Hello my beloved readers, not too much action this chapter just a lot more talking- though there's some cuteness mixed in with the heavier conversations that have to happen because dear god people need to talk more about their trauma.
Percy couldn't breath. She couldn't think.
She could feel terror rising in her chest, freezing her lungs- and Annabeth was letting out a panicked noise. "Percy-Percy... Seaweed brain look at me-"
"H-he was supposed to die-"
"Get her out of here." Poseidon's voice was filled with concern, "Take her outside for some air-and Annabeth?"
"Yes Lord Poseidon?"
"Look after my daughter."
And Percy must have blacked out or something-or just lost time because the next thing she knew they were outside and she and Annabeth were sat with their backs to one of the fountains, Annabeth was sat up against the fountain and Percy was almost on her lap, curled up with her face in Annabeth's shoulder as the girl combed her fingers through Percy's hair, and Annabeth was whispering softly in her ear.
"It's okay. It's going to be okay Percy he's not going to get either of us, it's okay."
"I thought he-I thought at least the... at least I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore." Percy whispered, "I-I know Kronos would rise anyway but-I thought that at least Alabaster would be gone-"
"I know." Annabeth cupped Percy's cheeks in her hands, "Look at me Percy. You're going to be okay. We both will-I know it's scary-you don't deserve this, but you're so strong. You'll be okay." she pressed her lips to the top of Percy's head.
Percy let herself breath, shifting so that she was resting her head on Annabeth's shoulder, closing her eyes as she felt Annabeth start to fiddle with her hair-it was in a braid down her back-had been for days because it was the easiest way to keep it out of her face, and she felt the tension easing out of her as Annabeth tugged the hair tie out and started combing her fingers through Percy's hair, carefully unravelling the braid.
She knew Percy enjoyed having her hair played with-she found it soothing, and she let herself relax as Annabeth hummed softly, closing her eyes.
They stayed like that for some time until Percy felt Annabeth gathering up a lock and curling it around her finger and she shifted slightly as the girl spoke. "It's kinda weird but I like it."
"Like what?" Percy almost hummed the words."
"The streak?"
"What streak?" that had Percy opening her eyes-and Annabeth uncurled the hair from her finger, holding it so that Percy could see-it was gray, much like the streaks in Leo and Annabeth's hair.
"This streak. I guess you didn't notice it since your hair was pulled back.
"Huh." Percy reached up and hand to touch it. "We match."
"I don't know why but that seems weirdly romantic."
"We did hold up the sky together." Percy remarked softly. "Thank you by the way. For helping me."
"I was too injured to fight, and I saw you were holding the sky, I figured if I could drag myself over to you I could at least help." Annabeth gave a small shrug, "You were suffering and I didn't want you to have to do it alone."
"I love you." Percy shifted so that she could look into Annabeth's eyes, pressing the palm of her hand to Annabeth's cheek before she closed the gap and pressed their lips together.
When she pulled back Annabeth was smiling gently, and she brushed her fingers over Percy's cheek. "I can't believe our first time saying it was when we were holding up the sky."
"Not the most romantic confession of love ever but honestly-"
"For us it's perfect, right?" Annabeth laughed softly, "I know Seaweed brain."
"So we're definitely not hiding it anymore, right?"
"Well the people we really didn't want to know now know so I don't see why we should anymore." Annabeth remarked softly. "I'm proud of what we have, of being with you-"
"So am I. With you I mean-"
"I know what you mean Seaweed brain." Annabeth laughed and flicked her nose. "I want to be able to brag about the fact that I have the best girlfriend in the world to everyone at camp." Annabeth paused, "Though honestly I don't think it'll change that much- let's face it, things didn't change that much when we got together-we just get to kiss and things now. It's not like it's some huge change."
"True." Percy rested her forehead against Annabeth's. "Though it may mean you're not allowed to have sleepovers in my Cabin anymore-"
"Ooh." Annabeth pulled a face, "Okay that part won't be so great-maybe I'll just use my cap and sneak in and join you anyway."
"We'll get in so much trouble-"
"It's not like we'd do anything more than kiss." Annabeth rolled her eyes, "I just sleep better with you nearby-and that's not gonna be getting any better soon." the blonde gave Percy a look, "I thought I lost you Percy- for a few minutes there I honestly thought you were dead."
"I'm sorry."
"Percy you-you purposely yanked him down. I hate him as much as anyone but... we didn't know Nico and Luke were coming, as far as you knew he was the only chance you had of saving yourself."
"I couldn't do it Annabeth." Percy whispered the words, "I couldn't be saved by him-I couldn't do it. I... it would have just given him more of an excuse to say I needed him and I couldn't stand that."
"So you'd rather die?"
"Is that so crazy?" Percy tilted her head, "I... please don't be angry with me."
"I'm scared for you." Annabeth shook her head, "Percy... I-I know you've been hurting horribly during this quest but... to not care about your own life enough that you were willing to throw it away like that-"
"I won't do it again." Percy promised softly, feeling guilt twisting in her belly, "It's not like I want to die."
"Good." Annabeth pressed her lips to Percy's again. "And please... talk to me about things- I know you bottled a lot when Nico-" she shook her head.
"I... okay." Percy nodded, "I can try to do that. I just... I had to keep it together for the quest I didn't... if I talked about it I'd have shattered."
"I know." Annabeth sighed softly, "How are you feeling now?"
"Exhausted, drained. When we get back to camp I think it's gonna be hard for me to let Nico out of my sight for a while but.. I'll get over it. I just... I thought he was dead. I honestly believed I'd lost my baby brother and it hurt so much that... I-I don't even have words-" a shadow fell over them at that point and Percy lifted her head, her eyes widening.
"Niece." Hades was stood there, "I hoped to speak with you."
"Lord- uncle Hades." Percy pulled away from Annabeth quickly. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I wished to thank you." Hades looked slightly awkward, as if he wasn't used to such a thing-and he probably wasn't, more because he'd lacked any reasons to thank people before now. "For how you've cared for Nico. I know you don't have such a bond with Bianca but she is safe amongst the hunters- she found her own new family, and I am glad you've given Nico a home and a family."
"Uncle-"
"I spoke to my son in person for the first time since I sent him and Bianca to the Lotus Casino when he woke from his injuries." Hades was holding up a hand to silence her. "My children are often treated poorly but you and your family took him in without hesitation, you accepted him and treated him as a brother. He has always... struggled, with aspects of himself. You seem to have helped him grow into a strong brave hero, and he is happy. I cannot thank you enough for that-"
"But he nearly died." Percy blurted out, her voice heavy with guilt, "Uncle-"
"My son told me what happened. While I dislike the thought of him being hurt... well, it was hardly your fault, he told me that you planned on sacrificing yourself to save your friends and he couldn't allow that to happen. He made his choice, and he is recovered now. I'm sorry I could not send word to you of his survival, I didn't know where exactly you were, but in any case I believe mother sent him dreams to help him return to you at the right moment."
"Without him we'd have been screwed." Annabeth spoke up, "Your son is a real hero."
"Yes." Hades looked proud, "Nico and Bianca will prove to the world that my children are not evil. Perhaps they can change the way people see my children-"
"Everyone at camp loves Nico." Percy piped up "He gets on well with the other kids in his cabin."
"I know. He told me as much-" Hades looked amused, "I'm not entirely sure where he gets more talkative nature from. It's certainly not from me or his mother." that made Annabeth snicker and Percy outright laugh.
"I hope he never loses that." Percy smiled fondly, "He wouldn't be my little brother otherwise."
"I'm sure he won't-I find I have faith in you Persephone Jackson. I trust you to be the family Nico needs." he paused, "While I wouldn't recommend you making visiting the Underworld a habit... I will make sure that if you ever need to enter my domain again Charon will give you free lifts across the Styx and Cerberus won't attack you."
"Thank you." Percy grinned, "Though.. and I mean no offence uncle Hades, I'd rather not have to given the disaster that was my last visit-"
"Yes, well that was under rather exceptional circumstances." he shook his head, "Now I believe I should be retuning to the party-" Hades rolled his eyes, "Persephone is with her mother and she won't be pleased if I avoid them all night-" and Percy had to stifle a giggle at that- it seemed like such a normal problem-trouble with the in laws-though the fact that his mother in law was also his sister did make things weirder-did that make Zeus his father in law? That was just next level weird-and Annabeth yanked her out of those thoughts by kicking her ankle.
"Right, sorry uncle of course. Thank you for coming and... well and saying thank you- though it really wasn't necessary Nico is awesome-he's my baby brother now and that's all I care about."
Then Hades left them and Percy turned her head to look at Annabeth, who grinned. "Lord Hades totally has a soft spot for you. You're probably his favorite hero after his own kids-"
"That's ridiculous I'm sure there's others-"
"Percy now many kids of Zeus or Poseidon actually treat Lord Hades with respect?"
"Uh-" Percy faltered, blinking slowly.
"And how many of them would offer to help him because it was the right thing to do? Or apologise for assuming the worst."
"But that doesn't make me special-" Percy almost flailed, "I was just doing the right thing-"
"And that is what makes you special." Annabeth pressed their lips together, "My brave hero-"
"Ewww." and Annabeth pulled back, an amused look flashing across her face as Percy twitched. "PDA much?"
"I'll give you PDA." Percy span around, eyes narrowing at Thalia, who had a grin on her lips-and Percy faltered, eyes narrowing, "Did-did you get taller or something?"
"I asked my father if he could make me the age I should have been if it wasn't for the whole tree thing, It's only a couple of years difference but..." Thalia shoved her hands into her pockets-looking Percy and Annabeth up and down, "He said yes-and you guys got a makeover and a half didn't you?"
"Lady Aphrodite." Percy flushed, "Apparently our clothes were too scruffy for her tastes."
"That sounds like Lady Aphrodite." Grover was with the daughter of Zeus, "You two look great-though.. why are you out here, there's still a bunch of people inside wanting to congratulate us all."
Percy and Annabeth exchanged looks and Annabeth grabbed Percy's hand.
"I had a freak out." Percy admitted looking down, "Annabeth managed to get me out here away from everyone."
"What happened?" Grover was moving towards them instantly, "Though after the nightmare that was this entire quest I guess it's been overdue-though Lady Artemis did say that Nico is alive somehow."
"Yeah." Percy nodded, "Yeah he showed up just in time to save our asses-"
"That's great." Grover grinned, "I'm glad he's alright."
"Yeah, yeah so am I." Percy let out a breath. "It... it's been a really long week. But um... I freaked out because... Apparently... apparently Alabaster is still alive-"
"What?" Thalia paled, "But he fell off the cliffs- how could anyone be alive after a fall like that?"
"Dad says he's not sure, but Alabaster's definitely still alive. And probably still just as obsessed with me if not worse-"
"Oh this is gonna be bad." Thalia scowled, "But you've got back up-we'll be there to help Percy, no matter what."
Percy gave a slow small smile, "I know. And for the record I love you guys so much-"
"Eh, stop with the sappy." Thalia shoved Percy's shoulder, "Before I puke-"
"Gross." Annabeth rolled her eyes, but they were all grinning.
"So, I doubt you feel up to re-joining the party, do you think we can get a ride home?" Thalia asked.
"I dunno-"
"I'll go ask!" Grover was rushing back inside-and Percy watched him go with a small smile.
Things might be difficult and complicated now, but Percy knew one thing.
She had the best friends.