Author's note: I scribbled this down on paper at four am the other night, so I decided to upload it. reviews are appreciated. Enjoy!
Luke was standing at the top of the hill, next to Thalia. He was dressed in a black shirt and jeans for his quest. It felt weird to see him in something besides orange after so long. His hand was running over her bark, and his lips were moving as if her was talking to her. I had already realized a long time ago that she would never respond.
I ran straight up the hill, even though in training I had learned that it was easier to go diagonally. But I didn't care in that moment; I just wanted to get to him. I couldn't miss him.
When I got to the top, he was still there, he hadn't moved at all. He turned towards me, his blue eyes sparkling, his face in an easy grin. "Hey there Little Genius. Wanted to say goodbye before I left?"
My throat was tight. I didn't want to cry, warriors don't cry. But still, I held back tears as I chocked out, "You're gonna come back, right?"
His shoulders tensed. "Of course I will." He tried to wrap his arm around me, to comfort me in some way, but I pulled back. Confusion twisted his face.
"And you'll stay?" I asked quietly.
"What do you mea-?"
"Andrew. Madison. Justin. Lily. They all came back from their quests and were…different. They came back and were gone within six months. Even the year round ones left," my voice began to tremble, "Prom-promise me you'll stay." The tears that I had been holding back began to fall, landing on the collar of my orange T-shirt. It was the smallest the camp carried, an adult size XS, but it was still too big.
He crouched down, even though he wasn't that much taller than me. Ok. Maybe he was. He had never seemed that big.
"Listen to me Annabeth. I am always right here for you. No quest is going to change that. It may take days, or weeks, but I'll end up back here, and them I'm not going anywhere. I would never just leave you." He gave me a hug. He smelled like oak woods and fall leaves, like always, even though it was the beginning of summer. Even after being at camp for three years, he still smelt the same as when we were on the run.
I was still bawling, and I hugged him tight. Gosh I was such a baby.
"Come on Anny. What's wrong?"
"It's just that you've never been away for so long. I haven't been without you in forever. I'm really going to miss you."
He ruffled my hair, and tapped on my dagger, which was holstered to my side. Most ten year olds don't get to carry knives the way I do. Before I realized, he had pulled my weapon from my side.
"Give it back!" I yelled, jumping up to grab it, now giggling. He held it high over my head though, out of reach.
"Remember when I gave this to you?" he said, his blue eyes staring off into a memory. "It was just in the beginning. When you look at it, just remember," he said, handing me back my knife, "We're family, and family sticks together. I'll always come back. I promise."
I gave him one more big hug before he left. His arms were familiar, they made me feel safe.
When Luke returned three weeks later, there was a scar down his face. None of his smiles were easy ones anymore. But he had come back, just like he promised. He smelt of smoke.