And so the minific begins!
Percy felt weirdly proud of Annabeth- which was probably stupid but hey, she did. The other girl was doing really well all things considered. She was still struggling with the loss of use of her right hand, but she was adjusting.
The most difficult thing for her was relearning how to do basic things, she'd act out of habit and have to stop herself from trying to grab things.
Of course Jaz and Sally were both doing what they could for her hand, but it didn't seem to be helping much. She still couldn't so much as move her fingers on her own.
But she was trying. That was the really important thing as far as Percy's was concerned. Annabeth was trying to move forward instead of obsessing over what she no longer had. After all it was obvious that things were never going to be the same for her.
And Percy and Piper spent hours with the girl. She didn't talk much about her past. She avoided it. Probably because at this stage thinking about it was hard. Percy had to assume that a lot of her memories were tied with Luke.
Still, she'd actually started eating well, and she was making the effort to recover. Percy and Piper helped her get out of the bed and walk- she tired more easily than Percy liked but it could have been a lot worse and she was getting better every day.
And she asked questions constantly. It was kind of overwhelming at times. Annabeth had a desperate thirst for knowledge. Now that she knew about the Egyptian Pantheon she wanted to learn everything she could- which was fine, really. But she fired out questions so fast that Percy could barely keep up- and Piper always ended up laughing at the look on Percy's face.
Still, she answered them all as best as she could.
And she also read to Annabeth- the other girl found that, along with getting tired easily she struggled to focus for too long when she was reading.
So Percy read to her- and that was very weird- Sadie had fallen over she'd laughed so hard when she'd walked in and heard Percy reading the story of their adventures out loud to Annabeth, who had promptly thrown her pillow at the older girl.
Thankfully Annabeth hadn't been too far from the end of the book.
And of course, Percy hadn't thought it through. She hadn't thought about what was coming up until she was reading the part with her- or Ariadne's, arrival at that beach.
And it was fine- she could deal with the memories, really she could- after all she'd freaking acted it out in front of dozens of cameras for the movies, but still, it took her by surprise. And Annabeth clearly noticed her pause because she frowned.
"Percy? Are you okay?"
"I- yeah." Percy shook herself slightly, pressing her lips together tightly as she stared at the book in her hand, "Just- didn't think." she looked up, and Piper blinked before.
"Oooooh. Oh it's that part. I remember when you were filming that scene-"
"So do I." her mom had been hovering on the sidelines clearly terrified that Percy would freak out or something. Which was understandable but it hadn't been an issue in the end.
"I-" Annabeth frowned, "Is it something bad? You don't have to read it if you don't want to." she said quickly. "I don't want to bring up any bad memories or anything."
"It's fine." Percy said quickly, waving a hand dismissively. "Not a problem. But after this chapter we should probably go on a walk- you know what mom said-"
"If I can walk outside to the dock and back without help I'm allowed to go with you to Greece when you leave tomorrow."
"Yep." Percy popped the P. "And it'd be pretty awesome if you could."
"We're going to visit Delos this time right?" Piper leaned back in her chair, she was plucking at the loose threads of her jeans- they had a rip on her right knee. "And Athens-"
"Yeah." Percy nodded, "I want to see the Acropolis again, go to the Parthenon as well. We'll have to get the ferry to Athens but Carter said he wanted to see it again too so he'll come with us."
"I've always wanted to see the Parthenon." Annabeth's expression was almost yearning, "I really, really hope you mom agrees to let me go with you."
"Well, let's finish this chapter and then we'll go on that walk-" Percy paused, "How's your sling feeling? Comfy?"
"It's fine." Annabeth pulled a face. "I feel stupid with it though-"
"Hey if it helps it helps." Piper waved a hand, "It's just so you don't try and use it and get even more hurt."
"I know. Still feels stupid." Annabeth settled back into the bed and when she looked comfortable Percy started reading again- and soon enough she'd finished the chapter- and Annabeth had her mouth hanging open, her eyes wide as she stared at the white haired girl.
"Wait- wait hang on a second did that-I know you said everything in the books happened but- but did it really happen?" she asked almost breathlessly, her eyes shining with disbelief. "Really?"
"Yep." Percy popped the P. "I did, in fact, force Apophis back into the Duat because I refused to let him hurt my family."
"You're amazing." and Annabeth's eyes looked kind of shiny- Percy felt a stirring of unease- of worry for the other girl. "The fact that- I mean- you nearly died."
"Five month long coma." Percy gave a small shrug, "It was pretty crazy at the time but I mean, it's over now. And like I said, I'd do anything for my family. And I know they'd all do the same for me. Meeting Carter was the best day of my life."
"How did you meet him?" Annabeth asked suddenly, "I mean-I know you're adopted."
"You've never told me either." Piper spoke up suddenly, a curious look on her face.
"Haven't I?" Percy paused, considering that before, "I guess I haven't. It's not that special a story. My step father was a total dirt bag. He hurt me, I ran away. Right into Carter and my dad. I told them a monster hurt me, so dad went to deal with the monster, and he sent Carter and I into a little cafe. We still go there sometimes actually. Anyway, he met mom there, offered to hire her to look after Carter, that way he could help protect me to. And boom, they fell in love, got married and we became the best family ever- give or take a few years and some issues with Sadie."
"Gods this is weird." Annabeth blinked, "I almost called her Senna last time she came in here with Jaz. It's so strange to think that you're- I mean-" Annabeth let out a slightly shaky laugh. "My friend and I spent hours talking about you guys when the books came out. I thought you were the coolest people ever. You were living the sort of life I dreamed of. Having adventures, freedom. And Ariadne was just- I mean, she knew so much and she was so young but she was so smart and brave when she protected Senna and Cyrus even though she was the youngest, just because she was the one who knew what was going on and she felt responsible and it- it reminded me of-" Annabeth cut herself off, shaking her head. "It doesn't matter."
Percy glanced at Piper, and she could see the barely perceptible nod. Clearly the other girl had noticed.
Percy wondered if Luke was involved with whoever it reminded Annabeth of.
But both of them had agreed that they wouldn't be pushing Annabeth. They both liked the other girl and they both wanted to help her but she needed time. She needed to work through it all slowly.
"You're right." Piper spoke up firmly, "I believe we were supposed to be going on that walk right?"
"Right." Annabeth visibly shook herself out of her thoughts and she climbed out of the bed.
She was wearing the typical linen of most magicians- though Percy and Piper had set up a room for her, which should magically provide her some clothes that were her style. The linen was just for while she was in the infirmary, recovering from everything that had happened to her.
But Percy got the feeling that if they could get her there then the trip to Greece would do her a world of good. Just her reaction to the idea of it had been pretty telling. And Percy hoped it would maybe help her open up.
In any case, Piper and Percy hovered close to her as Annabeth carefully pulled on some slip on shoes, and they watched her carefully as the blonde girl made her way out of the infirmary, down the stairs, to the great room and then out onto the metal stairs that led down to the docks.
The two girls stayed very close, ready to help the other girl if she stumbled.
But Annabeth was stubborn- and she had been working very hard- admittedly by the time she'd gone to the docks and then climbed back up the steps she was clearly tiring. Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing was slightly heavy, but there was a determined glint in her eyes as she made her way into the Great Room- and Percy smiled slightly when she spotted her mom and Jaz clearly waiting for them.
"Hey girls." Sally smiled widely, "Carter told me he saw you guys heading down here."
"Can I sit down now?" Annabeth asked, her voice slightly unsteady.
"Of course." Sally nodded, and Percy and Piper instantly held out their arms, letting Annabeth grab at them to steady herself as they helped her over to the couches so that she could sit down.
"You've done amazing." Jaz was beaming at Annabeth, "Really. The damage from the venom that did get in your system is healing up really well. I know it probably feels really horrible right now still but you really are doing well."
"I used to be one of the fittest kids at camp." Annabeth's voice was almost despairing, "Now I can barely get outside and back."
"But you did." Sally piped up, "You've done really well Annabeth. Don't be hard on yourself honey. And I think that, given how much better you're doing you should go upstairs after a little drink and a breather, after all Percy and Piper will need to show you to your room for while you stay here- and that'll be as long as you need, since you're going to want to pack a bag to go to Greece-"
"Really?" Annabeth's eyes widened, "Really? I can go?"
"Yep. I just wish I was going with you kids." Sally gave a wry smile, "Alas your dad wanted to see the twins so I'll be visiting him- and he did send a message Percy. He wants you to visit after you get back from Greece."
"Of course mom." Percy gave a wry smile, "He's gonna want regular check ins for a while."
"I can't believe you're talking about visiting a god so casually."
"Yeah, it's not a big deal or anything." Percy shrugged. "But- I guess things are different with the Greeks."
"You could say that." Annabeth muttered the words, a slight frown on her lips before, "Do- do you think I could visit with you one day? Maybe?"
"Sure. Pipes has visited with me before."
"Of course I have." Piper grinned, "It's so weird Annabeth. Really cool but very weird."
"My dad is blue, Piper says he's why I'm obsessed with all things blue."
"Blue?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by-"
"Blue is the single best color in history and all food should be-"
"PERCY!" the shriek was very loud, and Percy didn't even falter- because she knew that voice, it was Shelby's voice.
The little girl had been with her parents for the week, and Percy looked up- sure enough Shelby was leaning over the balcony of the top floor- she'd undoubtedly just portalled home.
"SHELBY!" Percy called back as Piper started to laugh, and predictably Shelby leaned so far forward that the now six year old girl flipped over the railings.
And really most children would scream at falling from that distance, but not Shelby.
No she let out a loud "Whooo!"
Percy let out a long suffering sigh before thrusting out a hand, "Maw!" and water burst from the floor beneath Shelby and the little girl cackled as she crashed into the water spout, which lowered her gently to the ground, wet and clearly amused before she was sprinting towards Percy and hugging her tightly as Annabeth gaped at them.
"Oh my gods. Is it always like this?"
"Just wait 'til Felix you meet Felix." Piper laughed. "It's always fun."