Annabeth might have approached the subject of the mothers casually, but the mere mention made Percy's mouth narrow into an even tighter frown. He had never much cared for gossip about himself (after all he'd done nothing in life to actually deserve it) but to know that it was impacting Annabeth made him worry. Perhaps he should have listened to Annabeth and Cat after all. Annabeth was quick assure him she took nothing from it, but it did little to quell his own concerns about how she felt. Was this the same worry Magg - Mrs. Goyle had once felt over their proposed relationship.

Thinking of those days, not altogether as distant as he hoped they were, reminded him that Annabeth had just as much a say in this as he did. If she said she was alright with the gossip he would not tell her she was not. Would not part from her unless she wanted that. Having been told what was best for him had been the heartbreak of a lifetime, Percy didn't intend to make this another heartbreak. "Annabeth," Percy started, looking into her eyes, "If you aren't worried I'm not either. People talk." He shrugged. "What they say doesn't change my feelings about you. I hope it has not changed your feelings for me?" He had to be sure, had to allow her the chance to say she wasn't alright.

She was cute when her nose wrinkled like that, Percy noted, almost chuckling had he not found himself terribly concerned that she might believe he actually was. Only to have his concern answered by laugher. He gave her a tight smile, "No, I'm not. Although if I were it should matter a great deal to you." Muggle or not she had to know the type of danger he would put her in if that were the case.