FIST FIGHT

"run your tongue over my teeth"

     HER FISTS STRUCK LEATHER, SENDING A TWINGE OF PAIN THROUGH HER ARMS. Her muscles were beginning to become worn out, stressed with tension. She didn't mind, though.

Ariadne panted while continuing her movements. Her knuckles were almost bleeding raw, the tape around her skin having been discarded long ago when it kept taking the brunt of the force away.

She needed the burning sensation in her lungs. It helped her focus. She knew she deserved it, after all her years of ignoring the hard truth that ha deben smacking her in the face—she wasn't strong enough.

Thoughts swarmed her head like the churning sea; daunting, dangerous, and just a bit dark. Nothing was helping her focus. She had left Percy in his room to shower, as he felt a bit disgusted from that aquarium water. If he had noticed her mood he hadn't said anything. For that, she was grateful.

All she wanted to do was punch her knuckles raw and find a way to save someone without losing another.

Ariadne hadn't noticed Percy leaning against the door frame to the small training room they had below deck. It had a few punching bags and chains, but it was mainly filled with mats on the walls and floors for sparring. She had spent too much time there while Leo had been building the ship, and when they were on their way to retrieve Percy and meet Camp Jupiter.

His shoulder pressed into the wooden frame while his arms were crossed tightly, dawning a new tank top and a black pair of shorts. His hair was wind-swept, strands tickling his forehead. Those sea-green eyes raked her body in a rabid fashion, something he hadn't intended.

"Annabeth told me you spend a lot of time in here," Percy spoke up after a few minutes.

Her eyes swept over him. Her beauty was ragged while she wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead, letting them fall to the group while she ignored her bloody knuckles. She licked her chapped lips, saying nothing.

Percy eyed her with a calm expression. Usually, when anyone saw her in training mode, they backed away and left. But Percy knew how she was, he knew her own limits, and what he could do in training against her. Of course, he had only beat her once in the five years of sparring, but the boy had watched her plenty of times. His ocean eyes were unwavering against her cold expression. She was wanting him to leave her to continue her grueling pain, but that wouldn't happen.

Ariadne huffed when he didn't turn to leave. Her stubborn boyfriend was pushing her buttons. She ignored his movements farther into the room while facing the punching bag once more, holding her fists out before jabbing them.

Stings of pain flooded her hands, ruining the once flawless skin with small marks and torn pieces from the strength of her punches. Blood began trickling down her hand, flowing with the veins under her skin, dropping to the matted floor. She would clean that up later.

Strong palms pulled her wrists back from the leather bag. They yanked her with force, and if she hadn't been well trained, she would've been thrown completely off balance.

Calloused fingers gripped her hands as they brushed the raw and bloody knuckles. She held back a hiss that almost escaped her lips, choosing to bite the inside of her cheek while she struggled to free herself.

Her eyes narrowed in on the stern expression staring down at her. She pursed her lips to hold back the scowl crawling onto her lips, urging herself not to flip him over her shoulder in fear of hurting him too much. It was a very strong urge.

A heavy sigh left his mouth. "Aidan," he murmured, "stop."

"Get off," she grunted. Her hands were twisting to escape, causing him to hold her tighter. "Let me go, Percy."

"Not unless you stop doing this. Stop hurting yourself."

She glared. "I'm not." Her tongue swept over her teeth, a tell that she had developed after the war, he knew she was lying. She didn't know she did it. "This is training. Just need to let a little steam out."

"I have no problem with you training," Percy said, "but this excessive force on your bare hands isn't healthy. You're hurting yourself."

"Percy, just stop. Let me go, now."

Percy stepped closer. His fingers had a death grip, no doubt turning her wrists red, but it didn't hurt. Ariadne stood straight before noticing the gleam in his eyes. "Whatever this is, you can tell me. There's no need to do this any longer."

Ariadne twitched her fingers. "If you don't release me in five seconds, I'll have you in pain in less than two."

Percy knew she could and would, but he would take his chances. The boy was worried for her. This wasn't healthy, it was harming her health. Annabeth had expressed her own worries, and even noticed the other's sudden glances at the scabs and fading marks on her hands, but looked away before she could tell them off. They didn't want to pry, nor cause any trouble, and Percy was the only one who could snap her out of it.

"Aidan, just talk to me."

Her foot knocked his legs out from underneath him. His back hit the floor, allowing herself to pry her hands out of his grip before flipping away. Percy grunted at the impact, but quickly recovered while flipping up onto his feet.

They stood across from each other. Ariadne was heaving ragged breaths, while Percy was calm and stern. He wasn't going to let this continue. She could fight him, that was fine, but not herself. He would rather himself be hurt.

The made a jab at her arm, but she side stepped while blocking his hit. The boy spun around before kicking at her chest, but she ducked that, too. She was always better than him, but he was persistent on wearing her out.

Ariadne felt adrenaline and anger pumping through her veins. The girl gripped his arm while pulling him close, his foot sweeping her leg before she was brought down. Her fingers dug into his skin, using the motion to flip him beneath herself.

Percy slammed against the mat while she was locked in his arms. Her hands were clenching his tank top, scowling deeply while he wouldn't free her. Their chests were touching, and if she listened closely, the beating of his heart punctured through the tension. Her teeth boy her cheek to stop the rising heat in her body, or the incessant need to bruise his lips.

His arms were gripping her back down. She tried knocking her elbow against his side, but with a quick roll, and she was under him. Percy's knees had her legs pinned down, his hands holding her wrists, keeping them beside her face while he panted, looking down at her.

"You let me win," he whispered. "You never do that."

Ariadne rolled her eyes. "So what?"

"There's something wrong." Percy furrowed his brows. "You want to tell me. I know you."

"Just because you've known me long, doesn't mean you know me that well," she muttered. Despite saying this, her heart knew it was true.

Percy laughed. It was a breathy laugh, one that didn't really rumble his chest, but it made her stomach clench. "You usually prefer to sleep in until ten on weekends, unless my mom makes French toast, then you'll be up in seconds. You hate storms unless you can watch the lightning flash by. Your favorite thing to do is when we run in those fields out of the city and we stay there all day."

He tilted his head. "I have more, if you still don't think I know you."

"Fine. But you can let me go, now. I'm annoyed at this point."

"More of a reason for you to keep punching yourself to death," Percy argued. The boy was ignoring the sharp tug in his gut when her tongue ran over her teeth. "This isn't healthy, Aidan."

Ariadne grit her teeth. "Whatever. Just..." her voice faltered. "Let me go. This is what I want."

Percy leaned closer to her. His lips stopped beside her ear, his breath tickling her cheek while she fought the flush traveling up her body. A whole body shiver ran through her, and his tightening hands meant he felt it, too. "I don't care what you want, Aidan. I'm doing what's best for you."

"This is stupid," Ariadne retorted. "Percy, I'm not hurting myself. I'm perfectly fine. I'll heal."

The boy glared at her. Anyone else, they would've been terrified by what he had coined his 'wolf' look. But her, she only felt the quickening peace of her heart.

"It doesn't matter if you'll heal, what matters is that you're doing this to punish yourself. For what, I can't be sure, not unless you explain it to me. Something is eating away at you, I know it. Please, I want to help, because you're all I have, Aidan."

She was tempted to cave. To tell him everything; her terrible dreams of suffocating in vines, begging the earth to stop while there is pain everywhere, or the fact she kept seeing the Fates more and more, that string taunting her with her decision, and the realization she was slowly feeling less like herself, more resentful, want to rip everything apart and start over.

But she couldn't—the girl had no reason to warrant worry for him, or for him to want to stay away from her. She was a bad luck charm for everyone around.

Ariadne's throat bobbed. Her eyes wavered with temptation and longing, for him to hold her while the worries of the world faded away, where this was all just a bad dream and they were still in his bed, wrapped in his blue comforter while she could hear the city in the night. Where they could lay there for the rest of the night, telling stupid stories they made up or about some drama at camp, something other than her nightmares. But they weren't there.

Here they were, pinned against one another, while her knuckles were caked with dried blood and sweat, metallic filling her saliva while she struggled to swallow the confessions in her throat.

There was a tense moment between them, where neither knew what to do. They both held their breaths, lungs screaming for air, but all they could do was think. They scrambled for an answer or question to give the other, anything aside from the sword hanging above their heads about her part of the prophecy. It was salt in the wound for them, knowing nothing would ever last, wanting it to for just once. It was a dangerous thing to meddle with fate, especially one of a prophecy, but they wanted to for the sake of another day together and another night of happiness.

"Trust me, Percy," Ariadne said, "you don't want to know."

His grip loosened. She pushed him off of her. Her body rose to its feet before quickly walking out of the room. The girl headed toward her own, holding back the sinking feeling in her gut while footsteps followed behind.

Percy was the one who stopped as her head rested on the door knob, her shoulder shaking while gripping the door for a grip back into reality.

His eyes were focused on the pale hands. She was beating herself down for no reason, that was a fact. "Aidan..."

Ariadne shoved her way into the room, not bothering to push him out. The girl just wanted to scream at the world. But, maybe, she just wanted to end her frustration, and he was making her frustrated.

Percy shut the door behind him, locking it in case someone decided to bust in at a vulnerable moment for her. Ariadne didn't enjoy being sad before others, it wasn't her style. She always had on a strong facade despite everything. The boy noticed her tugging at her curls.

"Aidan, calm down—"

"Shut up," she growled. "Just shut up. This is so stupid, you don't need to baby me."

Percy knew she didn't mean it. "I'm not. I'm trying to help."

"Help," she scoffed. "All I am is frustrated, so unless you want to be a human punching bag right now, shut up."

"Okay." Percy stood still. "Hit me. Just not yourself."

Ariadne glared at him. "Ugh! Stop that! Stop being this honorable boy, it's making me so angry. For once, can't you just yell at me, can't you just fight back?"

"Because that's not me," Percy shot back, his fists clenched. "This argument is so pointless. Aidan, you've been hurting yourself for months. You know what this is called—self-harm. It's harming yourself on purpose, with the intent of paining yourself for something you are feeling or can't control."

"I don't need a therapist," she said, her voice breaking. "So just leave."

"I won't. I promised you I would never leave you."

Ariadne couldn't take it. "THEY ALWAYS DO!"

Her shoulder shook in agony. The girl was willing herself not to punch him, to take everything out on him. She couldn't that, he meant too much. Why he was staying for her, why he even bothered caring so much about her he was willing to hurt himself, to lay down his life only to see her smile—it didn't make any sense.

Percy noticed her angry look. The girl was willing herself to not yell out at him with everything she had. But he wanted her to. The boy wanted to feel every ounce of passion in her lungs, every drop of anger in her veins, every taste of unhappiness, he wanted to take it all from her, to save her from this pain she was feeling. It was overwhelming—Percy just wanted to feel her.

"Why you decide to stay, you're stupid," she told him. "This isn't worth it."

His vision went red. But because she called him stupid, but because she called herself worthless, that she was a stupid reason he was staying around. Ariadne had always been selfless, but it was times like these where she was completely selfish, taking all of her away from him by pushing herself away. It wasn't her fault, though. The girl didn't know what he felt, but maybe, she needed to know.

"Just stop putting yourself down," he said. "You're worth every breath I breathe and every tear I shed. You're the best thing to ever happen to me, because you never fail to make me smile or laugh. There's something about you that sets me on fire. When you hug me, when you touch me, when you fight—I'm alive."

"Why?" Ariadne fumed. "If you haven't noticed, I've been nothing but bad luck since I was born."

He gave up at holding it back. All the emotions from the last few days of gaining her back and realization flowed out of him faster than the speed of light. They were nose to nose now, the boy leaving all inhibition in the sea of his heart.

"Because I love you, Ariadne!"

Her heart picked up speed. Hearing her name leaving his lips, every ounce of her body was on fire. Ariadne never knew he felt that way, and it only made the feeling in her body heighten tenfold.

Ariadne wasted no time in smashing her lips against his. Wether or not they cared, their lips were already bruised from the force. Her hands palmed at his face while they cupped his cheeks furiously, pulling him to her body until they were basically one. His chest was breathing against her chest in a flurry, one that caused the fire to rage furiously in her heart.

Percy's fingers gripped at the skin along her back. Her chest was against his, and one of his hands drifted down to her leg, feeling the slight dios from scars over the years that were seen in her shorts. His heart burned, he needed her closer, to be able to find no secret between them while they fought their emotions.

Their lips mashed and their teeth clashed. His teeth bit into her bottom lip, causing her to gasp before he deepened the kiss, running his tongue along her lips. She tasted like bittersweet feelings and cherry symphonies. She was intoxicating.

The boy walked them backward while they stumbled over against the door to her cabin. Her back hit the wood, stopping them from going any further. Percy was grateful he had locked the door before, knowing he wouldn't be able to contain his need to strangle someone if they had walked in.

His hand hooked beneath her thigh, leading him to hitch her leg to his waist, allowing himself to become pressed farther into her. Ariadne's fingers tugged harshly at his hair. He released a small moan, while she did it again, causing him to curved her body along his while messily kissing her.

Ariadne's made a noise of annoyance when her arms brushed the fabric of his shirt. Percy noticed her unhappiness, he was forced to break the kiss before he stripped his shirt off his torso. Ariadne pulled him back in immediately. Her nails gripped his biceps while the boy skills his other hand underneath her thigh.

She hugged his waist with her legs, heels digging into his back. Percy felt her hands clawing at his neck and back while the boy backed up until he hit the side of her bed. Ariadne pushed into him farther, forcing him onto his back while she hung over him.

Her lips pulled back. The girl admired her boyfriend's handsome face; his sharp jawline riddled with a few scars, the dimples poking at the corner or his bruised and swollen lips, the hungry look in his eyes when her hands interlocked with his, pushing them against the blankets strewn across her bed. She straddled his waist while flicking her eyes toward his chisels chest, the muscles in his arms flexing when he moved.

Ariadne leaned closer as if to kiss him. The leather cord around her neck hung down, the beads swinging in front of his face along with the golden necklace. The boy removed his hands from hers before taking her waist, flipping them over while watching her chest heave at the surprising action, only wearing a sports bra and shorts.

Percy attacked her neck. His lips pressed against her skin, leaving lovebites along her freckles. He pressed his body against hers'. She fought to flip him over again, wanting to run her hands over his stomach, but he held her hands beside her head, caging her in while holding them tightly.

The boy was hungry for her. She tasted sweet on his tongue, like the best truths in the world and pure happiness. Ariadne tilted her head up for him to kiss down her neck. They set each point on fire, urging her for more. Her lips whispered something, causing him to move up, kissing along her jaw.

"Yes?" Percy murmured against her skin, his lips gentle along her jaw while inching toward the point beneath her ear. "What is it, babe?"

"Percy," she whispered, pulling him closer while his lips danced along the freckles dipping down her chest. They stopped and left her body, leaving her cold while he glanced at her, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're enjoying this too much?"

"You're not?" Percy chuckled, causing her Brian to turn to putty. "If only you could see you. Aidan, if I could kiss you until I was blue, I would."

Ariadne pulled him down by his neck. Her hand gripped his throat, pulling him closer, soft lips that felt like satin grazing his own. "Do it."

Percy kissed her like his life depended on it. The feeling of her body curving into his, his lips wanting more and more while his hands flowed up and down her waist while hers' tugged at his back. Percy pulled a bold move. He quickly shifted down, pecking at a freckle along her hip. She shivered.

A groan left her body. She wriggled in his hold, and he grinned against her skin. The boy, only to torture her and watch her squirm, pressed another kiss, accept this one was harder, longer, his teeth pulling at the skin.

Ariadne hissed. It felt good, and he knew that. The boy was enjoying in her groans while she held back the moan clawing up her throat. That satisfaction she refused to give him. He would have to take it from her.

Percy pressed a few more while his fingers dug into her hips, pulling her upward, her back arching while she tilted his head towards her urgently.

Her lips were incredibly needy. Ariadne's legs crossed around his waist, and he was pulled closer, a moan against her lips while she smirked to herself. Now she was getting somewhere. But the boy wasn't giving up. Percy moved a hand before pulling one of the thick straps a few inches from where it had laid, letting it rest farther down her shoulder, still keeping her covered.

There, she couldn't help but moan. Percy bit and nipped at her skin, leaving her body burning at his touch. There would no doubt be marks along her neck and shoulders. She didn't mind, in fact, she wanted more. More proof he loved her, even though she already knew it.

Ariadne was able to get a grip on herself. She used his distraction as a means to gain a footing in their teasing. The girl made herself straddled along his waist, and he grunted.

Her own lips plunged themselves into his neck, forcing a guttural moan from his body while his  calloused fingers tangled themselves roughly in her tight curls. They pulled, forcing her to gasp against his neck, and she nipped at the skin.

She trailed down his chest, kissing dangerously close to his abs. Her fingers traced them, her touch a fluttering feeling, leaving in It's wake a deep desire to feel her kissing them. Ariadne—knowing what it was like to be teased—decided to ignore them, pressing her lips to his again in a coy act.

"I love you," Ariadne murmured against his lips.

Percy knew it. He knew it deep in his soul, the feeling in his bones growing larger while he kissed her more intensely, turning the tension from one of palpable anger to a sweet, tender moment. The boy knew she meant every word she said against him.

And that she did.

Ariadne Phoenix and Percy Jackson were in love.

authors note:

LWT ME GO STEP AWAY FOR A WHILE

PLS I PIT SO MUCH INTO THIS I STARTED BLUSHING AND GETTING ALL HIT AND SWEATY PLEASE JUST IMAGINE PERCY OR ARI DOING THAT TO YOU HENENENENNE

DYING CURRENTLY

Sorry yall

Not with the blood of MOA but I wanted to see some Percaidan angst and some HEATED make out scenes between them

I ain't writing no smut, so this is what you get!

And before people are like: horn dogs, let me remind you—tell me, have you really not met a sixteen year old couple who has gotten into heated makeoits before???? I've met too many and some are my friends which makes me sad because I CANT EXPERIENCE IF MYSELD

so deprived of love I swear—

Hope y'all enjoy

Q: favorite part? I was gonna ask a different question but realized we've got some youngins here and I've most likely scarred them!
A: um, the part where Ariadne told Percy to kiss her until he was out of breath

Love you guys!