For Mythology 10: Frey: Task Ten: Write about facing the consequences of a decision made long ago.
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"This isn't the life I wanted. This… distance between us. And I know it's my fault and I know I made so many mistakes and I don't expect you to forgive me—"
"Good."
Percy startles. It's the first thing Oliver has said to this rambling apology of his.
"What?" he asks when Oliver doesn't continue.
"Good," Oliver repeats. "I'm glad you don't expect forgiveness." He looks up, meeting Percy's eyes.
Percy can see the ache within them. It burns to know he caused that.
"You left," Oliver continues. "When I needed you most, when the world was falling apart, you left."
He sounds… raw. Torn apart.
Percy knows it wouldn't help to tell him the truth. To say, I didn't think you'd miss me. I didn't think you'd notice I was gone.
Oliver wouldn't thank him for it.
It's still the truth.
"I'm sorry," Percy says instead.
"I know," Oliver says, and it sounds like it doesn't matter. Sounds like it doesn't fix this. Sounds like I won't forgive you for this.
Percy swallows. Looks at Oliver. Really looks.
Oliver is curled in on himself, crumpled, and he looks so small. And Percy knows it's his fault.
He thought he was doing what was right. Standing up for his beliefs.
And then it all went wrong and he was just too damn stubborn to admit it until it was too late.
He came back just to watch Fred die.
Leaving Oliver behind had hurt just as much as walking out of the Burrow.
Because Percy loves Oliver. Has always loved him. It's not fire and consumption, but it's strong and steady and constant, long since and accepted fact in his life.
But Oliver is all Percy's ever had.
Oliver makes friends easily, smiles quick and charming.
Percy had always assumed the dependence only went one way.
Apparently he was wrong.
Once again, the realization seems to have come too late.
There's nothing else to say.