A/N: I had the urge to make a small Luke drabble/one-shot, hopefully you all like it ^_^

Disclaimer: Don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, or Luke Castellan

I sat there in what had to be the last year of my relative freedom, my relative existence. My hands shook slightly as I stared down at them, urgently willing them to stay calm and trying to remember the old breathing techniques for collecting yourself. Anytime I did so, those images would flash back into my head, tormenting me into the depressing silence of resignation.

I hated some of the choices I had made, and where things were inevitably headed. I knew things were meant to be this way, but I wished deep down that they wouldn't be.

You're such a pathetic fool. The voice resounded from inside my head, but it wasn't my own.

"No.. but this is the only way, isn't it?" I asked myself aloud.

Ha, you know there is no other options left anymore. I hated the feeling of helplessness that crept over me in these dreary moments of solitude.

"Maybe, there is still one way left." I quietly mumbled to myself as I bit down harshly on my lip, tensing as the metallic taste of blood.

Even if you wanted, you can't back out this last in our plans, boy. I hated this voice so much, but it had been entirely ingrained into my being that I could only just slump in my seat and wish things were back years before this mess all started. Sadly, the next year seemed to drift aimlessly by until that fateful night that time stopped for the last time, for me.

[Nearly a year later]

My quiet dreams and all those joyful and painful memories were brought to a sudden halt, as I could the dagger rip through my own weakness and my fingers clutch the handle tightly, the blade piercing through my armpit. It was all just one fleeting moment, but I felt like the world froze for me there.

I could feel the weight of everything I had done or ever thought, and the impact it played on all of the people who had called me a friend. I could see the astonished faces of Percy and Grover, along with Annabeth. This was my ending, my brief glimpse of a twisted redemption. One that I firmly believed that I wasn't worthy to bear, not for all of my crimes.

The pain seared through my entire body, like being electrocuted from the inside out. I could feel the drain of time slipping away from me at last, when I saw her. She was struggling under a large column that had toppled onto her legs, but she looked as beautiful as ever and I knew that I had at least done this for her.

"Thalia..." I manage to spurt out softly as the life escapes my body. "I finally got my own quest.. I can finally tell you that I love you.."

Even if the words came out as a gurgle, I was able to stare into her beautiful blue eyes one last time and know that deep down she could feel my words inside her heart and soul. I knew that despite everything, she loved me too.

My last breaths were the most painful as everything went black for the last time. My one consoling thought was that even amidst all of the betrayal, hatred and pain I inflicted, they didn't ever truly give up on me. I was never alone in my pain after all. Indeed, what a fool I was.