Priorities :Reach130's Gift:

He hands her a messily wrapped, rectangular present.

     She takes it, bemused and amused.

     "I know I've completely slacked off in the boyfriend department for the past few months," he says, clearing his sandpapery throat. But I did get you something. So, um, happy Birthday slash Valentines slash Christmas slash whatever else I missed."
     
     Her eyes widen, but she conceals her surprise well. "That wasn't your fault, you know."He can't contradict her, but apologizing still feels necessary.

     Her fingers run along the edges of the parcel, trying to decipher its contence. She analyzes the blue paper intently before carefully undoing the tape. Just rip it already, he wants to scream.

     Finally, (finally, finally, finally) she comes to the middle seam. Her pointer finger slides between the two sheets of paper, slitting the tape. Slowly, she lifts the filmy tissue paper. Her eyes light up when she gazes the cover, and Percy's glad he purchased the right book. After a moment, though, her expression turns somewhat…angry?

     "When did you get this?" she asks, skeptical.

     "Uh, while I was on the quest with Hazel and Frank," he answers.

     "So you were buying me gifts when you were supposed to be unchaining Thanatos."

     "Pretty much, I guess." He pauses, then, "I thought you would like it."

     She sighs, muttering something incomprehensible under her breath. He looks back up at her, and her smile is hard not to notice. "I never said I didn't like it, Seaweed Brain."

     "Oh. Oh, okay," he says, a relieved grin spreading across his face. When Annabeth leans closer to kiss him, he's pretty sure she's laughing.