A/N: Hey! Welcome to "As Long As We're Together". Some things about this story that you should probably know before starting:
This story will be about Percabeth recovering from Tartarus, so there will be PTSD involved here. I will post trigger warnings at the beginnings of any chapters where it might be relevant, because from experience I know that having a panic attack because a story author didn't post a trigger warning, even just for a mention of one of my triggers, is never pleasant. If I even have a little suspicion it might be cause for a warning, I will post it.
This story also deals with issues of self-harm and depression. I won't go into any details for spoiler reasons, but once again: for chapters where I think a warning might be necessary, I will post one. If I don't put a warning and you think I should, do not hesitate to tell me. I will fix it as soon as I possibly can.
As well, expect chapters maybe once or twice a week. It could be literally any point when I have time and I have the next chapter copied onto my computer. I have the next six chapters written down on paper, but not on my computer, and that takes a little bit of time.
If you like the story, be sure to tell me in a review! Or don't, it's really up to you.
Also, this story does have a fair amount of LGBT+ representation. If you have some sort of issue with that, don't leave hate comments. Don't tell me in some roundabout, jerky way, and don't flame. I will not tolerate hate for this community, and if you're in America I understand First Amendment rights, but I am telling you right now that if you leave a hateful review, it will be removed and reported. You have been warned.
On with the story!
Prologue: Annabeth
Annabeth Chase was already beginning to get tired of Ivory Brookewood, her half-sister on the godly side with whom she was living for the school year. There never were a huge number of blatantly extroverted Athena campers, but Annabeth was quickly learning that Ivory was the exception. The woman had so much enthusiasm about basically everything that it was borderline painful. Annabeth had been in the car with her for a grand total of fifteen minutes, and already a headache was building up right behind her eyes.
"So, Annabeth," Ivory started, and Annabeth repressed a groan. "What do your classes look like this year?"
"Well," Annabeth began, sarcasm already leaking into her voice. "A whole lot of I-don't-have-a-clue-because-I-don't-have-the-schedule-yet."
Ivory paused, as though just now realizing the flaw in the question, before shrugging. Ivory was one of those people who seemed to have just a little trouble telling when other people didn't want to have conversations. Annabeth hoped her silence would have sent the message by now, but apparently, it hadn't.
"Well, you should get some rest." Ivory recovered. "First day of school tomorrow!"
"Yeah."
"Why so upset?"
Annabeth was truly clueless as to how Ivory wasn't a child of Aphrodite, but reminded herself that Ivory was a rival even for her when it game to battle strategy.
"Popular kids."
Ivory's expression told Annabeth all she needed to know. Annabeth had had some issues with a group of popular girls at her old school, and was not eager to deal with them again.
"Could be different."
"Probably won't be."
For the rest of the ride, Ivory and Annabeth sat in silence. Annabeth watched as the buildings changed between camp and Ivory's apartment in Manhattan.
The place wasn't anything special – a big room consisting of the living room, kitchen, and dining room, with a hallway going off to the right that Annabeth assumed led to bedrooms and a bathroom. Annabeth dropped her bag by the door, before falling onto the couch. Within seconds, she was asleep.
Demigods always had weird dreams, and Annabeth had come to accept that fact once she found out about it when she was seven. Annabeth was used to the vivid, often disturbing scenes that played out in her sleep. However, she doubted strongly that the visions that had been haunting her lately would ever cease to be completely terrifying.
Annabeth couldn't see. All around her was inky blackness, though it really had little to do with her environment right now. She had to hit the stupid arai, and now she was blind. At least Percy was right beside her. She focused almost entirely on his presence, the only good thing in the pit.
Then it was gone.
"Percy?" She called out. She heard his voice, dimly, and tried to find where it was coming from. No matter which way she turned, though, she couldn't find the source of his voice.
"Percy, don't leave me!"
The laughter of the arai filled her senses, and there was nothing except for their chilling, echoing laugher for Annabeth. She was all alone.
Annabeth jerked to a start, her breathing heavy. That damn nightmare again. Since escaping from Tartarus, that had been a favorite of her mind to torture her with. She couldn't help but wonder if, in some twisted way, one of the arai had cursed her to never forget that feeling of abandonment. To always be forced to relive, over and over again, that horrifying moment when Percy was ripped away from her.
Annabeth calmed her breathing, and, realizing she was shaking, managed to still her body. No matter how many times she had that nightmare, she always woke up shaken from it. Annabeth had thought that, eventually, she would just become accustomed to the nightmare. As usual, though, the Fates seemed to have very different ideas.
"Are you feeling okay?"
Annabeth jumped at the voice, before calming down, seeing it was only Ivory.
"Yeah."
"What was that?"
"Just a nightmare." Annabeth saw the look on Ivory's face and quickly added, "nothing particularly important to the current safety of the world."
Thank the gods for that. Annabeth was fairly certain that, while most other demigods at either camp would have jumped on an opportunity to prove themselves by saving the world, she and Percy wouldn't be able to handle another Great Prophecy somehow involving them. Not right now. Not while they were still recovering. Ivory's face fell. Annabeth sighed, rolling her eyes, standing up and stretching.
"I'm hungry, what time is it?" Annabeth asked. Ivory sighed, smiling. Maybe this arrangement wouldn't end up being so bad. Annabeth hoped so, anway.
