Work Text:
i.
Percy held his grocery bags awkwardly, shifting to let a lady with a cane pass by. The subways were always crammed on Christmas Eve, and it was just Percy’s luck that he’d been on the most crowded train of the evening. He held his groceries closer, not trusting the man next to him who smelled heavily of weed.
“It’s packed in here, huh?” A woman nudged him lightly.
Percy jumped, not expecting to be interacted with. “Sorry?” I glanced to his left, spotting the woman who’d spoken. She held tightly onto an overhead rail, grinning down at him. Her blonde princess curls were stuffed haphazardly into a green beanie, her cheeks rosie from the cold.
“I said that it’s packed in here.” She frowned. “Are you alright?”
“Er—yeah. It’s just been a long day, you know?” He shrugged. Working long hours as a general practitioner was taxing, but extremely worth it. He loved being able to aid those in need. Each person was like a new puzzle, and it was his job to solve it. If there was one thing that the thirty-year-old doctor loved, it was puzzles.
“I get it,” she rolled her eyes. “Capitalism takes a toll on you.” She cleared her throat, covering a laugh as an elderly man across the train glared at her. “What are you up to tomorrow?”
“Nothing much, I suppose.” Percy swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. Could he trust this woman? What if she was an insane criminal who stalked people on Christmas Eve?
Well…maybe not that. She didn’t exactly look like the serial killer type. Her jawline was soft, smile lines around her mouth and eyes. Oh, her eyes. Her eyes were gorgeous. Swirling grey pools that showed her curiosity, pain, and anger. Her intelligence, her wisdom.
“Sounds fun,” her smile returned. “I’m Annabeth, by the way. Annabeth Chase.”
“Percy Jackson,” he held out his hand, giving in to her infectious energy and casting a small smile.
Annabeth took his hand, shaking firmly. The train lurched to a stop, the wheels squealing underneath them.
“Well, this is my stop.” She sighed. “See you around, Percy.”
ii.
Another cycle around the sun, and here he was again. Percy stood on the subway, just as he did every night on his way home from work. Children were bouncing around, excited for the next morning filled with gifts and family gatherings. Parents wrangled their children, exasperated but smiling anyway. It was less cramped than normal. Maybe more people were taking cabs this year.
Percy looked around, shoving his hands in his pockets. A woman across the train caught his eye, a flash of blonde hair sticking out of her green beanie. Narrowing his eyes, he made sure that he had all of his things in his messenger bag before making his way over to her. Weaving through the children was a task in itself.
He tapped the woman’s shoulder softly, so not as to startle her. Her head whipped around, eyes wide. Instead of the intensity he saw last time, all he could pick apart in her eyes was the sense of brokenness. The puffy rings around her eyes only further proved his theory.
“Hey, I thought that was you!” He said quietly(as quietly as one could on a full train). “You okay?”
Annabeth cleared her throat, wiping her eyes hastily. “Yeah, I’m fine. Percy, right?” He nodded. “It’s great to see you again in person.” She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the edges.
“What do you mean ‘in person’?” Percy asked suspiciously. As much as he liked this woman, he still didn’t exactly know her, and the profession of serial killer wasn’t ruled out quite yet.
“I found your instagram. I’m not stalking you, I swear.” She nudged him softly.
“I'm pretty sure that counts as internet stalking.”
“Nope,” Annabeth laughed gleefully, so far in contrast to her eyes.
“You are a wonderful actress, you know.” Percy chewed on the inside of his cheek. Her eyes flashed momentarily with anger before returning to their saddened state.
“I don't know what you mean, Percy.” She replied stiffly.
“You are upset. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Eyes show you nothing.” Percy knew she was lying even as she said this. “All that ‘window to the soul’ stuff is bullshit.”
“Alright, then.” Percy nodded curtly. “I'm sorry for assuming.”
After a few silent moments, Annabeth spoke. “Now that you know I was (not)internet stalking you, can I follow you on Instagram?”
“As if I'd say no,” he rolled his eyes. “I'll message you…if you do as you say.” He winked, waving goodbye as he turned to exit the train.
iii.
@bethachase: hey, it's me
@pjackson: that's not creepy at all
@bethachase: sorry, doofus
@bethachase: hi, im annabeth chase
@pjackson: hey annabeth
@bethachase: howve you been
@pjackson: fuckn delightful
@pjackson: currently cleaning up child puke lol
@bethachase: oo you have a kid??
@pjackson: is that a deal breaker or smthn
@pjackson: I don't have kids ;)
@pjackson: babysitting my sister
@bethachase: how old is she
@pjackson: twelve and emetophobic
@bethachase: ew same
@pjackson: gotta go but good talking with ya
@bethachase: talk later?
@pjackson: obviously
iv.
The same train, every year. That was the only time he ever saw her. Even with their regular messaging, they hadn't attempted to meet up once.
It seemed that Annabeth wasn’t about to give up on tradition, because on the train home on Christmas eve, he met her for a third time.
“Funny seeing you here,” He snuck up behind her, peeking over her shoulder. He was still in his scrubs, having been in a hurry to get out of the hospital.
Annabeth jolted, spinning around and grabbing ahold of his wrist. She looked up at him angrily for a moment before recognizing him and releasing his wrist. “Don’t sneak up on me like that, damn!” She smacked his chest lightly. “You’re looking…different.”
Percy assumed that she was referring to his slight beard contrasting his normally clean-shaven face. “I haven’t had time to shave in a week, give me a break.”
“It’s not a bad kind of different,” she grinned, tilting her head to the side. Her blonde curls fell over her shoulder. They were longer than they were last year.
Percy smiled down at her, and she smiled back. “You look good.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, subconsciously getting closer to him.
And then…goddamn. Percy always thought that Annabeth was hot, but that was nothing compared to how she felt against his lips.
“Why don’t you get off at my stop tonight?” Annabeth winked as the train stopped, pulling Percy along with her.