‘ fireworks ’

a percabeth oneshot

prompt : otp first date.

a / n : holy hera, i made it into the top five !?! i've got to do my best ! and i'm most familiar with our friends seaweed brain and wise girl, so they're ( once again ) our first date contestants.

i spent FOREVER brainstorming ideas, because percabeth's first ever date had to be special, right ? i thought of things like star gazing and a cozy night in with movies n' stuff, but then i was like – wait a minute.

uncle rick already gave me the answer. the fireworks !! who remembers ? if you don't, go pick up demigod files from your local library or bookstore, because it's such an awesome read.

enjoy !

“See you at the fireworks?”

Percy shook his head. Of course Annabeth asked him.

He was still confused – had she asked him out? As in, a date?

At this point, it didn't matter. He had thrown on his nicest camp t-shirt and cleanest pair of jeans for her, and he wasn't about to mess the night up.

Percy ran a hand through his dark hair as he walked to one of his favorite spots at camp: the lake. The campers would watch the show from there – or, most of them would. The majority of the Hephaestus campers would be handling the fireworks. And it was widely known that the Fourth of July Fireworks were the biggest dating event of the year at Camp Halfblood. So some half-bloods just chose not to come.

Percy couldn't blame them. Fireworks were cool, and he was excited to see what the campers had done with them. But he would be surrounded by couples doing. . .couple-y stuff. Had Annabeth not invited him, he probably would've stayed in his cabin.

The reminder of Annabeth had him furrowing his brow. Why had she asked him?

Percy thought for a moment. He and Annabeth had become pretty close since their last quest. She was his best friend, no competition.

But aside from that, his thoughts were jumbled. With Rachel Elizabeth Dare entering the picture, and Annabeth's sudden change in demeanor, plus the single kiss she had given him inside the volcano, things just didn't make sense.

He shook his head as he came upon the lake, it's waters glittering in the moonlight. He spotted Beckendorf a little to the right, sitting next to Silena Beauregard – and rather close.

Percy smiled, happy for his friend.

“Seaweed Brain, you decided to show up.”

He turned, recognizing the voice immediately. “Annabeth.”

Annabeth smiled. Her hair had been pulled back in a bun, a few curly strands framing her face. Her yankees cap hung from her waist, along with her dagger in it's gilded scabbard. She was wearing her CHB sweatshirt and light knee-length shorts that contrasted against her tanned skin.

All in all, she looked like Annabeth. Percy grinned.

“That's my name, don't wear it out.” Annabeth stuck her hands in the pockets of her oversized sweatshirt. “You ready for some serious explosions?”

Percy looked over his shoulder at the lake. “I hope so.”

Annabeth laughed. “You'll love them,” she promised. “They'll probably teach you more than I ever could.” She looked around. “It's rather crowded here, huh?”

Percy nodded, making a face.

She smirked and jutted her thumb out to the right. “Then let's go somewhere else.”

////

Percy was confused at first. How could they go anywhere else? Weren't they going to watch the fireworks?

On occasions like this, he'd learned to keep his mouth shut and listen to his friend.

Annabeth beckoned him to follow as she walked around the crowded picnic tables. She led him through a small group of bushes and trees that surrounded the lake, and over a little hill beyond that.

Percy followed obediently, thankful he'd worn jeans when the sharp plants snagged on his clothing. Annabeth, a little ahead, seemed to be doing just fine, as if she had walked this path a thousand times.

Maybe she had.

She was stepping in all the right places, and as much as he tried to copy her actions, it was an uncomfortable trek.

But it was short, and before long Annabeth emerged from the brush with her hands on her hips. “How's this?”

Percy stepped out behind her and looked around. His eyes widened in awe, taking the cozy area in.

It was cleared of the brush surrounding them, the floor covered in pillows and blankets that had obviously been set out earlier that day. The spot was more elevated than the lake's shore, overlooking the water with a beautiful view of the sky where the fireworks would go off.

It wasn't much, but it was an incredible improvement from the crowded, couple atmosphere behind them.

“Wow,” Percy said. “This is amazing.”

Annabeth looked proud. “There's some coke and snacks in the cooler over there. Because of short notice, they're not blue, but I think you'll survive.”

Percy looked at Annabeth, an adoring gleam in his eye. “When did you do all of this?”

Annabeth smiled a little wistfully and took a seat amongst the mountain of pillows, patting the spot beside her. When Percy plopped himself down next to her, she spoke.

“This is where I watch the show, every year.”

Percy didn't take his eyes off of the daughter of Athena, recognizing the look on her face and in her usually stony grey eyes.

Annabeth seemed to notice, and continued her story. “Luke found it, actually. He brought me here for the first time.” She fingered the blankets beneath her. “It was just like this, you know. He set it up for us – just me and him. Not even Thalia knew,” she said, looking smug for a moment.

Percy watched her carefully, mulling over her words in his mind.

Luke found it, actually.

Not even Thalia knew.

His heart pounded, because deep down he knew Annabeth didn't keep much from Thalia. More importantly, her memories of Luke were usually so guarded, even from him. For her to share this with him. . .that really meant something.

“Now that I think about it,” Annabeth said, interrupting his train of thought, “it's not really made for more than two people.”

“You think he did that on purpose?” Percy asked.

Annabeth looked at him. “Did what?”

He gestured at their surroundings. “Made it for just two people.”

Annabeth looked out over the water, blushing deeply. “I don't think he made this place himself. It was probably here way before our generation, maybe even by one of the well known demigods from the past. It's a wonder it didn't grow over.”

“Luke must've taken good care of it,” Percy suggested gently.

Annabeth shook her head slightly. “I have a feeling that Chiron knows it's here. He must have a satyr taking care of it from time to time.”

Percy, listening intently, debated whether he should grab her hand or not. He decided there was no harm in it, and gently took her hand in his. “It's amazing.”

Annabeth looked at their hands, and then his face, her eyes lighting up. “It better be, because I didn't spend two hours dragging everything up here just for you to think nothing of it.”

Percy laughed. “On second thought, there's no blue food. I'll have to dock some points for that,” he teased.

Annabeth released his hand and shoved him lightly, laughing herself. “Idiot. What is it with you and blue food?”

Before he could answer her, a loud popping noise had then both jump. They turned to look at the sky.

An explosion of smoke and color filled the sky, ruby red sparks flying left and right. Annabeth, keeping her eyes on the sky, reached for the cooler and placed it between them.

In the sudden silence, she whispered, “It's starting.”

Percy watched the sky, fascinated, as the explosions danced around, creating stories and recreating Greek legends. He saw Hercules, fighting the Nemean Lion, then the goddess Artemis chasing a large boar, even a man dressed in red, blue and white, crossing a body of water.

“George Washington,” Annabeth muttered, “distant relative.”

Percy wanted to laugh, but he knew it was very possible.

Dozens of Greek battles exploded in a variety of colors across the sky, and Percy couldn't help marveling at the work that the Hephaestus kids had done.

At one point, during a sort of intermission when the fireworks calmed down and became simple once again, he glanced at Annabeth.

They'd both stretched out on their backs, arms behind their heads. Annabeth was watching the light show with great interest, the bright flower like shapes reflecting in her glassy eyes. The sun had set a while ago, and shadows covered her face and body. She was enjoying herself, enjoying her time with him. For a reason Percy didn't know – maybe he would someday – that made him happy.

Annabeth must've noticed him staring at her, since at that moment she turned her head and met his eyes, green on grey.

She smiled, a kind, bright smile. Percy felt a similar one spreading across his own face, and they lay there for a moment, exchanging smiles.

He realized after a while that he wanted to tell her something.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” he said softly. “I know it means a lot to you.”

A light blush dusted Annabeth's cheeks, and even in the dim lighting, he could see it. It made him laugh a little.

“I haven't told anyone else,” she said, equally as quiet. Her eyes explored his face, memorizing every feature and nook. “So you better appreciate this.”

Percy's eyes sparkled. “I do.”

Once more, they were interrupted by a loud series of booms, and reluctantly broke eye contact to look at the smoky sky. 

The finale, Percy thought. He watched excitedly.

Slowly, a dozen missiles climbed higher, messing with the crowd's suspense and anticipation. Suddenly, they exploded. 100 armed Spartan warriors stood still, in a perfect battle formation. Percy watched, amazed for what would come next.

The crowd below them began changing, counting down like it was New Year's.

“10!”

Annabeth smiled and joined in.

“9!”

She turned to Percy, sitting up, and gestured for him to join in as well.

“8!”

Percy warily chanted with everyone, unsure of what was going to happen in less then 8 seconds. He quickly glanced at the group on the lake's shore and noticed many of the ones that had stayed in had come down to watch the finale, and were counting with the crowd.

“7! 6! 5!”

Annabeth stood and pulled Percy up with her. She didn't release his hand.

“4! 3! 2!”

Percy tore his gaze from their hands to look at the sky.

“1!” This one was by far the loudest.

The warriors lit up the sky in a thousand colors, so bright it almost hurt to look at. It was like someone had torn a hole and this was what was beneath – something godly.

And then deafening cheering came from the lake. All the campers were jumping up and down, or clapping, throwing their arms over each other's shoulders. On the small barge anchored on the far side of the lake, the Hephaestus kids could be heard celebrating.

Percy witnessed all of this in awe of what he was apart of.

Then Annabeth jumped on him with a hug, cheering herself. Percy wrapped his arms around her, grinning wider than he had all day.

🥛🍪🥛🍪🥛🍪🥛🍪🥛🍪🥛🍪🥛

Percy smiled at the memory, a hint of the same grin touching his lips. He looked down at the peaceful, sleeping Annabeth next to him, her head on his shoulder, snoring softly, almost inaudibly.

He brushed the hair gently away from her forehead and kissed it, realizing that day had technically been his first date with his Wise Girl.

He lay his head back on the couch at his mom's house, sighing contently.

Annabeth, for sure, was the best decision Percy had ever made.

[ MaiaPapaya4Life ]