Percy hated it when the flashbacks messed with Annabeth. When the only thing he could do was wrap her in his arms and whisper "Its ok Annabeth I'm here, I'm here." He wanted nothing more than to help her, but he couldn't not when he couldn't even help himself. Coming back from Tartarus had changed them so much. Some days it seemed as if they never even left, as if their friends never found a way to save them. Those were the days they stayed in solitude just holding on to each other and what little of reality they could.
Today was one of those days; they were huddled up next to the lake, their go to place for privacy and comfort. It hit Percy first while he was training the newbies that had come in earlier that month. Annabeth had been nearby so she was able to intervene before it got bad. However, once he had calmed down and told her what hell his mind had locked him in that time; it set her mind spinning putting her into her own personal version. They had been drawing attention to themselves so Percy swept Annabeth up in his arms and carried her to the lake.
The sun was setting beautifully across the lake when Annabeth finally escaped the clutches of her mind. The tear stains had dried on both of their cheeks hours ago. As Annabeth snuggled into his neck her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, they watched the sun drop behind the horizon.