Hey guys, I hope you enjoy suffering, and also cuteness because as I said I'm not gonna shy away from the fact that these kids would be so messed up and communication is key people! And you guys shall get a rough idea of what the minific is gonna include in it based on the end of this chapter and next chapter.
Percy was incredibly grateful when she was able to stumble into her cabin and flop onto her bed.
She did feel somewhat anxious about letting go of Nico, but she'd forced herself to-she wasn't going to bug him over it, he wasn't going to want to have to put up with her being incredibly clingy so she'd let go of him and let him head off to get some sleep himself-since they'd all stayed up waiting for Percy, Annabeth, Thalia and Grover to get back from Olympus.
Of course, the fact that she'd managed to force herself to let go of the younger boy didn't mean that she felt any better, and as she led in bed she stared at the ceiling, trying to get to sleep.
It didn't take long for her to realize that it was pointless though. Every time she closed her eyes she'd see Nico clambering into the faulty Talos, or she'd see Alabaster's face as she pulled him off of the edge of the cliff.
She wasn't sure how long she stayed like that-at least an hour or so-but when she heard the door of her cabin creaking open she lifted her head to look over at it-the door was open but she couldn't see anyone-then it shut by itself and she pushed herself so that she was sat up.
"Annabeth?"
"I'm here." and Annabeth was tugging her cap off. "Can you sleep?" there was a knowing note to her voice and Percy shook her head, not saying a word as the other girl- who had changed into a pair of fluffy red pyjamas, made her way across the room to perch on the edge of Percy's bed, grabbing her hand and squeezing tightly.
"Do you wanna talk?"
"No." Percy whispered the word, and then Annabeth was lurching forward, wrapping her arms around Percy and hugging her tightly as Percy pressed her face into the older girls shoulder, grabbing onto her tightly.
"Then no talking." Annabeth brushed her fingers through Percy's hair, shifting them both so that they were led down on the bed, Percy's face tucked into the crook of Annabeth's neck and Percy started to cry softly, fingers curling into the fluffy fabric of Annabeth's pyjamas as the other girl just hummed softly.
They stayed like that for a long time, until Annabeth's neck was wet from Percy's tears and until Percy found herself able to speak. I-I'm so-"
"No- no don't even think about it." Annabeth's voice was slightly chiding, "Percy don't you dare apologize. The quest was hard for everyone but it was hardest for you. Alabaster had your mom, you blamed yourself for Leo getting captured, you were forced to pretty much watch your little brother sacrifice himself for you and then you had to keep going even though you were breaking on the inside, and you had to come face to face with Alabaster again- you did amazing Percy you were so so strong. And it's over now and you know Nico is alive and your mom and Leo are safe but that doesn't mean that all of the pain and stress and extreme trauma can't bubble over. If there's one person who deserves to cry right now it's you."
"I love you."
"I know Seaweed brain." Annabeth pressed her lips to the top of Percy's head as she brushed her fingers through soft dark hair. "I know you do. And I love you too, just for the record. Gods I'm never gonna get sick of saying that."
"I was so so scared-"
"I know." Annabeth let out a soft huff, shaking her head, "And I know it's hard. I know you... I know you feel like you have to be strong and not show any weakness but you're allowed to be human. You're allowed to cry with me. I love you Seaweed brain. I'll be here for you whenever you need me."
"I know." Percy whispered the words after a long moment.
"So. Why can't you sleep?"
"I-I keep seeing Nico- seeing him climbing into..."
"Right." Annabeth sighed, "Do you want me to go get-"
"No- no I... he should be resting. He shouldn't have to deal with my issues-"
"Percy you've just spent days believing he was dead and mourning for him. Don't you dare belittle your feelings about that-of course you're terrified he's going to disappear." Annabeth shook her head, "Logic doesn't stop that fear. And Nico wouldn't mind, he'd understand-"
"I can't." Percy shook her head, "I'm sorry Annabeth I really am but I can't."
Annabeth sighed, "Okay. I understand." she brushed her lips over the top of Percy's head. "Well I'm gonna stay with you okay? The last thing you need is to be alone right now. Is it just Nico bugging you or is there anything else? If there was ever a time to talk-"
"I keep seeing Alabaster's face-" she felt Annabeth stiffen. "I keep seeing his face in the moment when I yanked him over the edge. I... I know it's horrible I know it is but... I felt so free. I felt-I felt like it was finally over and I was at peace. I knew I'd die but it was my choice. No one was pulling my strings, no one was manipulating me and I'd finally be able to stop fearing /him/" she shuddered and shook her head, "That probably sounds crazy huh?"
"No." Annabeth's chin rested on the top of Percy's head, her fingers waving through soft dark waves, soothing her. "No it doesn't. After what happened to you in the Underworld it doesn't sound crazy. Of course you were glad it was over. I hate it but I understand. I understand why you chose to fall-"
"It didn't feel like I was falling." Percy whispered, "It felt like I was flying free for the first time in a long time. But now... he's still alive and I'm falling apart-"
"No you're not. This isn't falling apart Seaweed brain. I know falling apart and this isn't it. This is you taking a much needed moment to process everything that happened."
"Thank you. F-for being with me." Percy snuggled in closer, "You're tired too but-"
"Don't be dumb Seaweed brain, you're my girlfriend and I love you, no way was I leaving you alone tonight after everything that's happened."
"Can we just stay like this forever."
"I wish we could but probably not." Annabeth's laugh was soft, "Do you wanna talk some more or do you wanna try and sleep?"
"Can you talk to me about architecture?"
"You're not even remotely interested in architecture why would you want me to bore you to death?"
"I like how happy you are when you talk about it."
"I-" Annabeth let out a breath, "That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard." she shifted slightly, getting them both comfortable, with Annabeth wrapped around Percy and Percy's head resting on the older girls shoulder.
Then Annabeth started to talk, fingers still soothing through Percy's hair as she talked about her favourite places, their designs, what she'd do.
And Percy found herself smiling faintly even as her eyes started to droop and she drifted off into a deep peaceful sleep.
And when, around three hours later Sally and Luke checked in to see if Percy was awake enough to have some breakfast that was how they found the two girls, curled up together, legs tangled, Annabeth in her pyjamas and Percy still in the dress Aphrodite had chosen for her, Percy's fingers curled around the fuzzy fabric and Annabeth's arms wrapped tight around Percy.
Both of them exchanged looks before silently shutting the door again and heading off to breakfast.
It was best to let the girls sleep. They deserved that much.
…
When Percy and Annabeth did emerge, the next day they were instantly pounced on by Thalia, who gave a sly grin.
"Well hello girls. Sleep well did you?" and Percy went bright red as Annabeth rolled her eyes.
"Yes." Annabeth winked at Thalia, "We did."
"I gotta say, when I checked in on you guys after Sally and Luke said you were cuddling I did not expect it to be so cute-"
"It was." Nico popped up from behind them, and Percy resisted the urge to reach out and grab the younger boy into a tight hug. "I took pictures, which I will be using against you at some point-did you know you drool in your sleep-"
"Told ya." Annabeth winked as Percy let out a groan.
"Do you guys have to torment me? Annabeth you're my girlfriend you're supposed to have my back-"
"But you do. It's cute."
"Only you would think that was cute." Thalia was smiling fondly, "How do you guys feel-Chiron said you probably needed more sleep because you held up the sky."
"Yeah that was hard." Percy shuddered at the memory, "But I feel better now." and she really did. A good night's sleep and the hours she spent talking to Annabeth had helped more than she could even begin to explain.
"Well at least you guys are awake now." Nico frowned, "Which is better than Bianca-"
"She still out of it?"
"Chiron says it's normal." Nico gave a weak shrug, "I know I was... I mean if it hadn't been for the fleece I'd have probably ended up asleep for a few days the first time I
shadow travelled so it makes sense. It's just weird being on the other side of it, worrying about someone."
"She'll be okay." Percy reached out, ruffling Nico's hair. "She's strong and she's brave."
"I know." Nico nodded before turning his head when a voice called his name, "That's Kayla- I told her I'd help her wrap the last of her presents for her siblings-"
"Go then." Percy smiled, forcing down the urge to grab him and ask him to stay close. He needed to be allowed to live his own life not to be stuck by her side constantly. "I'll see you later."
"See ya!" Nico was darting off., and Percy stared after him for a long moment before Annabeth's hand on her arm drew her out of her thoughts.
"Seaweed brain, wanna go down to the beach-"
"Actually-" Thalia hesitated, "I kinda wanted to talk with you guys about something."
"Come with us then." Annabeth's voice was firm, "It'll do Percy and I some good to relax on the beach and I doubt anyone will miss you for an hour or so."
"I-" Thalia faltered before nodding, "Sure, sure that sounds okay."
And so the trio headed down to the beach, Annabeth grabbing a blanket on the way which they sat on, Percy and Annabeth side by side with Percy's head on Annabeth's shoulder and Thalia sat just across from them.
Once they were all settled Annabeth spoke up, "So, what did you want to talk about?"
"I.." Thalia shifted slightly, "I need to deal with my past. I... I'm gonna leave camp-not for good and I haven't talked about it with Chiron yet but.. I want... I want to see my mom again-get some closure-" she gave Percy a pained smile, "For that thing I told you about-"
"Oh." Percy's eyes widened, "Oh right of course." she nodded, "I think if it'll help you figure stuff out then you should go for it right?"
"Of course." Annabeth glanced between them, "Do I wanna know what you're talking about though?"
"It's up to Thalia." Percy stated firmly, "She told me some stuff in confidence-"
"I-" Thalia hesitated, "It's not something I like to talk about, I only told Percy because it was right after the Ophitaurus thing."
"Ooh." Annabeth winced, "Yeah, yeah that was probably a tense conversation- I feel pretty lucky that you guys didn't tear each others heads off after that."
"It was pretty tense." Thalia conceded, "But... you don't mind-"
"Thalia it's not up to us what you do with your life." Annabeth gave her a look, "If you're asking if we mind then you're being dumb, why would we mind? You're just doing
what you feel like you have to do there's nothing wrong with that."
"Because you guys are gonna need help-"
"Don't even go there." Percy gave Thalia a serious look, "Annabeth and I can look after ourselves. You can't live your life based on what we want."
"The real question is are you sure you want to go alone?" Annabeth tilted her head slightly.
"I-" Thalia hesitated, "I did have a plan for that. Kind of." she admitted, "I actually realized I wanted to leave when Luke was talking to Sally about how he might go and visit his birth mom. I kinda... It's what got me thinking of seeing where my mom is now so I was considering asking him if I could tag along and he could come with me for my mom."
"That's a good idea." Percy grinned, "It'll probably do Luke some good to get a break as well."
"I'll go and ask him." Thalia seemed incredibly relieved. "What about you two? I mean, what about your dad Annabeth-"
"I don't know." Annabeth glanced at Percy, "I do want to give him a chance... but-"
"Y'know we could still Iris call most days." Percy pointed out, "If you wanted to visit him."
"Maybe- I could maybe I won't make my mind up yet."
"Whatever you choose we'll work things out." Percy pressed her lips to Annabeth's cheek. "I love you."