Percy collapsed. He was shaking, shrinking in on himself.
Annabeth dropped to her knees and started shouting, grasping desperately at what she thinks are his arms.
Its dark. So dark. Only choked little sobs coming from her friend.
"Percy,"
The boy wrapped in on himself, trying to free her grasp from his arms. He was shouting, crying. "Im sorry— Im sorry I won't do it again —please its dark-"
"Percy—!"
"I w-won't do it again, I promise — I-" Annabeth seized his hands again, but this time Percy jerked away. "I won't tell mom! Just the light — p-please, I can't see — Im sorry Im sorry Im sor-"
"Percy its me! Its Annabeth!" Gods, this was heartbreaking. She wanted to cry too.
She didn't know Percy gets panic attacks, she doesn't get panic attacks.
Percy just sounded so so broken. So hurt, so scared. She knew this was just some form of PTSD, but dear gods did it break her heart into little pieces. "Percy, its me."
"I don't..." He was still shaking, but his shoulders had relaxed.
"Its Annabeth, okay?" She leaned down, trying to guess where his eyes were, trying to grasp him back into reality. "Its your friend. You're not with your stepdad. He's a lot way away, okay?"
Her friend stayed quiet, still shaking. "O...Okay."
"Its just dark, alright?" She glanced around, hoping for her eyes to spot anything. "Do you know where you are, Percy?"
"...tired and scared."
Annabeth paused. Was he shuting down again? No, no no no— "Percy I need you to stay with me,"
She found his hands, and quickly squeezed them. "Come on, Perce." But his body was starting to tremble more again, the way his muscles tensed.
Annabeth had no other ideas, she has yet to meet anyone or helped console anyone who broke into a panic attack so suddenly. So in her defense, when she wrapped her arms around him, it was because she had bo experience.
"Its alright," Annabeth whispered, stroking his back. "Just breath, can you do that, Percy?"
"Y-yes."
"Good." She sighed, still hugging him. "Very good."
Finally pulling away, Annabeth sat down beside her friend, letting him rest his head on her legs. "You're really good, y'know?"
Emotional, mid-panic attack Percy was seriously not something's she'd ever get used to, but it just seemed still Percy. Still her friend.
"Where's my mom?"
Gone. Taken. You saw her burst into a spark. "She's waiting for you, at home."
Percy's body tensed. "With Gabe?"
"No — no. Your stepdad left. Its just the two of you now, do you like that?"
The boy went silent, before humming in agreement. "Just... me and my mom. Happy?"
"Yeah, Percy, happy."
~*O*~
"Annabeth!" The blonde looked up from her book, following the source to a certain black-haired cabin three boy.
She arched a brow. "Percy?"
Her friend went to sit beside her, heaving out a tired breath.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Seaweed Brain,"
"Hey," Percy ignored her remark, which was odd.
The blonde glanced back up from her book, now curious. "What?"
"Thanks," Percy rubbed the back of his neck. "I... Don't tell anyone about..."
He trailed off, but Annabeth caught on quickly and she smiled warmingly. "Its fine," She placed a hand on his knee. "Friends don't let friend fall into panic attacks alone."
She guessed he liked the term friends, because then he smiled. Sweet and thankful, and she swore something set off within her.
A little warm, but little annoying. And very hopeful.