[Third Person Pov]
After exiting the artificial space, Annabeth and Lucian made no effort to linger amid the devastation Agares had left behind. The air still carried the faint residue of his presence, cracked pavement, shattered glass, and warped metal littered the area like scars carved into the world. Yet neither of them spared it more than a passing glance. Instead, they walked forward together, side by side, stepping out into the living, breathing streets of London.
The city moved on as it always did. Cars passed by, their headlights streaking across the dim evening. Streetlamps hummed softly overhead, casting warm amber pools of light onto the pavement. People talked, laughed, and carried on with their lives after the earthquake they experienced, blissfully unaware of the battle that had unfolded just beyond their perception.
They walked to wash away the lingering taint of Agares' influence. Annabeth glanced at Lucian from the corner of her eye, he was quiet.
Far too quiet.
It was strange—unnerving, even—to see him like this. Lucian was never silent for long. He was always talking, teasing, laughing, or filling the air with his easygoing confidence. His presence was vibrant, alive. But now, he walked beside her with his hands tucked into his pockets, his shoulders slightly slouched, his expression distant.
Together they crossed the street, their footsteps echoing faintly against the asphalt. Annabeth slowed slightly, her gaze settling fully on him now. His usual carefree demeanor was gone, replaced with something softer. Something more fragile.
Seeing him like that stirred a strange sensation in her chest.
An urge to comfort him, to pamper him, to spoil him until that distant look vanished and his usual smile returned.
Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she finally spoke, her voice soft and warm. "Are you that upset about your loss against Agares?"
Lucian blinked, as if pulled from his thoughts. He turned his head toward her, confusion flickering across his face. "Huh?"
He shook his head almost immediately. "No, of course not," he said firmly, though without any defensiveness. "Being defeated would never truly upset me."
His lips lifted slightly, and a faint spark of life returned to his eyes. "In fact… I'm more glad than ever. Agares really opened my eyes. There are still a ton of powerful opponents out there—people who can push me further, force me to grow, force me to evolve. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Annabeth let out a quiet chuckle.
Yes.
That sounded exactly like her Lucian.
He was silent for a moment after that, his gaze drifting upward toward the streetlights.
Then, almost to himself, he spoke again.
"There's no shame in defeat," he murmured. "Shame only comes when you learn nothing from it."
Annabeth blinked in surprise.
Then she covered her mouth with her dainty hand as laughter bubbled out of her. "Hehehe… you really do have a way with words."
She leaned closer to him, her shoulder brushing his arm, and reached up to poke his cheek with her finger while holding onto his arm possessively. "So," she said teasingly, tilting her head, "if your battle with Agares isn't the reason you're upset, then why the frown?"
Lucian's faint smile faltered.
He looked down.
For a moment, he didn't answer.
Annabeth could practically imagine a pair of invisible dog ears drooping over his head, his entire presence radiating quiet disappointment.
"Our date was ruined," he admitted softly.
Annabeth froze, an imaginary arrow pierced straight through her heart. "Ugh—!"
She clutched her chest dramatically, staggering slightly as if physically struck.
"You're so adorable I'm not sure I can survive this," she groaned theatrically.
Lucian rolled his eyes, though the faintest hint of amusement returned to his expression.
"No, seriously," Annabeth continued, placing the back of her hand against her forehead. "Your sweetness is raising my sugar levels. I might get diagnosed with diabetes one of these days because of you."
"Ughhh," Lucian groaned, throwing his head back in exaggerated suffering.
Annabeth laughed brightly, the sound light and melodic. After a moment, her laughter softened, her expression turning gentler, warmer.
"Lucian."
"Mm?"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"You already did."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Can I ask you another question?"
"You did again."
"Lucian."
"Sorry, sorry," he said with a quiet laugh. "Go ahead."
She hesitated briefly, gathering her thoughts, "Why did you invite me out on a date?"
Lucian's laughter faded, he turned his head toward her, studying her face. She met his gaze without hesitation, her eyes filled with quiet curiosity.
"What?" he said lightly. "I suddenly can't invite my girlfriend out and spend time with her?"
Annabeth smiled, clearly pleased by the words, but she still rolled her eyes and squeezed his bicep firmly, "I'm not saying you can't," she replied. "And I do appreciate it." Her expression shifted, her gaze sharpened.
"But I'm not stupid, you know." She looked directly into his eyes now, searching him.
"I can tell you had an ulterior motive when you invited me out. You might fool everyone else…" Her grip on his arm tightened slightly. "But you can't fool me."
Lucian let out a quiet, lazy laugh, though there was a hint of nervousness beneath it. He ran his hand through his hair, pushing the strands back into place as he sighed in surrender. "Fine, fine," he admitted. "You got me."
Annabeth said nothing.
She simply stared at him expectantly, patiently waiting.
Lucian glanced at her, then away again.
Slowly, he pulled his arm free from her grasp—but only so he could wrap it around her shoulders instead, drawing her closer to his side as they continued walking beneath the glow of the streetlights.
He looked down at her, his expression soft, knowing. "Just like you know me so well…" he murmured, a faint smile tugged at his lips, "I know you just as well, Tinkerbell."
Annabeth smiled softly at the affectionate nickname, warmth blooming in her chest at the way he said it. She didn't interrupt him. She didn't need to.
Lucian's expression grew gentler, his usual teasing edge fading into something far more vulnerable. "Just like Thalia," he began quietly, "I know my supposed death affected you too."
Annabeth's breath hitched almost imperceptibly.
"You're just better at hiding it," he continued, his voice calm but certain. "Or maybe… you've been trying to convince yourself that it didn't affect you. That it doesn't matter anymore because I came back so quickly."
His arm shifted around her shoulders, tightening slightly. The movement wasn't forceful, but it was firm enough to guide her closer, to make her lift her head and meet his gaze.
Ruby eyes met cloudy grey.
He stared directly into her, seeing straight through every wall she'd built. "I'll return what you told me earlier," Lucian said quietly. "'You might fool everyone else… But you can't fool me.'"
Annabeth's lips parted faintly, but no words came out.
"So," he continued, his voice softening further, "I figured we should go out on a date."
He gave a faint, almost shy smile. "Not to distract you," he clarified gently. "But to remind you that I'm not going anywhere. That I'll be beside you… forever and always."
Before she could respond, he leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head.
The gesture was simple.
But it shattered her composure completely. Annabeth froze, her face instantly flushing a deep crimson. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs, and butterflies erupted wildly in her stomach. A thousand emotions surged through her all at once—relief, love, possessiveness, longing.
She tried to look at him.
She really did.
But the sight of his face—his soft, loving eyes, his gentle smile, his unwavering presence—was too much. She turned her head away quickly, overwhelmed. "So unfair…" she muttered under her breath.
Lucian blinked in confusion. Before he could ask what she meant, Annabeth suddenly grabbed his hands, "Come with me." Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Lucian raised an eyebrow but allowed himself to be led, curiosity flickering in his eyes as she guided him toward a narrow alleyway between two quiet establishments. The sounds of the city grew dimmer there, the space secluded, intimate.
"Wha—" He didn't get the chance to finish.
Annabeth suddenly spun on her heel and threw herself into him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his torso, pulling him into a fierce, desperate embrace. The force of it pushed him back against the wall, his breath leaving him in a quiet gasp.
Her face pressed against his chest, clinging to him as if she feared he might disappear if she let go. "Lucian," she whispered.
She lifted her head slowly.
Lucian froze.
Her eyes were different.
They burned with intensity—love, obsession, relief, and something deeply possessive. She looked at him like he was the only thing in her world.
"I think…" she said softly, her voice trembling, "I think I might be seriously obsessed with you." Her fingers tightened in his clothes. "You're driving me insane."
Lucian swallowed, a nervous chuckle escaping him. "You think?" he replied sarcastically, though a faint shiver ran down his spine under the weight of her gaze.
"Okay, fine," she admitted immediately. "I totally am."
She leaned into him again, her voice soft and dreamy. "I want to lock you away… keep you somewhere no one else can see you. Somewhere you'd belong only to me."
Lucian blinked and quietly swallowed.
"Preferably a cage," she continued wistfully. "Or chains. Somewhere you could never escape. My prisoner forever."
Lucian glanced around nervously for an escape route "Okay… now you're scaring me."
Annabeth suddenly giggled, the dark intensity vanishing behind an innocent, playful smile. She looked up at him with wide doe eyes, batting her lashes. "Hehehe… relax. I was joking."
Lucian stared at her flatly. "No you weren't."
She tilted her head, smiling mysteriously
"Who knows?"
"I do," Lucian replied dryly. "You were being one hundred percent sincere."
She didn't deny it.
She simply rolled her eyes, pretending to be annoyed.
Then, without warning, she reached up and grabbed the back of his head. "Just shut up and kiss me already," she sighed.
Lucian smirked faintly. "With pleasure," he murmured. "But I'm seriously going to keep an eye on you."
He leaned down, and their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss.
It was tender at first.
Then warmer.
They pulled back slightly, both smiling, then leaned in again. Their laughter mixed between kisses, quiet and breathless, their foreheads brushing together. In that small alleyway, beneath the dim glow of distant streetlights, the rest of the world faded away.
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