Percy can't even begin to fathom everyone he lost. Everything he lost.
When he sleeps, he hears their screams, sees their faces, feels every wound. He can't close his eyes because he sees dead bodies in their wake. He visits graves and cemeteries more times a week than he knows.
He knows funeral rites almost better than Nico.
But he has light.
He has his mother, who lights up the world with blue candy, mouth-watering cookies, and a ready smile.
He has his sister, who is so innocent, so purely innocent. So curious to the world.
He has Annabeth, who calms him down when he wakes up in a cold sweat, who steals his cookies, who's always there for him, with a comforting smile or a sarcastic comeback.
Or, he should say, had Annabeth.
It's barely been two weeks, or has it?
He's lost track.
Everything in their house that reminded him of Annabeth is gone. Packed in a box.
That was the one thing he was able to do before letting himself break down.
Nico tries to come, on some days. He tries to offer help, saying that Annabeth is waiting for him.
Annabeth is waiting for him.
Annabeth is waiting for him in Elysium because they finally lost a battle.
An attack on New Rome that Percy just had to go help. He needed to be a hero. He ignored Annabeth's pleas, saying he'll be back before she knew it, kissed her, and left.
She followed him. She pulled him away from the minotaur but got hit in the process.
Percy doesn't remember much after.
He remembers crying. He remembers pleading with her, pleading with the gods.
He remembers telling her that he can't lose her too.
He remembers her smiling, telling him it's okay.
Everyone treats him like he's going to break now.
Like he's glass.
Maybe he is.
He hasn't gone to work since it happened, he only talks to his mom or Nico.
He won't return Grover's calls because goddamnit he can't accept it.
Annabeth, his best friend, is dead.
Annabeth, his partner in crime, is dead.
Annabeth, the love of his life, is dead.
Maybe one day he'll get over it, but today? Today he's going to sit at her grave, with her favorite flower, and tell her about his day.