"Happy birthday, Perce," Grover said, looking over to Sally.

"We're really proud of you, Percy," Poseidon gave a small smile.

Tyson wiped away the tears trickling down from his eye. "So proud."

Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, was truly a hero. He'd done everything from saving Aphrodite's scarf when he was twelve, to Olympus when he was sixteen. Now, a year later, all of his friends and family were gathered to thank him for all he'd done.

They'd started with gifts, Percy's favorite. Leo had made him a locket that contained dehydrated water. (Don't ask.) Its purpose was to give Percy the ability to summon water from anywhere in the world. Piper had stayed casual and given him a photo of the seven, (along with Nico and Reyna) because he'd liked it so much. Jason gave him a book about Greece and Rome, even though Percy didn't like reading all that much. Frank gave him Chinese handcuffs, a little inside joke between the two.

The others waited- they wanted to see him in private.

Thalia and Nico sat at the back of the room, quiet and sullen. They, perhaps, were two of Percy's closest friends.

When the day was over, it was just Annabeth and Percy. It was their one year anniversary. She took his pen out of her pocket and set it on the ground. It would somehow make its way back to his pocket. She looked down at the slice of cake she'd gotten him and shook her head.

"Why do you even like blue food anyway?" Annabeth asked, splitting the cake into two.

There was no reply.

"Of course, Seaweed Brain." Tears started to flow down her face. "Of course you're not going to answer. Why would you?"

No reply.

"Why today? Of all days- why was this stupid thing held today?"

No reply.

"And here? You're an idiot, you know that right?"

No reply.

"I really hate you, Percy."

No reply.

"And I'm really going to miss you."

She stared at the sea, thinking of everything she'd done with Percy. It wasn't fair.

Now? Here? It had to be some sick joke.

She glanced at the closed coffin beside her and set her cap on it.

She didn't try to stop crying, "Happy birthday, Seaweed Brain."