.

"Incredible, isn't it?" A voice reached into the waters of her thoughts, pulling her back through the surface. Of course, this could only be one person.

"Certainly," Annabeth said smoothly. She decided to go along with Percy and whatever his plan was. "Silena does have probably the best view in Hollywood." She would know—Annabeth designed this house.

"I'm not so sure about that," he said slyly. That got her to look at him. He was leaning an elbow on the railing, facing Annabeth and seemingly admiring her. She hoped he couldn't recognize the blush in her cheeks. That glance was enough to make her melt, even in the cold. And just looking at him in that suit made her want to rip it off of him.

"What brings you to this party? I didn't peg you for a male makeup artist in your spare time," Annabeth joked. Her exterior was cool as ice despite the volcano erupting in her chest. She needed to keep her composure.

"I'm here with a friend." Percy glanced back out over the expanse of lights.

"'Friend'?" she asked. She knew she was pushing it, and it shouldn't have mattered to her; it didn't. Whoever Percy was or wasn't with wasn't important, because it wasn't her and it never would be.

"Rachel Dare. The girl in the bright green dress. I'm sure you saw her when you were staring at me—"

"I wasn't staring at you."

"Oh so you were just eyeing me like you wanted to rip my clothes off and not staring?" Percy's mouth was a few inches from her ear now, and his voice was low, almost like a growl. It brought her right back to his bedroom. She tried to ignore the chills that spread down her neck as his breath fanned her ear. She continued staring out at the view, not daring to make eye contact with him. Being so close to him again made her dizzy.

"You were the one who gave me a once over and the look on your face told me you'd rather see this dress on the floor," Annabeth shot back. Her voice was almost a whisper but there was a bite behind it that she knew would get under his skin.

Percy took a step back, a smirk playing on his lips. Annabeth felt cold without him breathing down her neck. "So why are you here?" The way he could switch back to regular conversation just like that... it was almost impressive.

"Well, believe it or not, Silena Beauregard—the girl whose makeup is getting launched tonight—is my best friend," Annabeth explained. People usually freaked out when she told them that, which is why Annabeth didn't usually volunteer that information. It was tiring getting asked for discounted or even free makeup.

"That's interesting," Percy countered.

"How so?" Annabeth knew that their friendship was a surprise to people considering their personalities, but she wanted to hear him explain it to her.

"Well, Annabeth Chase, I didn't take you for the type. You're not a party animal, even though you're wild in other ways," he mumbled, earning a glare from Annabeth. He simply winked at her and kept talking. "You're more comfortable out of the spotlight. You don't like big crowds, parties... its not your scene. You're all about getting to know people, which is why your eyes are so piercing; you can figure someone out in a split second, even me. So to see all of these people dressed up; its not for you because you know that its a mask for a lot of people. It makes it harder for you to see who they really are," Percy continued. His voice was so smooth and deep, she could listen to him talk for hours. And about her, no doubt, was just... hearing her name on his lips was something else. "So my guess is that you two go way back, before any of Silena's success. Maybe high school," he guessed.

Annabeth tried not to look too impressed. There was something telling her to play hard to get—something telling her it would drive him crazy. "8th grade."

"I was pretty close," he insisted, shrugging.

"Missed it by a hair," Annabeth protested, measuring with her fingers.

Percy stepped closer to her, taking a strand of hair that had fallen from her updo between his fingers. "Yeah but I was still close," he nearly whispered. Suddenly all she could think about were his hands in her hair and the way he tugged the strands as he—no. She couldn't get caught up in... him. Annabeth wasn't about to set herself up just to get hurt again.

Percy's hand trailed up from the curl to her left ear, gently pushing her hair back. She suddenly remembered the hickey he had left there, in that little spot that made Annabeth writhe with want. The effect Percy had on her was quite honestly ridiculous, but she couldn't say she didn't understand it. Everything about him was just... sexy.

Percy's hand trailed back down to her curl, his nimble fingers smoothly sliding the silky hair between his fingers. She watched his hand, thinking about what those fingers could do.

She looked away, turning back towards the view, her curl falling from his fingers. She needed to let go of her thoughts of him, but that was difficult when they were all she could seem to think about. Little clips played out through her head, reminding her of the euphoria he made her feel. But it didn't matter.

"I should go back in, Silena's probably looking for me." Annabeth turned away and began walking back inside. Before she could make it to the door, Percy reached out, grabbing her.

Seeing his hand gripping her arm made fireworks go off along her spine. They locked eyes, Annabeth waited for Percy to speak, but he didn't. Maybe he didn't have to—Annabeth began to understand the look in his eyes; want.

After what felt like forever, he let go and she walked back inside, a smirk playing on her lips.

oOo

"Hey, babe." Silena walked up to Annabeth.

"Hi," Annabeth said. "How's the party going?"

Silena's dazzling smile told Annabeth the answer before her voice did. "Everything's going great. And how about you? I noticed you outside with someone," she explained, a suggestive grin on her lips.

"Oh, uh, that was nothing," Annabeth insisted, shrugging it off. Now was not the time or place to tell Silena about Percy, especially about what they did.

"Yeah, right." Silena rolled her eyes. "I haven't seen you blush like that in years."

"I'm not blushing, it's just warm in here," she protested. She cursed her red cheeks, trying to make it go away.

"Okay, Anna," Silena said, though Annabeth knew Silena would bring it up later. "Anyways, there's someone I want you to meet." Silena grabbed Annabeth's hand and began leading her through the crowd. "She's an artist who, apparently, uses my makeup for her art pieces. She's even starting to experiment with body art. I mean, it's so awesome to see my makeup being used in such a unique way," Silena explained, the biggest grin on her face. Her eyes lit up the way they did when she was excited.

Annabeth nodded enthusiastically. Quite honestly, that did sound incredible. But when she saw who it was, it suddenly was difficult to admire it.

"Annabeth, meet Rachel Dare."

With her green dress and bright red hair, she was certainly a sight to see. Her makeup was simple, as in not enough to hide the natural freckles covering her face. Her dress was even more... interesting up close.

No, Annabeth told herself. You're only being critical because she's here with Percy.

Sometimes her thoughts, annoyingly, exposed her true feelings to herself. Annabeth truly didn't have any real reason not to like this girl. Her green eyes were different than Percy's; like a meadow, rather than the sea. Annabeth liked his eyes more. She had to admit, the girl was pretty; maybe that's why she felt threatened. Either way, she decided to get over herself.

She stuck out her hand. "Annabeth Chase," she introduced.

"Rachel," she said, shaking her hand. Despite her thin frame, her shake was firm. Annabeth held her head high, feeling the urge to prove herself somehow. She tried to swallow her jealousy; she knew it was an ugly color on anyone. She wore the best, easy-going smile she could muster.

"So, Rachel, can you tell Annabeth exactly how you use my products? I mean, I tried to, but you can explain it way better than I can," Silena chuckled.

"Of course." Rachel smiled. "So, I'm an artist. You probably haven't heard of me because I haven't been dead for years and I haven't cut my ear off," she joked. Annabeth just smiled a bit wider, nodding her head; she didn't want to laugh, but she didn't want to be rude. "So I saw Silena's palette and all I could think was how pretty the colors were. I'm always looking to experiment with new materials and textures, so I started using her makeup in my works."

Rachel pulled out her phone, showing Annabeth a few pictures. She examined them, and they really were gorgeous.

"That's incredible," Annabeth complimented, plastering a smooth smile on her face. It would have been awkward and rude of Annabeth not to compliment her art, for as much as she didn't want to admit it.

"Thank you. So, now I'm just starting to get into body painting, which is pretty self-explanatory; basically using a person as your canvas." Annabeth nodded in understanding. Obviously she knew what body painting was. "And I've only done two works on that, but here they are." She showed her the other pictures. It was a woman, her entire body painted like a mosaic of the sea. It was amazing. Annabeth enjoyed art, but not modern art. While, yes all art is an expression of the artist, she believed modern artists were making a ridiculous amount of money for a few color splatters on a huge canvas. It didn't make any sense to her at all. Rachel's art could be something worth paying good money for, though she would never admit that aloud.

"That's really great," Annabeth said. "I mean, I'm an architect so I have some experience in sketching, I guess but I certainly could never do that," she explained.

"You're an architect?" Rachel asked, raising her eyebrows in interest. As far as Annabeth could tell, it wasn't fake.

"Yes—"

"Hey," a voice chimed in. Of course, Percy was right on time. Suddenly, locking eyes with Percy, Annabeth's fingers drummed on her purse. Being around him made her ADHD act up, for as much as she tried to hide it. Her urge to just kiss him was something she desperately needed to hide, but having to silence these feelings wasn't easy. It made her fidget more than she liked, especially with her hands and having to keep them off of him.

"Hi," Rachel greeted him back, her grin suddenly growing. "This is my friend Percy."

"It's nice to meet you," he introduced himself to Silena and she shook his hand.

"I'm Silena, this is Annabeth," Silena introduced her. Annabeth decided to go along with that, feeling it to be the safest route.

"Annabeth Chase," she said with a venomous smile, yet sweet and velvety all the same. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine," he said. Their eye contact lingered longer than it should have, and he wasn't quick to break off their handshake. He wore that same stupid, sexy smirk he always did, especially when he knew he was frustrating Annabeth. It was like everything he did unbelievably irritated her, but at the same time it impossibly turned her on. Maybe that's why she was so annoyed; he made her feel things that she couldn't control.

Annabeth was all about being in control of herself and her emotions. She usually tried not to let them show, for then they would affect her entire life and that was something she couldn't risk. It became difficult to open up after Luke.

She and Silena love each other to death, but Silena couldn't believe how Annabeth could go so long with being perfectly content on her own. But that was simply how she functioned. It was easier to keep your feelings to yourself; you were less likely to get hurt. Sometimes that made her quite aloof, but Silena always pulled her back down into society.

"So Annabeth was just telling me about how she's an architect," Rachel explained, gesturing for Annabeth to continue.

"Yes, I'm head architect at my firm, meaning I take on more of the bigger, important projects, I guess you could say." Annabeth had told Percy that she was an architect, but she didn't go in depth, so she wasn't surprised to see him impressed.

"Good for you," Rachel complimented. Annabeth accepted as graciously as possible. It was just a little difficult to be this nice, but simultaneously, it was hard to be rude.

"Guess who designed the house that we're standing in right now," Silena said.

Rachel's jaw dropped. "Really? Wow! I was just saying how I love this room—was I not just saying how I love this room?" She turned to Percy.

"Yes, you were," he chuckled, nodding. Seeing the way they looked at each other made Annabeth's insides boil. It only made it worse when Percy's hand subtly found its way to Rachel's back. She prayed Percy didn't notice the split second that her face fell into a frown before she could compose herself. Just as quickly as she frowned there was a serene smile back on her face. Percy shot her a sly glance; he knew exactly what he was doing to her. When Rachel glanced away, she took the opportunity to roll her eyes at him, trying to tell him that he was going to lose this little game he was playing. His smirk grew into a grin.

They continued to make light conversation, and Annabeth could feel Percy's eyes on her almost the entire time. It took everything she had not to glance back, but she had to hold her ground. But she had to admit; seeing Percy with Rachel made her insanely jealous. She needed to claim him somehow, even though he wasn't even hers. In the heat of the moment, she forgot all about what she had been telling herself all night; it was a one time thing. If it went any farther, it could become something she didn't want. She could end up hurt again. But she didn't care.

She decided on her plan after their conversation ended. She tapped her heel on the floor and sipped from another glass of water as she desperately waited for the moment to strike.

Sitting alone, she knew Percy would approach her, and just as she predicted, he did.

"You just love Rachel," he said, suddenly standing next to her.

She didn't look at him. "Why wouldn't I?" She knew full well he was being entirely sarcastic, but she didn't exactly care.

"Lie to me all you want, you hate her," Percy said, lowering his voice as he leaned closer to her.

"I never said that," she protested, sipping from her glass. Her facade stayed on, cool as ice, and she held her composure just as well.

"You're jealous," he went on. That struck a chord in her. She slowly exhaled through her nose in an attempt to keep her walls up and emotions in. "You desperately wanted me to be touching you instead of her," he said, getting even closer. Annabeth still didn't look at him; now he was standing close enough that, once again, he was whispering in her ear, and, once again, she was melting. "You can't stop thinking about that night, the way I held you. You act unphased but I see the look in your eyes, practically begging for me to touch you again."

Annabeth sipped water once more before looking him dead in the eyes. "It's cute that you think you have all this power. I'm the one begging? You can't keep your eyes off me. You desperately want me again, to touch you, run my hands through your hair, trail my fingers down your chest..." she went on, her voice like maple syrup flowing from her mouth, her words tumbling out slowly. She glanced suggestively down his body, knowing that would drive him crazy. Judging from the red in his cheeks, she had a feeling she got what she wanted. "You're barely keeping it together, you're hanging by a thread. You want me to cave first but I could do this all... night... long..." she drawled, staring him dead in the eyes. She knew exactly what she was doing, especially with that last line. "Everything I do, even the way I say your name..." She watched his adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard, an almost hopeless expression on his face. He wanted to act in control, but the second Annabeth fired back, she could disassemble him like cheap furniture. "Percy," she breathed, giving a bit of voice to it. "You want me so badly, you're already drooling." She smirked at the look on his face. "To you, I'm irresistible." With that, she sauntered off.

You're probably thinking, that was the plan?

Well, Annabeth had much more in store. She knew very well that Percy would follow her; after that, it would be impossible for him not to. When she played it just right, he was like a lovesick puppy. She made her way down a hallway to the stairs. She glanced back, seeing Percy making his way through the crowd. She continued up the stairs. Once she was on the second floor, she made her way to the bathroom, already hearing Percy's footsteps up the stairs. She smirked.

Standing just before the bathroom, she waited.

Finally, Percy made it to her. He walked steadily, but there was a feral look in his eyes. When he was standing in front of her, she spoke.

"Took you long enough—"

Percy cut her off with a kiss. He gripped her waist and entangled his hand in her hair at the back of her head, bringing her lips to his. At that point, she melted into the kiss on instinct. There was no way she was going to let Percy take the lead, but to let him think that at first could work out well for her.

They pushed into each other, going back and forth. Percy pressed his body into hers as she hit the wall with a gentle thud. Her hands found their way to the hair at the nape of his neck, a low growl coming from the back of his throat. Annabeth smirked against his lips at that. Then, she pushed him back towards a bedroom across the hall from the bathroom. Opening the door, she kissed him as he pulled her inside. She pushed him towards the bed before turning and locking the door. He tugged off his blazer as she pulled the pins from her hair, letting the blonde curls cascade down her shoulders. After she pulled off her heels and Percy's shoes were thrown aside, she pushed him onto the bed. She unzipped his pants, sliding them off with his help.

They kissed again, his hands traveling up her sides and the slit of her dress. Sooner than she thought, he found the zipper at the side, pulling it down.

"It's funny how fast you found that zipper," she breathed into his mouth.

"Shut up," he mumbled. Annabeth slipped off the dress, Percy almost ripping it in the process; knowing how desperate he was for her made her smirk.

With the dress gone, Annabeth crawled on top of Percy, straddling his hips. She looked down at him, his face at her neck. He began planting small kisses all over her collarbone, eventually trailing up to that spot behind her ear. She quietly moaned as he bit her earlobe.

While he worked on giving her lovebites, her hands trailed down to the buttons of his shirt, quickly undoing them and throwing it aside, all while she grinded into him, creating incredible friction. Then, she pushed him down until he was lying flat on his back. Kissing him again, and down his neck, he groaned rather loudly. Suddenly Annabeth got an idea. She reached over, grabbing his tie. Rolling it up, she shoved it in his mouth, gagging him.

"We have to be quiet," she whispered, her lips right next to his ear. She bit his earlobe as a high pitched whine came out muffled through his tie. She began kissing back down his neck, trailing further until she reached the waistband of his underwear.

Let's just say it wasn't a very quiet night.

oOo