Work Text:
Annabeth felt much more flustered now that she was actually taking off her shirt. A week ago, she had said yes to Percy’s suggestion without a second thought, giving just a short glance to the picture he’d been showing her on his phone and forgetting about it a second later. Now though, as she watched him carefully set the paint and pallets onto the bed, she was wishing that she’d more thoroughly looked into the photo. Not that she was backing out, but she didn’t feel as mentally prepared as she could’ve been.
Percy wasn’t facing her, too busy placing down a cup of water with brushes sloshing around inside and a pile of paper towels on the bedside table. She took this opportunity to strip. Her hands slowly darted down to the bottom of her shirt: a graphic tee with Nirvana written on it, one she’d plucked from Percy’s wardrobe a few weeks ago. She curled her fingers around the fabric and raised her arms, pulling the shirt over her head and dropping it beside her. She shivered, already feeling the cold ear settling on her skin.
Her eyes darted back up and she almost flinched at the bright green eyes staring back at her. Percy gave her a once over and Annabeth almost hid herself, embarrassed at her boyfriend so freely checking her nude torso out. It’s not like her and Percy hadn’t been touchy before, it’s just that when they did it tended to be dark and both were likely too busy making out to really get a good look at the other's body underneath all the layers. But now, they were feet apart and the sunlight was shining through the windows, giving the room a warm glow.
Her hand went up to her opposite arm and her shoulders curled in, shying away at the attention her boyfriend was giving her. But Percy, oblivious to her inner turmoil, just smirked and inched closer, placing a warm hand on her waist. And without the thin surface of a shirt, the touch felt much more intimate.
“Are you ready?” He asked in a low tone, practically whispering the words. Annabeth didn’t trust her voice so she just nodded. Percy gave her a reassuring smile and nodded to the bed. “Go lay down.”
With nothing to say, Annabeth stepped to the edge, raising one knee onto the soft plush of the mattress, careful of not jostling the tubes of paint there. Percy had laid out a pillow for her to lay on so it’d be more comfortable while he’d be doing his work. Flipping her long locs over her shoulder so they wouldn’t obscure her back, she settled down on her stomach, bringing her arms to sit crossed in front of her.
Percy had left the room while she was making herself acquainted with the position, now coming back with a towel and book in head. The book, Wuthering Heights, was one she’d been trying to get through for a few weeks now, but never had the chance to sit down and read a good portion of. He placed it in front of her and brought the towel to where the palettes were laying.
After he looked over his supplies, checking if he had everything, he swung his leg onto the bed and placed both knees on each side of Annabeth's body. Then, he lowered himself down on her legs, his pelvis sitting right up against Annabeth’s rear. Annabeth blushed profusely at the position, and Percy running her hands over her back didn’t help whatsoever.
The boy caressed her lower side, brushing the smooth umbre skin underneath his fingertips. He traced little shapes with feather light touches, bringing his hand up to the back of her neck and causing the hairs on Annabeth’s arm to stick up. The girl underneath him was stiff and rigid, her shoulders bunched up to her ears.
The boy behind her brought his head down and kissed her neck, both his hands now stroking her sides. He slightly tipped his head and whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful.”
God, this boy would be the end of her.
To stop any embarrassing sound from escaping her, she stuffed her head into her arms and ignored him. She heard an exhale of breath and just knew that he was smiling behind her back.
Seeming to finally be done with teasing her, Percy sat straight and plucked a paintbrush from the water filled cup. He squirted paint onto the pallet and dipped the brush in the bright colour, bringing it to Annabeth's back. The brush was lightly brought down on her skin, covering the rich brown skin in a stark blue.
When the cold, wet paint touched her, Annabeth resisted throwing Percy off of her and running to the tub to wash it off. Instead, she braced her hands against her arms and bit her cheek, letting Percy continue his ministrations. Soon enough, she began to relax, not flinching when the bristles were brought down again.
She picked up her book and paged through it, finding where she’d last left off. Both her and Percy stayed in silence, her concentrating on deciphering the words in front of her and Percy concentrating on his painting.
As the paint was drying, she felt a weird, tingly feeling on her back, as if she was slowly being encased in cement. She stopped herself from trying to wiggle free though, not wanting the chip the colour off.
The quietness started to make her drowsy and when she had to read the same paragraph three times to understand the meaning, she decided to just put the book down. She rested her head on the back of her hands, looking to the side. Percy’s rhythmic breaths were beginning to make her eyelid heavy and her breaths began to even out. Slowly, she began to fall asleep, the sun illuminating her face in a yellow glow.
Annabeth woke up to light breaths on her neck. Percy was leaning in close, focusing on small details around her nape. She let out a shallow breath, feeling weird at the fine brush strokes on her. She rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn. From where she was laying down, she could tell it was sunset from the shades of orange peaking into the bedroom.
Percy let a small chuckle behind her, caressing her hips softly. “Don’t worry, I’m almost finished.” He reassured. Annnabeth nodded against the mattress, her body starting to get sore from being the same position for so long. She was itching to stretch her limbs.
With a few more dabs, Percy lifted his paintbrush and sat back, admiring his work. “Done!” He smiled, getting off of Annabeth and drying his brushes with the towel he’d brought earlier. The girl rose to her elbows and sat back, making sure not to roll to the side in case of ruining the art piece on her. Percy grabbed onto her hand and helped her up, bringing her to the dresser mirror they had in their room. He gave Annabeth a small hand held mirror and she held it up, looking into the reflection to see what had been drawn on her.
Her eyes widened in awe as they always did when she was given the opportunity to lay eyes on Percy’s artwork. On her back, depicted in splashes of blue and green and red, was a square or what looked like water, and a few koi fish swimming around. The red and white contrasted with the body of water they were in and the whole painting itself popped against Annabeth’s dark skin. It spanned across her back, just barely wrapping around to the front. The top tapered up her neck with small white dots as bubbles sprayed everywhere.
Annabeth’s finger dipped back over her shoulder and lightly touched the edge of the paint, her fingertips smoothing against the thin ragged texture. “It’s gorgeous,” she whispered, mesmerised at the strokes of the brush that swirled over her.
Percy shrugged, pushing his hands into his sweatpant pockets. “It could use some work.”
Annabeth shook her head, stepping forward and bringing her arms around Percy’s neck. “Don’t try so hard on being humble.” She leaned on her tiptoes and kissed him, effectively shutting up any protest that was going to fall out of his pretty lips “It is beautiful.”
Percy smiled and locked his hands around her waist, gently rocking them both side to side. “Well there's something far more beautiful in this room.” He said, eyeing her.
Annabeth snorted. “That’s so corny.”
He just laughed and brought her back in for a kiss. “I think we should do this more often, how about the thighs, or your stomach.”
“How about we go eat? I’m tired and hungry and stiff.”
Percy made his way to the door, calling over his shoulder, “I’ll make some sliders if you keep your shirt off.”
Annabeth rolled her eyes, glancing once more at the mirror before following Percy in the kitchen.