The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air as Percy Jackson sat on the edge of the dock, his feet dangling over the water. Annabeth Chase sat beside him, her golden hair glowing in the fading sunlight. They’d come to the camp lake to escape the noise and bustle of Camp Half-Blood for a while, just the two of them.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Annabeth said, nudging him with her shoulder. Her stormy gray eyes studied him carefully. “What’s on your mind, Seaweed Brain?”

Percy glanced at her, a lopsided smile tugging at his lips. “Just thinking about how I got so lucky,” he said, his voice softer than usual.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “That’s the best you’ve got? I thought you were supposed to be the witty one in this relationship.”

“I’m serious!” Percy protested, his grin widening. “I mean, out of all the places I could have ended up, I met you. And somehow, you haven’t murdered me for all the dumb things I say.”

Annabeth rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her gaze. “It’s a close call every day,” she teased. Then, after a moment, she added, “But I guess I got pretty lucky too.”

Percy’s heart swelled at her words. He reached out, taking her hand in his. “Even if the world’s always throwing monsters and quests our way, as long as we’re together, I’ll take it.”

Annabeth squeezed his hand, a rare, genuine smile lighting up her face. “Deal, Seaweed Brain.”

For a moment, there was no prophecy, no danger, no looming battles—just Percy and Annabeth, sitting on the dock, holding hands as the sun dipped below the horizon.