Disclaimer: Not mine. Percy Jackson ©Rick Riordan. "Be Still" by The Fray.
A/N: For my best friend, although maybe she'll never read this. My thoughts are with you. I'm sorry for your loss. Know, that I'm with you.
BE STILL
Be still and know that I'm with you
Be still and know that I am here
Be still and know that I'm with you
Be still, be still, and know
.
When darkness comes upon you
And covers you with fear and shame
Be still and know that I'm with you
And I will say your name
.
If terror falls upon your bed
And sleep no longer comes
Remember all the words I said
Be still, be still, and know
.
And when you go through the valley
And the shadow comes down from the hill
If morning never comes to be
Be still, be still, be still
.
If you forget the way to go
And lose where you came from
If no one is standing beside you
Be still and know I am
.
Be still and know that I'm with you
Be still and know I am
"You did great, Percy."
His father's voice was clear and strong and seemed to consume everything around him.
"Dad?" He wasn't sure if he actually said it or if only his mind replied to his father.
"Well done, my son." Poseidon was still not visible but Percy could hear the soft smile accompanying the words. It was years since he last heard the soothing timbre of the sea god.
"What's happening, Dad?"
"Don't worry, Percy. I'm with you."
It was this moment he realized it was getting darker around him and suddenly an unknown fear, like never before, consumed his whole being. "Dad?"
"I'm with you." Once again the words reached his ears and this time he relaxed and knew everything would be fine. Even if he couldn't see him, he was there. And suddenly he realized what was happening here.
"Where will I go?"
Again his father's voice reached his ears, again with the bright smile noticeable within, "You're going home, Percy."
oOo
As his breath got shallower, the heart in his chest slower by the beat, his vision blurrier with each blink, he remembered his first visit at Montauk. Thunder was rolling over the ocean, in the distance lightning seemed to split the sky, but the ocean was calm. The waves rolled to the beach, dark and soft, and high above a strip of the nightly sky was visible. Never in his life were the stars sparkling brighter, ever again.
Only one sparkle was even more dazzling than the stars that evening: Annabeth's gaze when he first kissed her. When he asked her to marry him. On their wedding night. When their son was born. And their three daughters. Every time he told her "I love you" and she answered "I love you more".
His last breath escaped to the world and the hero of Olympus faded away.
Annabeth smiled through her tears, brushing with her hands through his hair, kissing his closed eyelids, before placing a soft kiss upon his lips. As she pulled away, she hovered only inches from him and whispered, "Be still, my love. Be still. Be still and know that I'm with you. I follow you soon."
And she did.
FIN