I don't own the characters or song used.
Song used: See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
It's been a long day without you, my friend...
Sally Jackson-Blofis maneuvered skillfully around the bookcase as she tidied it up. Paul was at work and she had nothing to do. The restless urge to feel useful probed her to tidy up the apartment.
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again...
Catching a glimpse of a book she'd long forgotten about, she absently reached up...
We've come a long way from where we began...
And knocked off a photograph onto the carpeted floor. Sally bent down to pick it up before stopping short and freezing as she saw the picture.
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again...when I see you again...
It was a picture of Percy and Annabeth at the beach, holding each other's hands as they smiled at the camera. Tears rushed into her eyes as her shaking hands pulled the picture of her precious kid to her. As she picked it up, however, a note she hadn't noticed fell out of the crack between the photo and frame.
Damn, who knew all the planes we flew...good things we've been through...
Sally dropped the cleaning supplies and collapsed onto the couch. She set the photo gingerly down beside her and read the note.
That I'll be standing right here...talking to you about another path...
Dear Mom,
Merry Christmas from Camp. I hope you liked the photo, it was the least I could send. Annabeth and I are doing well, as is everyone else. I hope you're doing okay. I miss you. Say hi to Paul for me. Annabeth also says hello. I want you to know that whatever happens to me, I'll always be with you.
I love you.
Percy.
Know we loved to hit the road and laugh...but something told me that it wouldn't last...
Sally stared numbly at the picture, uncomprehending as she swallowed her tears. Oh, her son, her gem. How she'd loved him. But with the fondness came the bittersweet memories. Particularly that time last week...
Had to switch up look at things different see the bigger picture...
Annabeth had shown up at the door. When she'd rung the doorbell, Sally had tried with all her might not to fling open the door and see her son standing there with his usual grin.
Those were the days hard work forever pays now I see you in a better place...
Instead...
The doorbell rung once before an uncomfortable silence ensued the apartment as Sally and Paul hurried to the door. When they opened it, they saw Annabeth...but no Percy.
Annabeth said nothing, she looked down at a bit of an angle. Only then did Sally notice what she was wearing. She wore a long-sleeved black top and a black skirt. Annabeth looked back up and her faded gray eyes welled with tears before she allowed them to spread down her face.
How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got?...
Sally and Paul pulled the broken girl into their arms. Sally's own tears welled in her eyes as the realization hit her full force.
Her son was dead.
Everything I went through you were standing there by my side...
Sally forced herself out of the moment as she heard the photo clatter to the floor.
And now you gonna be with me for the last ride...
No, it wasn't fair. Percy was a special person. He knew how to fight, but he also had heart. That made him dangerous. But that was what made him, him. What made him Percy.
It's been a long day without you, my friend...
Sally carefully pressed a tender kiss onto the photograph as she slid the photo back onto its place on the shelf and adjusted it. She found an empty frame and pressed the note into it, before walking slowly to her bedroom.
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again...
She opened the door which greeted her with a slight creak. Shuffling in, she placed the frame onto her nightstand and paused as another tidal wave of memories washed over her. She left quietly, shutting the door behind her.
We've come a long way from where we began...
Sally walked into the kitchen to dispose of her cleaning supplies. Her heart ached as she saw the blue food dye stocked against a wall. Putting the supplies away, she slid down to the cold, hard tile floor and recalled every good memory she'd had. One stood out.
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again...when I see you again...
"Mom?"
"Yes, honey?"
"Why do you make blue cookies?" Eight-year-old Percy gazed up at her with large sea-green eyes. Sally laughed and kissed her son on the forehead before tipping some more food dye into the batter.
"Because so many people say blue food isn't real, sweetie. Not only am I proving them wrong, but it tastes great. Why are you asking? Do you not want me to make them anymore?" Sally gave her son a sly smile as she said that. Percy's eyes grew wide.
"No! I want you to make them. They're the best cookies ever!" He shrieked before Sally pulled him up. "This is the batter. You want to help me color it?" Percy gave an eager nod. She handed him the bottle and he poured it into the bowl...
...getting some on his shirt. "Percy!" Sally said playfully. It was a blue shirt anyways. Percy smiled up at his mom as she showed him how to pour it.
Needless to say, the day ended up with half a batch of blue cookies and a food fight.
First, you both go out your way...and the vibe is feeling strong and what's...
Getting up, Sally gave a sad smile to the kitchen as she left, closing the door behind her. Staring blankly at the room in front of her, the house had never seemed so empty.
Small turn to a friendship, a friendship...turn into a bond and that bond will never...
Glancing up at the staircase, an overwhelming urge left her absently walking towards it. She was four steps to the staircase before she stopped.
Be broken and the love will never get lost...and when brotherhood come first then the line...
She shouldn't do it. But she just had to. The week had seemed like years, and she needed some kind of comfort. She forged forward.
Will never be crossed established it on our own...When that line had to be drawn and that line is what...
Climbing up the stairs, Sally heard the echoing steps of her feet on the stairs. They emphasized the emptiness of the house. Sally swallowed back the tears.
We reach so remember me when I'm gone...
Finally, Sally reached her destination. Standing at the top of the stairs, Sally came face to face with a faded blue door. The gold handle was well used and worn, but it had never felt so smooth as when Sally laid her shaking hand on it.
How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got?...
Sally gripped the handle as she traced the name Percy on the door, in dark blue. Gathering up her courage, she finally managed to get a steady grip on the handle.
Everything I went through you were standing there by my side...And now you gonna be with me for the last ride...
She turned it, and was met with a slight creak that for a moment illuminated the house before falling into silence again. Pushing the door open, Sally once again saw the faded blue walls and the same bed, cupboard, nightstand, photos, everything.
So let the light guide your way hold every memory...
Sally walked in and stared around. Percy's posters of who knew what were still on the walls. The bed was still unmade, and the clock was still on the nightstand. She sat heavily on the soft mattress and gazed at the pictures.
As you go and every road you take will always lead you home...
They were in chronological order, only serving as more of a reminder of how much Percy had grown from the fun twelve-year-old to the serious boy she'd seen a few months ago. Not that he didn't laugh, he did, and he still cracked jokes and things, but he'd changed.
It's been a long day without you, my friend...and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again...
She sat down at the wooden desk at the foot of Percy's bed. It was covered in photos of him, her, Paul, Annabeth, Camp, his friends...maps and information for quests with notes from Annabeth, letters from Annabeth, some unfinished homework, drachmas.
We've come a long way from where we began...
Sally abandoned the thoughts in her head that everything would be the same, that everything would be alright. Her baby was gone.
Percy was gone.
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again...
Sally let go, and burying her face in her hands, for the first time in a long time, Sally Jackson-Blofis cried.
When I see you again...