The grin she gets back is a little goofy, which has nothing to do with Asti and everything to do with the warmth that bubbles up in Percy's chest every time she smiles like that.

There are other feelings that seem to battle for space in his ribcage these days, but for the time being they seem to be dormant. He appreciates whatever peace he can get, all the more precious because it happens to infrequently these days.

Percy tugs on Annabeth's hand, pulling her into a walk. They head vaguely in the direction of the edge, but he's not in any hurry right now. They have the whole day. "You know what's weird?" It's related to what she said, really. Sort of. "That one day Bobby and all the others are going to be like this. Big. Huge. And wise. They're just kids now, you know?"