He might do it out of pure affection. Percy really cares about Annabeth, and playing with her hair could be an instinctive way to show his love.
Maybe it's a sign of relaxation. After facing so many challenges, when they finally have a quiet moment, Percy just starts playing with her hair as a way to unwind and feel close to her. It's a very intimate gesture that can convey a lot of emotions without words.
It could be a form of comfort. If Annabeth is feeling down or worried, Percy playing with her hair is his way of saying 'I'm here for you'. It's a physical way to connect with her on a deeper level and let her know that she's not alone, that he'll always be there to support her.
It could be because he wants to give her a special gift without her knowing. So he sneaks in to leave it on her bedside table.
He could be frustrated with her. Maybe they had an argument earlier, and Percy, not knowing how else to express his feelings, throws the apple as a way of getting a reaction from her. It's like a childish way of saying 'I'm mad at you' without using words.
Another reason could be that Percy wants to start a conversation about Annabeth. By showing off the fanfiction, he can get people talking about her character, her strengths, and her role in their world. This could lead to more in - depth discussions about her and also about the whole story universe they are in.
One reason could be to add a new twist to the story. By making Percy smarter, it changes the power dynamic between them and creates new plot possibilities.
Another possibility is that there could be external forces at play. In some fanfic storylines, there might be a prophecy or a powerful enemy that convinces Annabeth that leaving Percy is the only way to protect him. She might sacrifice their relationship for his safety, believing that her presence endangers him in some way.
She might be interested because she cares deeply about Percy. Reading about his experiences in the Styx, even in fanfiction, could be a way for her to understand him better on a different level.
They might decide to sneak out just to have some alone time away from the chaos of their normal lives. In their world, there's always so much going on with training, quests, and dealing with other demigods, so they could be craving some peace and quiet together.
Well, it could be because Sally is an important person in Percy's life. He trusts her and wants to share the interesting things about Annabeth from the fanfiction with her.
Their relationship in the fanfiction could develop in a more mature way. College is a time of self - discovery, and they would be no exception. Percy might become more confident in his abilities and be more assertive in the relationship. Annabeth could become more empathetic towards Percy's insecurities. They could also start planning for their future together, like thinking about post - college life and how they can continue to fight for the good of the demigod world while also having a normal life. Maybe they even consider starting a demigod training program for future generations on their own.
Well, in some fanfictions, Percy might be mad at Annabeth because of a misunderstanding. Maybe she made a decision without consulting him in a crucial situation regarding their adventures. For example, if she chose a path that put their friends in danger without his input, Percy could get angry.