Annabeth loved Percy. She knew that when he saved her a countless of times. She knew that when he mended her broken heart over Luke Castellan. She knew that even when his heart seemed to go to another girl, she would continue to love him. Because in the end, she knew he would always come back to her. Even when they're falling through the depths of Greek hell.

As they fell, Percy clutched Annabeth closer to him. It was like Tartarus was drawing the strength and hope out of him. If he felt like that now, what what he feel when they had reached the bottom of Tartarus? He didn't want to think about it. He wrapped his arms around his girlfriend, who returned the gesture and shivered.

Annabeth's hands wrapped around Percy's torso, and they brushed against what used to be his Achilles spot. She felt Percy tremor and clutch her to him, even closer to before. He was everything to her, and it broke her heart to know that he was suffering with her. Still, when he had made the decision to fall into the pit, tugging at her like tendrils of darkness, to accompany her, she'd looked up at him, in all his glory; his windswept black hair, those strong, warm arms, and the determined gaze in his seagreen eyes, swirling with such emotion her breath had caught. She loved him with all her heart, she knew for certain. She didn't know if she could've made it out of Tartarus alive. But with him at her side, she had a flickering hope inside of her, that maybe, everything would turn out right. He had that affect on her.

She placed one hand behind his neck and drew him closer, their noses almost touching. She couldn't see him, but she could feel the tension in the tendons at his neck. He relaxed when their foreheads touched. The air rushed up around them, and Annabeth exhaled a ragged breath.

"I love you," she choked out, against his ear. It was too dark to see his expression, but lean arms held her closer, and warm lips brushed her cheek. It tingled where he kissed her.

"I love you more." His voice was surprisingly strong, and full of confidence. Her heart stopped, then picked up faster than before. She swallowed, and curled both hands around his neck. There was a moment's silence before he leaned over and locked his lips with hers. Annabeth's stomach turned around and flip-flopped. It was a sweet and desperate kiss, as if he was making this the best last kiss ever. But Annabeth wouldn't allow that. She wanted to escape out of Tartarus with him. Go to college with Percy, and grow old together. She could see glimpses of the future flash before her eyes. Annabeth wouldn't make this the last kiss. She would make it the one filled with hope. She was sure of it.

Annabeth looked at the darkness, where Percy's face should be. She wrapped his arms around her waist and set her hands against his cheeks. There was no light within Tartarus, but she could almost see the familiar look of defiance that shone in his eyes. Annabeth grasped his face and crushed her lips against his, giving them both a surge of energy. The darkness seemed to retreat from them, and the air seemed lighter for an instance. Annabeth pulled back and met Percy's piercing gaze. For a while, they stayed that way. tangled up in each other.

"Together," Annabeth said softly, forcing her breath to come out evenly. Percy looked into her eyes, searching. And at that moment, Annabeth knew she couldn't love anybody more that she loved Percy Jackson. She looked down, bashful. To her surprise, Percy tilted her chin up and looked at her, lovestruck.

"Forever. And always," he whispered. and the two descended down into the darkness that engulfed them.