I Need to Feel You Next to Me

It was dark in Tartarus. The two demi gods didn't know what to do, or where to go. Annabeth's ankle was throbbing and she found it hard to stand. She couldn't see where Percy was, and for one of the few times in her life, she was scared.

"Percy? Where are you? I-I can't see you." Her voice called through the never ending darkness.

"Right in front of you, Wise Girl," His voice was slightly husky, "I've got you. Here, have some nectar."

Annabeth heard the rustling of a plastic bag, then felt a square of nectar being placed at her mouth. She opened her lips and recieved the healing food into her mouth. The throbbing in her ankle subsided quickly, and she felt the bone begin to mend.

"Are you close? I need to feel you here. Next to me." Annabeth reached out into the dark in front of her.

Her hands hit something in front of her. Annabeth felt the object rising and falling, "That's me, Annabeth. Don't worry I'm here."

"I hate seeming so weak," Annabeth hugged him, "It makes me feel awful for having to whine about this but I just haven't been the same since you went missing and now that I've found you-" She was silenced with a small kiss.

"Shh, Wise Girl. It's fine. We all need to break a bit every once and a while. I'm here for you, ok? So, tell me what's bothering you."

"I-I just havent been the same, like I said, after you dissapeared. I was in a state of constant depression and noboy could get through to me. I missed you being there everyday, then I hated you for dissapearing, then I missed you again. Constantly, I hated myself for hating you because I should've been worrying," Tears were streaming down her face, "Because I knew that going around hating you would get me nowhere closer to finding you. I missed sneaking out to your room and lying with you. I missed being curled up beside you with your arm around my waist."

She was enveloped in a hug and that was when her sobs took control, and Annabeth broke down. Percy held his girlfriend, rocking her back and forth and rubbing her back soothingly. Annabeth's shoulders shook, and shook.

When the sobbing subsided, Annabeth pulled away and kept talking, "And when I found you, I was so angry, and happy, and I felt this turmoil of emotions that I couldn't control and I managed to only flip you over my shoulder as compared to beating you half to death. But it felt so good to be by you again. To touch you, to kiss you. I had missed it so much," She sniffled again and smiled, "Now. Let's find a way to get light-"

"No. Not yet. There's something I need to say before we continue working our way through Tartarus." Percy said firmly.

"What is it?"

"You were the only person I could remember while I was at Camp Jupiter, and while I was going on the quest. You were the memory that kept me going."

Annabeth's eyes glistened with tears and she leaned in to kiss Percy deeply. They grabbed at each other, bringing their bodies closer.

"I love you, oh my gods I love you." Annabeth whispered.

"I love you too." Percy whispered back.

"Now, let's get going. We have a lot of work to do, and not much time."

"Agreed. Let's find something flammable."

Fin.