Hey guys, this is my first fanfiction, so I'd really appreciate some feedback! I'm a huge fan of Percy Jackson, and used to read the books all the time when I was younger. The relationship between Annabeth and Percy is fantastic, but I think there could have been more. This story will be told from Annabeth and Percy's POV. Without further ado, here's the first chapter of The Titan's Blessing!
Chapter 1: Broken
Percy POV
I know this sounds weird, but when you're not fighting for your life, everything feels pretty boring.
After saving Annabeth, killing Kronos and holding the entire weight of the sky on my shoulders, it felt almost strange to just lie down on my bed. With Tyson down in Poseidon's forges, hammering away at Celestial bronze to his heart's content, I was more alone than ever. I let my body sink into the mattress, and for the first time all year, I relaxed.
It took a while for me to process what had just happened. Luke, I thought. I'm… I'm sorry. Maybe I could've saved you. Maybe I didn't try hard enough. Or maybe I wasn't a good enough friend. My eyes started to tear up. It's my fault you're dead.
Then I thought about Annabeth. She was so strong and willful. Even when she was down and beaten, she still had the courage to make the right decision. He remembered seeing her bruised face when he found her holding up the sky, and the marks that were left on her palms. He remembered the rage; how he almost lost control right then and there. But more so he remembered watching her cry, as she tried to bring Luke back to the light. There was no saving him; he was too far gone.
I have to talk to her, he thought. Any normal human would've been traumatized. But then again, Annabeth wasn't normal. She was strong; Stronger than anyone he'd ever met.
After a few minutes, I managed to get myself out of bed (which was a harder task than I'd like to admit) and make my way down to the Athena cabin. The camp was emptier than usual, since most of the campers had already gone home for the year, or at least the ones who could. There were a few Ares kids doing sword fighting practice, but other than that the camp felt strangely peaceful.
Annabeth POV
The second I was alone, the tears followed. I was the only one left in the Athena cabin. Most of my siblings were gone by now. I slumped onto the ground, and stared at my knife, my teary-eyed reflection staring back at me. I still remembered the day Luke gave it to me; how scared and lonely I was. He took me in without a second thought, like we were family. My friend, the person… the person I could've loved; the person who sheltered me and taught me everything I know, was gone. Losing him was like losing family.
Then the anger came. Luke had kidnapped her; tortured her, right alongside Artemis. He almost killed her and her friends. She tried to save him; she tried to bring him back to the light. She wanted to believe that there was still hope for him, but that hope had died with him.
It wasn't easy for her to unpack all of this. As a child of Athena, emotions were always difficult for her. She preferred finding logical solutions to problems. Yet, no strategy would save her from her own feelings.
She then thought about Percy. He was always there when she needed him. He was the most kind and loyal person she'd ever met. They trusted each other with their lives. It didn't matter what they faced; because they would always be there for each other. She'd never felt that way about anyone, not even Luke.
I brought myself back to reality, and wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks. I sheathed my knife and stood up. I had to talk to Percy. I just… needed to be with him after all that had happened.
I was about to go find him when a knock came from the front door, almost giving me a heart attack. Bracas meas vescimini! It took me a moment to realize that I had just said "eat my pants!" in Latin, which was somehow the first curse that came to my head. I've been spending too much time with Percy.
I quickly composed myself. I didn't want anyone to see me so broken. I opened the door, and was surprised to find Percy, standing there alone.
Percy POV
When I saw the Athena Cabin, I realized I didn't really know what I was doing. What do you say to someone who just went through something like that? Like, "Hey, how are you doing after being tortured by a physco who used to be your mentor?" or, "I'm sorry you had to watch one of your best friends fall off a cliff. My condolences."
I walked up to her cabin door, and gathered the courage to knock. I heard a voice briefly, before the door swung open.
The second I saw Annabeth, all my fears melted away. We immediately locked eyes. I gazed into her gray pupils, her eyes slightly red. She had been crying. I silently cursed at myself for not coming to talk to her sooner. She needed me, l and I wasn't there. I promised myself I wouldn't make that mistake ever again.
Annabeth POV
My eyes widened in surprise. I looked at him, peering into his sea-green eyes, and immediately burst into tears. Just seeing him reminded me of everything we had been through together. We both stepped forwards and embraced each other. I could feel my loneliness melt away. I was okay. We were okay.
"Annabeth…" Percy trailed, his voice softening. He always knew when something was bothering her. "I'm always here, you know that? Always. To Tartarus and back."
The words were perfect. I didn't know what to say. I pursed my lips, but stayed silent. Although, I hugged him just a little bit tighter.
After what felt like forever, I finally gathered the strength to break away from our embrace. I looked up at Percy, his face calm and kind, but also callused and worn from countless battles. He smiled at me. I almost forgot that Percy hadn't had it easy either. Nobody deserves to have to go through what he has.
Looking at him, I felt a strange feeling in my stomach. His black hair blew in the wind, and his necklace dangled over his chest. Three beads for three years at camp. He smelled just like the ocean breeze, which she had come to love the more she spent time with…
Woah. She snapped out of her trance. What just happened? I haven't felt anything like that since...
My eyes widened, and my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe it, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn't deny it. I liked Percy Jackson.
Percy POV
Almost immediately, Annabeth ran up to me and hugged me. I was momentarily shocked. She usually wasn't much of a hugger, but I knew she was dealing with some personal stuff. I returned the hug, and could feel her crying into my shoulder.
I told her I was there for her, and that I always would be, and that I'd stick with her, through the pits of Tarturus and back. I knew I struck a sore note when her arms around me tightened. What I said was 100% true; I'd sacrifice myself for Annabeth any day of the week.
It took a while, but eventually Annabeth let me go. She stepped back, and we looked at each other for a moment. She was wearing her normal camp half-blood t-shirt and jeans, Her hair was longer than usual, but it looked pretty as it always did.
Annabeth POV
Before the stare could go on for too long, I broke the silence.
"Percy!" She said, with a little too much excitement in her voice, "Um, can we talk tomorrow? I'm kind of exhausted right now, and I still need to clean my cabin."
Percy peered over my shoulder and shrugged. "Looks fine to me." She silently cursed. She had hoped he wouldn't notice that her cabin was actually perfectly clean. She just needed an excuse to buy some time to think.
"But," he continued, "I should probably head back to my cabin. It's getting late, and the harpies aren't gonna be too happy when they find me roaming around the forest."
I could tell that he didn't want to push me any further. The harpies didn't even start patrol this early. But, the truth was, I had almost completely forgotten about Luke and our quest. Right now, all I could think about was Percy.
As he started to walk away, I called out to him.
"Percy… thank you. Seriously, you're a great friend. I'm lucky to have you."
Percy smiled. "You too, wise girl."
I couldn't help smiling back. How could I still be happy after what just happened? Regardless, here I was, the daughter of Athena, smitten with a son of Poseidon. I wonder if my mother would approve. She'd probably smite him if she could.
I closed the door behind myself, and started preparing for another long day.