So... the fourth of my unconnected series of Riordanverse one-shots. Funny how my muse always strikes up in the middle of an online class when I'm secretly scrolling through Pinterest.

"We all have our time-machines, don't we? Those that take us back are memories, and those that carry us forward, are dreams." ~H.G. Wells, New Worlds For Old

"One large glass of rum and coke, please." Percy let out a small whoosh of air as he sat down at the corner table of the local pub. Somehow, he'd managed to go from I-fought-monsters-and-I-am-injured to Everything-hurts-and-I-don't-know-why before he even knew it, something Thalia never stopped teasing him about. He would then retaliate by talking loudly in public as if she were his granddaughter, which annoyed her to end because Damn it, I am older than you, Jackson, don't you dare-

"You don't need to tell me that anymore, Mr. Jackson." The waitress came over with his order on a tray. "Right like clockwork, you are, seven o'clock every Sunday."

"Thank you." He smiled as he accepted his drink. The Lion's Pub in St. Michaels Town in Maryland was a small establishment, with mostly fishermen for patrons, who often came there to relax after a long day of tiring work. There was nothing in the pub except for the bar, and a few tables scattered around where they provided greasy food, mostly fish and chips. Percy used to be one of the fishermen, though he rarely used to drink, memories of Gabe still fresh on his mind. But for some reason, he liked rum, which made Annabeth tease him about his sailor instincts showing.

The fact that he dressed as a pirate that Halloween and took her to a real ship for a date on the sea had nothing to do with it.

Gods, he loved that woman.

He loved the gentle sparkle in her eye whenever she called him Seaweed Brain. He loved the sleepiness in her eyes when she woke up and wasn't thinking of anything, and just curled into his shoulder, making him feel like his heart was about to explode. He loved the small sound of surprise she made when her favorite character in her book died. He loved the lazy Sunday mornings spent in dreamy speculations and gentle jokes.

Sometimes, though, he wanted to be alone, to remember all those who had been lost- his mom, Paul, Jason, Beckendorf, Silena, and so many others... So every week, on Sundays, he would come here, to have a small drink and remember.

But something was different today.

There was a definite chill in the air. Suddenly, the temperature dropped as a figure entered the pub.

None of the pub's occupants seemed to notice the hooded figure as it slowly walked towards him. It was graceful, like a panther, and Percy had a feeling it was just as dangerous as one.

"Perseus Jackson." His voice was just as he remembered: deep and melodious. Thanatos held out a hand for him. "It is time to go."

Percy glanced up at him. His skin was the color of teakwood, dark and glistening. His eyes were honey gold, a little like Hazel's. He was lean and muscular, with a regal face and black hair flowing down his shoulders. His wings glimmered in shades of blue, black and purple. Beautiful was the right word for Thanatos – not handsome, or hot, or anything like that. He was beautiful the way an angel is beautiful – timeless, perfect, remote. "Annabeth?" he asked.

"She will remain behind." Thanatos said softly. "Her time is not up yet."

Percy closed his eyes. He wasn't sure he was ready to die- he didn't want to go just yet, his son Charles was supposed to meet him on Tuesday, and he was bringing little Cassie with him, who was barely a year old. She would never remember her grandfather now.

And, Annabeth...

He could almost hear her talking. Don't you dare die on me, Seaweed Brain.

He remembered all the big things they did, but he loved the little ones. Was that the reason little children are always happy? Because they realize that it is the small things that really matter?

Nights spent eating cereal on the floor, despite there being a perfectly fine table behind them. Going to the movies, just to make out in the last row like teenagers falling in love for the first time. Painting the walls of their house, getting more paint on themselves than the walls, gently smearing it on her nose while she grinned and flicked the brush near his face, sending a spray of paint across his cheek. Going to parties which they ended up ditching in favor of going on long walks on their own in the moonlight, hand-in-hand. Switching on the radio and ending up slow-dancing in the bedroom with an unmade bed and darkness rapidly gathering outside the window.

"Can I talk to my family for the last time?" He asks, but he already knows the answer.

"I am not allowed to make an exception, not even for demigods. Especially not for demigods."

"All right." Percy takes one last swig from his glass. The alcohol makes everything fuzzy at the edges, mellowing the thought of his death. He can feel his spirit being sucked by Thanatos, as if his soul was obeying some invisible command by the god.

He keeps the glass down and sighs as he places his head on the table. "I love you, Wise Girl."

*Throws flowers, remembers that the video cam is on, sits back down* Another one done. Excuse me while I try to find the velocity of efflux or whatever the hell is there on my screen.
Lion's Pub isn't real, I just made it up. Also, I have never been to a pub or a bar, I've only read about them in James Herriot's books, so I have no idea whether you can actually order a 'large glass' of rum and coke (since everyone in James Herriot's stories drinks bitters, but that is an English drink). I literally spent half an hour on google for the first three paragraphs, but I still don't know whether what I have written is right. Bear with me.
Sincerely,
The Science geek giving an Engineering Entrance Test who secretly dabbles in Fanfiction in spare (or not so spare) time,
TheStarkster
PS: I have no idea what the hell I'm doing.