She dug her toes in the sand as he jumped around in the water. She watched him joyfully and still amazed he could have so much fun in water. She smiled. Marine biology would suit him just fine. He flipped his shaggy hair and it stuck over his forehead like headband. He ran up the shore towards her.

"No, no, no, no, no!" she squealed as he dove headfirst and tackled her warm, dry body with his cold, wet one. She gasped as her swimsuit got soaked. He beamed at her.

"Gotta annoy you as much as possible, you know," he said. Thalia lay sprawled on the floor.

"Yeah, I guess so," she reluctantly agreed. Percy gave her a peck on the cheek and then rolled over to get some food. She grabbed a towel and dabbed herself dry. It annoyed her beyond words, but she didn't fight it. She knew she was going to miss it when it was gone. She quietly watched him with her icy, blue eyes. She tried to soak in every detail. She carved in her mind his long, black hair, his sun-kissed skin, his bright, goofy grin. Every aspect of Percy that made him Percy. Everything she was going to miss dearly. She tried not to think of it because it felt like a stab in her gut every time it crossed her mind.

Every night, she would dream of his goodbye. She could already feel his absence, but she kept his smile in mind whenever the impending anger and hatred tried to consume her. He will be happy, and that's what matters most.

"So, what do you want to do now?" he asked, taking a big bite out of his newly made sandwich.

"It's almost night. Maybe we can go for a walk," she replied. He smirked.

"Well, look who became the romantic," he teased. Thalia's cheeks grew hot.

"I mean, why waste a sunset. I'd take a walk with or without you," Thalia added quickly. He raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. His selective silence would also be an annoying part of him she'll miss. He eventually finished his sandwich and got up.

"Ready?" he asked. Thalia stood up and she felt an odd kind of freedom by it. The last time she had worn a bikini, she felt uncomfortable and ashamed by the scar that now permanently decorates her abdomen. It was a bad memory and a bad time, and it made her want to remove her skin. But now… now she accepts it. She could walk in a bikini without the shame and pain, and it was a liberty she hadn't felt for quite some time. They put their stuff inside the cabin and they started walking, side by side. Percy stared out into the ocean, and Thalia wanted nothing more but to listen to him talk about what he was thinking about. She bit her lip nervously.

She looked ahead and judging by the color of the clouds, it would take at least five minutes before the sun disappeared. She took a deep breath and then she made a move Percy had always begun. She reached out for his hand. She kept her eyes ahead to avoid his, but even in her peripheral, she could tell he was surprised by the gesture. His fingers locked tighter with hers and it filled her with warmth. They walked in complete silence; nothing but the sound of the crashing waves. But it was a comfortable silence. No words were needed.

They walked, their hands softly swinging between them, when Percy came to a halt.

"Something wrong?" Thalia asked.

"Yeah," he said. Thalia started to panic. Had she done something wrong? Did she squeeze his hand too tight? Should she have done something differently? He turned to her and his eyes held sadness.

"I'm going to miss this," he said softly. He stared at their hands as if he was already picturing her letting go. Thalia relaxed.

"Me too," she said. She stepped closer and got on her tip-toes, and kissed him. She let go of his hand to wrap her arms around his neck. He kissed back, and then he stopped. Thalia looked at him curiously and then he slipped one arm under her knees and picked her up bridal style. She didn't normally like being held, but for tonight, she made an exception. He carried her to their small cabin they had rented for the weekend. Giggling, they made it through the door and he dropped her on the bed.

"Ooh!" she laughed as she bounced on the springy bed. She opened her arms and Percy climbed on top of her and into her waiting arms. She could feel his hands running up and down her body and it gave her goosebumps. She could feel his muscles rippling under her hands. She reached the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. His hair stood up and she couldn't help but laugh. He shut her up with a kiss until it was his turn to laugh at the tan lines her bikini had left.

She turned him over so he didn't have to strain not to crush her and she pressed her body to his warm chest. For tonight, she wasn't going think. She wasn't going to try and do what might be right. Tonight, no one else exists. Tonight, it was just them.

She was curled under the sheets with the sun in her face when she picked up a different sound among the sound of waves. It sounded like a guitar. A guitar? She didn't remember packing one and she didn't remember seeing Percy bring his. She blinked into the sunlight as the song continued. She rolled over to see Percy watching her.

"Morning," he whispered. She was going to reply, but the sight of him left her speechless. He was resting on his elbows, with the sheets right at his waist, the lowest it could go without something else being visible, and he had the cutest case of bedhead. His back curved flawlessly, and his tanned skin glowed in the morning sunlight. She kept hearing the music, but Percy was obviously not playing the guitar… and then words joined the peaceful sound.

The dawn is breaking; a light shining through. You're barely waking, and I'm tangled up in you. He smiled at her and she was already wrapped around his finger within the first few seconds.

I'm open, you're closed. Where I follow, you'll go. I worry I won't see your face light up again. She scooted towards him and he raised his arm to give her the perfect little spot to place herself. She closed her eyes, breathed in his salty scent, and listened to the song.

Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the wrong words seem to rhyme. Out of the doubt that fills my mind, I somehow find you and I collide.

I'm quiet, you know. You make a first impression. I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind. Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the stars refuse to shine. Out of the back you fall in time, I somehow find you and collide. Don't stop here. I've lost my place. I'm close behind.

She opened her eyes and looked up at his green ones. They were so soft, they were like a calm sea she was perfectly okay drowning in. Her heart started to beat fast and she could feel his under her palm. Everything in this moment was perfect and she could feel something barging through her; breaking down every wall as it marched forward. It disregarded the wreckage it was leaving behind and it left her absolutely breathless.

"Percy?" she whispered.

"Yeah?"

Her body shook and she was sure she would fall apart or disappear if he wasn't here to keep her in one piece.

"I love you."

You finally find… you and I collide.