Things at the apartment had been awkward for some time now. Annabeth knew it was her fault. She couldn’t exactly blame Aphrodite for everything, no matter how much she wanted to. She stared at the marble statue which had been moved to a corner in her bedroom, in perfect eye-line to her study desk. She moved it there from the mantle rather than smash it, so she always had a reminder of all the harm she did. Percy came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing her neck gently. He didn’t have to ask what she was thinking about, she’d been staring at that statue for almost an hour. They were both concerned about Piper. She hadn’t been herself since they removed her mothers enchantment. She’d been avoiding them for weeks, eating in silence, hiding out in her room. She made more visits to their friends over the last few days, some nights staying over. Annabeth didn’t want to push her to talk. She was afraid of what she might say. She was afraid she was still mad at her for how she abused the power Aphrodite shared with her and Percy. She wouldn’t blame her, she was ashamed of herself.
After a moment of silence Percy pulled up a chair and took Annabeth’s hand. “I think you need to talk to Piper” he said.
“She doesn’t want to talk to me” she replied, a logical deduction.
Percy sighed. It pained him to see these two best friends like this. “You need to sort this out. You can’t keep avoiding this forever.”
“After what I did, I deserve it” she pouted, wiping her cheek. She looked at him asking “I don’t know how you are able to look at me after what I’ve done.”
“If we broke up after every mistake, I would’ve lost you years ago” he said. He squeezed her hand, promising “and and Piper will fix things. I’m sure of it.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know how. Things got so bad…I wouldn’t talk to me either. If she needs space, then I won’t push it” she decided, turning back to her desk.
Percy rapped his fingers on her desk, cautiously informing her “she may be getting more space than we think. I’ve been talking to Leo and Thalia…she’s thinking about moving out.”
Annabeth blinked in shock, her gut clenching as she let that thought sink in. “Oh” she whispered, her heart sinking deeper. “I guess that’s it then” she muttered.
Percy shook his head. “It doesn’t have to be. If you talk to her, maybe you can change her mind.”
“If you’re worried, why don’t you talk to her?”
“I’ve tried” he said sadly. “She…she said she’s thinking about moving back to camp Half-blood, back to Cabin 10.”
“For how long?”
“She didn’t say. Annie, I know things are awkward right now” he said, gently pulling her around so he could face her. “But if you don’t at least talk to her, you might never get the chance to make things right.”
“What if I make things worse?” She asked fearfully. “I don’t want to drive her away.”
He stroked her cheek, pressing his forehead against hers. “I know. But you have to at least try. You’ll regret it if you don’t. Your friendship might count on it.” Annabeth swallowed a gulp as she hesitantly looked up at him. He was right, she would hate herself if she didn’t. She hesitantly drew a deep breath, asking where Piper was now. “In the living room, reading. Do you want me to come with you?”
She shook her head. “No, I need to do this alone” she said. She gently kissed his cheek, appreciating the offer, before slowly rising to her feet to approach her bedroom door. Percy waited in their room as Annabeth nervously stepped out into the apartment to confront her fears.
Piper was sitting in the armchair with her legs pulled up underneath her, the book on her lap, scanning the pages silently listening to music. Annabeth hesitated by the hallway, nervously fidgeting behind her before bravely stepping forward. “Hey, Pipes? Can we talk?”
Piper looked up in surprise, pulling her headphones from her ears. “Oh, hey. Okay” she replied quietly, adjusting her seat as Annabeth sat down on the sofa beside her.
They sat in awkward silence for a moment before Annabeth nervously expressed “Percy told me that you…you might be moving out.” Piper lowered her gaze, shifting uncomfortably as she closed her book. Annabeth wrung her hands, shuffling in her seat looking at her friend apologetically. “Pipes, I’m sorry if I’ve…I didn’t mean to hurt you, or Percy, or anyone. I can’t excuse the way I acted when I had that charm-speak. What I did was…it was beyond awful. You must think I’m a terrible person. I’m so sorry.”
Piper averted her eyes from the blonde girl, her kaleidoscope eyes fixed to her lap. Annabeth could see the hurt on her expression, her silence suffocating. But after a moment the brunette quietly told her “I don’t think you’re a terrible person.”
Annabeth took a deep breath. Good, Piper’s willing to talk to me. “What I did was still awful. I get it if you can’t forgive me. I just…if you’re moving out because of me… if you’re still mad at me…”
“It’s not that” she said, glancing up at her sadly. “It’s not that Annie. I already forgive you.” Annabeth blinked in surprise, staring at her in curious confusion. Piper shifted in her seat again, putting the book on the coffee table, still unable to lock her gaze with her. “I’m not mad. I’ve seen the power trips my mom’s gift can send people down. But I’ve…never seen them make people paranoid before” she said.
Annabeth furrowed her brow in confusion. What does that mean? Then she recalled their fight and felt her gut tighten. Oh gods… “Pipes, I didn’t mean what I said” she told her.
She saw a tear roll down Pipers cheek as the girl released a shaky breath. “I know, but…I can’t stop wondering if that idea came from somewhere. Like if deep down you thought I was…” she wiped her cheek and swallowed the doubts she’d been harboring for weeks. Ever since that fight with Annabeth she wondered how much of her jealous paranoia was a reflection of her real feelings. Was Annie really afraid I would try and turn Percy against her. She finally looked up at Annabeth, holding back the emotions as she explained “when I broke up with Jason, I didn’t plan to move on with anyone else. You and Percy were there for me though, your support was everything I needed. But I did keep coming round yours to…you know, because we started…gods” she sighed, covering her face in shame. “I didn’t keep coming around to yours for sex. I kept if coming around because I didn’t want to stay in that flat by myself. The flat Jason and I rented together. It was too hard. Then you and Percy let me stay and yours. Then we moved here. I didn’t plan it but I was happy, with both of you. There was no plan, no scheme to…" she fixed her eyes on Annabeth, promising her “I was never trying to steal your boyfriend. You’re my best friend, I would never do that. You two are perfect for each other, Percy loves you, I wouldn’t…couldn’t bare it if I ruined it for you.”
Annabeth listened and broke into tears, realizing how much danger their fight had truly done. Her spiteful words had made Piper doubt her place with them, as friends, as roommates, their whole relationship. “I know you wouldn’t” she whispered.
“I know you were lashing out, that you weren’t thinking clearly, that you weren’t yourself. But I couldn’t sake this feeling in my gut that…that there was a part of you that wondered if me being here threatened your relationship with Percy. I never meant to cause trouble, and the idea of hurting you in that way…” she looked back down to her lap, her voice shaking as she told her “I thought it’d be easier to move somewhere else, give you and Percy some space. I didn’t want to cause anymore trouble.
“You haven’t” Annabeth said, leaping from the sofa to kneel beside Piper grabbing her arm. She looked up at her apologetically saying “you haven’t. I shouldn’t have said those things to you, I’m sorry. I never once thought you were a danger to me and Percy. We love you Piper. We’ve loved having you with us. This is your home too. You’re a part of our family, our relationship now. I’m sorry if I made you doubt that.” Annabeth squeezed her arm, tears falling down her cheeks, feeling like this was all her fault. She took a slow breath and quietly told her “we don’t want you to leave.”
Piper hesitantly turned her head to look down at the blond girl, her own tears streaming down her face. She felt Annabeth’s remorse, her emphatic abilities sensing the love she was projecting. Piper broke down. “I don’t want to leave” she confessed.
Annabeth sobbed, unable to stop herself as she locked eyes with her best friend. “I’m so sorry Pipes. For everything. Can you forgive me?” Piper nodded, slipping from the armchair to wrap her arms around her. Annabeth and Piper hugged each other tightly in an emotional display of relief and joy. They held each other and stared into their eyes. “I love you Pipes” Annabeth whispered.
“I love you too Annie” Piper replied, relieved to have her best friend back. The two shared a kiss and a hug, making up on the living room floor.
It was around this time Percy poked his head out to check on them, grateful to see them hugging on the floor, reading their body language deducing it was good news. “You two okay now?” He asked cautiously, hovering nearby as the girls dried their tears. They nodded in unison. “So we all friends again?” He asked optimistically.
“No” Annabeth answered with a proud smile. “We’re family” she said, taking hold of Piper’s face and pulling her into a passionate kiss. Piper kissed her back gratefully. Percy grinned, glad to see they’d worked it out. After a few beats Annabeth saw Percy was still hovering and rolled her eyes. “Get over here Seaweed Brain!” She called, ushering her boyfriend to join in and embrace the pair of them.
The three of them sat on the floor, taking turns making out reestablishing their relationship. They hadn’t done this with each other since their big fight, so it felt good to reconnect on an emotional level. Piper was a little hesitant to kiss Percy in front of Annabeth at first, a small pant of doubt lingering in the back of her mind. But when Annabeth encouraged her by joining in a three way kiss, those doubts finally evaporated letting her embrace them both equally. And they welcomed her into their arms and made sure she felt loved and at home.
The kiss heated up and got steamy as the pair of them coaxed the Cherokee girl out of her clothes, peeling her top over her head before dragging her shorts down her legs. She exhaled shallowly as Percy and Annabeth caressed her flesh, their lips kissing her skin from her neck down. She felt goosebumps all over her as they drifted down to her breast, unhooking her bra and discarding it, each taking a nipple into her mouth. She could stop the moan escaping her mouth, or the gasp when she felt Percy’s hand cup her undercarriage. She licked her lips and gently pushed them away, locking her eyes on them both before quietly whispering “allow me”.
Both demigods felt their bodies relax as they reclined against the sofa, Piper’s subtle use of charmspeak allowing her to crawl forward and run her hands down both of them. Annabeth felt like she should be the one pleasing her, but Piper deftly helped her out of her jeans and underwear, eager to make up for giving her the cold shoulder. She also undid Percy’s pants too, releasing his erection, using both hands to cup his balls and Annabeth’s pussy. Both her lovers closed their eyes as Piper pleasured them both at the same time, her lips switching from one to the other starting at their mouths, moving to their necks, then to their stomaches before dropping to the floor and alternating between licking their privates. They moaned softly, watching her as she switched from sucking Percy’s cock like a lollipop to licking Annabeth’s pussy like an ice-lolly. Percy put his arm around Annabeth, looking at her as she stroked Piper’s hair affectionately. “I’m glad to see you two worked things out” he whispering, kissing his girlfriend on the cheek. She grinned, sharing the sentiment as she helped her in stroking Percy’s dick, kissing her boyfriend in return.
Piper looked up at them, her blushing smile showing her adoration as she switched back to Percy’s cock, massaging his balls while she fingered Annabeth with her other hand. When she felt him about to cum he reached down and cupped her chin, lifting her off denying himself an orgasm so she could top Annabeth off instead. Piper was reluctant to leave him hanging, but she complied with his nonverbal request and devoured Annabeth until she was climaxing all over her. She took the blonde’s breath away, prompting her to pull her up into a passionate kiss to thank her. Percy watched them make out, gently kissing Piper’s shoulder as he undressed himself. Piper turned around when she felt Percy stroking her back, rising to her knees to make out with him next so Annabeth could remove her clothes.
Soon she was sandwiched between the pair, Annabeth feeling up her back while Percy caressed her front. She hadn’t realized they were planning something until she found herself being lowered against Annabeth’s chest as the young man removed the last of her underwear. The naked demigod fell against Annabeth’s comfortable frame watching the handsome boy admire her before spreading her thighs. She trembled in anticipation as he dropped down between her welcoming thighs, mouth connecting with her delicate pussy making her moan. She twisted her neck to look at Annabeth, making sure this was okay, some doubt lingering in her mind. Annabeth stroked her head soothingly, lifting her face to kiss her lips, assuring her they both wanted her to feel wonderful. Piper closed her eyes and indulged in the pleasure engulfing her body, feeling Annabeth’s breasts pressed against her back as Percy’s tongue explored her folds. She swooned when the young man brought her to a toe curling orgasm, her knees folding around his head as she climaxed clutching his hair. Annabeth eased her through her orgasm, massaging her chest and neck as she watched her man make love to her best friend. Percy rose up from Piper’s legs to kiss along her chest and up to her lips, positioning himself to align his cock with her entrance. They locked gazes with each other as he slid inside of her, their bodies becoming one and feeling very at home with each other. Piper blushed as she got giddy from having Percy inside her, looking at Annabeth as the girl leaned in to kiss her and her boyfriend. She didn’t need to give them permission.
Percy made love to Piper passionately, rocking against the girl gently as she reclined against his girlfriend, the two of them making out while they watched the Cherokee girl give herself over to her desires and wrap her legs around him, moaning lustfully as she watched her friends kiss. The three of them reconnected on an emotional level that they all feared they’d never return to, and it was wonderful.
The three of them finished on the floor with a blanket draped over their naked bodies, their arms tangled together hugging each other. Piper was nestled in between Percy and Annabeth, her head resting on Percy’s shoulder with Annabeth’s arm wrapped around her, her hand cupping her breast. She smiled in content, her fingers absently drawing shapes on Percy’s chest. “I’ve missed this” she said softly.
She felt Annabeth’s warm breath against her ear, her cheek nuzzling against her neck. “We’ve missed you too” she replied, kissing her soft flesh pressing herself against her back.
Percy echoed the sentiment, stroking Piper’s cheek before rubbing her arm gently. “We’re you really planning to move back to Camp Halfblood?” He asked.
She shrugged. “It felt like the logical place to go. I figured I could help some of the new kids while also continuing tutoring Nico.”
Annabeth lifted her head curiously. “What are you tutoring Nico for?”
The daughter of Aphrodite and Son of Poseidon shared a quick glance, where Percy’s eyes conveyed his wish for discretion, leading to the girl quietly chuckling replying “it doesn’t matter. I almost considered taking Thalia up on her original offer to join the hunters” she confessed. “But then I decided I didn’t want to commit to something so permanent.”
“They would’ve been lucky to have you” Percy mused.
“Leo offered to let me stay for a while, though I think he was hoping he would get a friends with benefits deal” she noted.
“I’m sure Calypso would’ve loved that” Annabeth laughed, squeezing her protectively. “I’m glad you chose to stay.”
“Me too” Percy agreed, kissing Piper on the forehead.
“So am I” she agreed, kissing them both on the shoulder and the hand respectfully. She let out a wistful sigh before nervously asking them “is it okay if I slept in your bed tonight?”
The couple looked at each other and grinned, telling her she could sleep with them for as long as she wanted.
She ended up going to bed with them for the next few weeks, feeling more comfortable with them to wake up to each morning. Most nights they didn’t even have sex, content to just climb into bed and snuggle together. And the nights they did make love it was intimate and wonderful, falling asleep in each others arms. Sometimes they didn’t get as far as the threesomes, one of them getting to bed late to find the other two either already making out or already asleep. Piper often slipped under the duvet while Percy was making love to his girlfriend, happy to watch and then snuggle with them afterward. Once it was just Percy and Piper, which made the girl hesitate briefly until Percy assured her one last time everything would be fine. The last of her needling worries were quashed after a few solo evenings with Annabeth, to two of them making up for lost time as they let themselves get reacquainted permanently. Percy found them one evening spark asleep together, Annabeth snuggled against Piper’s breast, both purring soundly embracing each other. They looked so adorable he took great care to climb into bed and not disturb them, giving them both the most delicate of kisses on the cheek before settling in next to them. He spent a few minutes just watching them sleep before he dozed off, happy to see them best friends again.
After a few more days Piper woke up before the others, rubbing her eyes of sleep before carefully sitting up in bed, carefully unhooking Percy’s arm from her waist as she slipped out of bed. She turned to look at her companions, smiling fondly as Annabeth stirred against her boyfriend momentarily before resuming her delicate snoring. She crept out of the bedroom barefoot, stifling a yawn as the early morning sun crept through the curtains. She ran a hand through her tangled hair as she entered the kitchen to make herself some breakfast in her comfy pajamas. She brew a pot of coffee as she made herself some toast, humming happily to herself.
“Any chance you could make me a cup too?” Percy asked as he walked up behind her, greeting her with a warm embrace as he put his hands around her waist.
She nodded and smiled, leaning against his chest greeting him warmly, stroking his arms as they waited for the coffee to brew. While she poured them a cup she quietly informed him “I think it’s time I moved out.”
Percy hugged her a little tighter as he blinked in surprise. He didn’t say anything at first, waiting until she gently pried herself from his embrace to pass him his coffee. He took it, fixing his sea green eyes on her. “Okay” he said, his voice conversing his disappointment. “You know we love you. Whatever you decide, we’ll support you. I just want you to know you’ll always have a home with us” he promised, squeezing her shoulder.
Piper furrowed her brow at how sad he looked until she broke into a laugh. “Oh, that…that’s sweet Percy, thank you” she said, pecking him on the lips. “But I meant moving out of your bed and back into my room” she clarified, giggling at how flushed his face turned. “I thought it was time we try and get things back to normal, get my own space, give you and Annabeth some of your space back…”
“Right, of course, yeah that makes sense” he stammered rather embarrassingly. He stepped back and circled the island counter, putting his coffee down worried he might accidentally drop it. Once he’d composed himself he turned back and smiled. “That’s good. That means you’re definitely staying with us then?”
“Of course I am, seaweed brain” she laughed. “You’re my family. I’m not going anywhere.” He smiled, glad to hear it. She bit her bottom lip, adding “thank you though, for saying that. If the day comes I do move out, I’m glad you’ll be there to support me.”
“Of course we would. As long as you’re happy” he promised.
Piper blushed, putting her drink down and circling the island to put her arms around him. “And thank you for being there for us, Annie and me, after what happened. I can’t have been easy for you either.”
“What do you mean?”
“Mom’s gift affected all of us. Annabeth might’ve lost her way, but you were just as much a victim too. I don’t know how you managed to cope while taking care of both of us.”
He shrugged modestly. “You and Annabeth are my family. You come first.”
She appreciated the sentiment, stroking his cheek gently. “You deserve to come first too. If you need anything, we’re here for you Percy.”
“I know you are” he smiled, kissing her hand. “Thank you, but I’m fine. Believe or not, Annabeth already made it up to me and then some.”
“Good. Though I feel like I should make it up to you too” she whispered, looping her arms around his neck.
“You don’t need to” he assured her, kissing her lips gently. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t say no either” he added playfully. She giggled, kissing the young man. “It’s going to be weird not being able to boss you two around anymore though” he muttered absently.
“You can still boss us around” she said teasingly. “It’ll just have to be a request rather than an order.” She looked at him, asking him in a more serious tone “you don’t regret giving the gift back, do you?”
He took a moment to think about it. He hadn’t considered how much of an adjustment it was not having charm-speak now he didn’t have it. He still found himself checking his phrasing when he asked someone to do something now. “No, I don’t” he told her honestly. “The truth is, if Annabeth hadn’t been the one to lose control, it could’ve easily been me on that power trip. I’m sorry you had to step in for either of us.”
“It was my power, my responsibility. I never meant for either of you to get hurt. Do you think everyone else will forgive us?”
“I’m sure they understand. We’re demigods after all. We’re used to weird” Percy joked. He hid a grimace from Piper however, some of the memories involving his mother still making him shudder. “The important thing is we’ll work through it together, you me and Annabeth. Okay?”
She nodded, feeling much better how they’d talked and made up. Percy gently drew Piper into another kiss, sensing she needed it. She kissed him passionately, melting into his arms before pulling reluctantly away. “Enough of that for a while. Meant to be remaking boundaries, space” she muttered, finishing her coffee. “I’m going for a shower. Don’t follow me” she told him.
“Is that a request or an order?” Percy joked.
Piper gave him a look as she strode to the bathroom, swaying her hips a little when she felt his gaze on her ass. He finished his coffee as he watched her disappear, his gaze falling to the bedroom door realizing Annabeth was standing there watching them silently. “You’re a good man Percy Jackson” she said when he came to check on her, robe falling around her elbows. “I don’t know how you can still put up with me after what I did.”
“I’ve made my share of mistakes” he reminded her. “Like I said, we’ll get through it together, the three of us.” He kissed her forehead, hugging her tightly, promising to be there for her.
After a moment Annabeth curiously asked him “does that mean you’ve forgiven me for everything. Really? Even with Sally?”
Percy sure asked another shudder, lifting her chin. “I forgive you. I love you” he whispered, kissing her. After a moment of intimate silence he took on a more mischievous smirk. “That being said, I suppose you should be punished in some way.”
Annabeth felt her mouth curl into a playful smile. “I did do a lot of bad things” she said. “What kind of punishment did you have in mind?”
Percy took her hand, guiding her back into their bedroom. “I think I remember where you keep your strap-on Wise girl. Maybe we should start with a taste of your own medicine” he suggested.
Annabeth shivered in anticipation as he closed the door, knowing she deserved any punishment he would suggest.
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