Will likes expressing himself through his clothes. Some people- Annabeth- might say he's a little obsessed, but working in scrubs all day under a hospital dress code can really make a guy appreciate the aspect of creativity that accompanies choosing his own clothes.

And Will's not even part of the wedding party, so he gets to wear whatever he wants today. Sure, some people might say that a mint-colored suit is excessive, but Will's proud of this find. He got it from a consignment store one day when he and Annabeth were looking for their Halloween costumes. Annabeth, practical as ever, asked what kind of a function he'd possibly need a suit brighter than an Easter egg for.

Will just shrugged. If she can dumpster dive for roller skates, he can have a mint suit.

A guy needs a suit, and he's never had one of his own before. So what if it's a little impractical? He loves it. It fits like a glove too, and it isn't borrowed from one of his half-siblings.

He dabs a tiny bit of foundation onto his chin. Now is certainly an inconvenient time to be getting stress zits, but he can cope. He's adaptable... enough...

Nico's bound to be dressed the same as the other groomsmen; probably a black suit with a purple tie, by the looks of the venue. Purple's a great color; Will's excited to see it on Nico.

Speaking of purple, Hazel dropped off the most beautiful purple bridesmaid's dress for Annabeth last night.

And speaking of Annabeth, it's time to wake up Sleeping Beauty.

"Hey, c'mon," Will says.

"You better have a good reason for waking me up," says Annabeth, her face still pressed into the pillow.

"Well first off: you shouldn't sleep on your stomach like that 'cause it's bad for your back. And second: we've got a wedding!"

"Oh fuck." Annabeth pulls the covers over her head. "It's my worst nightmare! I've turned thirty-five and have to go through with my marriage pact with my roommate."

Yes, they did make a marriage pact one night when they were drunker than usual. Will can't imagine what it might be like to marry Annabeth. She'd probably skip the big white wedding and just go off to Europe or something crazy.

Fortunately, he's got Nico as an option, so he might not have to follow through on that marriage pact.

Yes, he has pondered Nico's proposition. He wasn't lying when he said he'd think about it. He hates to admit it, but his relationship might depend on the outcome of his and Nico's little side-project, the one to get Percy and Annabeth back together.

He's feeling pretty bittersweet about the whole thing, to be honest. He'll be happy for Annabeth and Percy, and happy for him and Nico, but what of his relationship with Annabeth? Could it be the end of Monday night clubbing and The Princess Bride and refrigerator sangria?

Oh, gods, the refrigerator sangria is probably hazardous waste at this point. Hopefully, they can get to it before the neighbors complain about a smell coming from their apartment.

Will grabs Annabeth's dress from the shower rod. He left it in there while he was showering so the steam would help de-wrinkle it.

"No. No fucking way," says Annabeth. "It looks like a prom dress."

"Then you should've said no to Frank. Get up," says Will. He unzips the dress, taking note that there isn't much of a zipper, to begin with. It's a backless dress, probably of Piper's choosing since she's the only bridesmaid that lives within the general vicinity of New Rome.

But no matter! It'll look awesome on Annabeth.

"So, like, can I ask you a theoretical question?" she asks, finally dragging herself out of bed.

"Sure."

Annabeth pulls her shirt off. "Theoretically, if two people had broken up like, a long time ago, and then shared, I don't know, a moment in a gross indoor pool, and realized that they were both low-key failing at life, should they just part ways, or would following up be the right thing to do?"

"I don't know, did you guys kiss?" Will asks.

Annabeth steps into the dress. Will silently judges her for not changing underwear.

"This is all theoretical, remember?"

"Sure."

"But no, they didn't kiss. They just, uh, hugged and cried. Awkward, right?"

Will zips up the dress and fixes the sleeves. "No, I don't think so. It's kind of sweet. But yeah, you- I mean, they should probably follow up. Have a conversation and make sure they're on the same page, especially since it does sound a little intimate."

Annabeth seems to like this answer. "Thanks."

He wants to ask about what went down between her and Percy, but she already seems a little nervous.

Now it's Will's turn to put some feelers out there. "I actually have a theoretical question too."

"Shoot, but can you at least help me with my makeup while we talk about this?"

Wow, Annabeth asking for help? Will thought he'd never see the day. He opens up the travel toiletry bag he packed for Annabeth and picks out some makeup. 'Natural' is probably most appropriate for a wedding, right?

"So, theoretically, if these two guys broke up a while ago, and one of the guys wanted to get back together, but he lives like all the way across the country, and the other guy didn't want to leave his roommate behind, but he wanted to get back together with the ex, what should he do?"

Annabeth laughs. "What the hell? That was so confusing."

Will rolls his eyes. "I'm serious! Now hold still. I won't help if you get mascara on your eyelids."

"Okay, okay," says Annabeth. "Just... the guy with the problem should know that his roommate loves him very much and would never leave him." She reaches for Will's hand. "We're like a... a two-person family. I'll never leave you. Promise."

Oh, gods, that is beyond concerning. But what did he expect? Of course, she's attached to him. They've lived together for long enough. It makes sense that Annabeth's clinging to him.

"I'm going to hug you now," says Will.

"We don't do that much," says Annabeth.

She's right. They pretty much only hug when they're drunk and need each other for physical support.

But they embrace, and it's super awkward. Will can tell that she wasn't made to cling to him. It makes him sad to think she's putting her circle-shaped peg through a square-shaped hole. It still works, but there's something better out there.

He's lucky that she opens up to him; it's great to have a friend.

But still, he can't help but wonder if there's an alternate universe where she could stand on her own with a different... partner? What even are Will and Annabeth?

Oh, right. Family.

"Hey," Will says. "I... you know I love you?"

"Don't get all sappy on me, Will," Annabeth says.

"But you know it's true, right?"

Annabeth rolls her eyes and gets to work pinning up her hair. "I don't know why you're being like this, but yes, I know. Who else would let me take coffee tables and roller skates off the side of the road?"

Will chuckles.

"But for what it's worth, I, uh, I love you too," she says. Then, she pulls her drakon-bone sword from under the bed and attaches it to a garter on her inkless thigh. It's a little unconventional; most people use holsters.

Will supposes Annabeth isn't exactly a conventional woman. Still, why does she own a garter? Doesn't she have a holster somewhere? And how is that physically possible?

"That's a little extra, don't you think?"

Will hugs her again.

When he finally releases her, she straightens his tie.

"Ready?" Will asks.

Annabeth nods. "Yeah... Oh, wait. Do you think we should cover my tattoo?"

"No way!"

Annabeth gets up and makes her way to the door.

"Oh," says Will. "I told Piper I'd drive the cake to the banquet hall. Think you can get in the car without slamming your dress in the door?"

"Okay, that was one time!" Annabeth says. She crosses her arms and looks at a black stain on the carpet. "I was actually going to walk over with Percy."

"Percy?"

Annabeth maintains a distance far enough in front of Will that keeps him from confronting her about her transportation plans.

No matter. Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and she'll get back together with Percy, and he won't feel so bad about wanting to be with Nico now. That's good, right?

The delivery people from the bakery are already in the lobby carrying the cake on a dolly. Will goes over and introduces himself. He offers to help load the cake into the car, but they don't want it. He'll just be in the way.

He glances back at Annabeth before leading the delivery people to his car.

She's already found by Percy. Perhaps they're making small talk. They look pretty awkward. Something definitely went down between them yesterday, but Will thinks it might be something more than emerging from a hole in the altar tied together with a purple ribbon.

Annabeth looks good. Confident. Maybe it's her, or maybe it's the leather jacket overtop her dress.

"Sure, guys," he says to the delivery team. "I'll pull the car around; just hang in for a few."