Chapter I – Annabeth
"We're staying together," he promised. "You're not getting away from me. Never again."
Only then did she understand what would happen. A one-way trip. A very hard fall.
"As long as we're together," she said.
Annabeth sighed as she recalled the conversation which took place moments before Percy and she had plunged into the depths of Tartarus. It had been a traumatic experience; one that they haven't yet fully recovered from – if they will ever. They are constantly plagued with horrifying memories, nightmares and panic attacks, and it has gotten so much worse that they aren't able to sleep peacefully if one can't feel the warmth of the other lying next to them.
Annabeth gazed up at the stars sadly, letting her fingers draw random patterns in the soft sand of the beach, the waves crashing softly against the shore. She heard footsteps approach and a soft thud as someone sat down beside her. She knew those movements so well – as much as her own – and didn't even bother interrupting her gaze to the night sky.
"Bob says hello," Percy said softly.
She nodded sadly, a lone tear rolling down her cheek as she laid her head on his shoulder, taking his scent in which was so similar to the sea in front of her, yet so unique and … Percy. The one who had fallen into Tartarus for her. That stupid boy who she loved with all her heart. She felt guilty that she had been too slow and unable to think as her ankle got stuck, but she knew that Percy wouldn't want her to feel that way. So she swallowed her guilt and focused on making it up to him in every way possible, by staying by his side day-in-day-out.
They spent almost every night like this; reminiscing the memories of their two friends in Tartarus who had sacrificed their freedom and most likely their lives to get them out of that hellhole. They knew that when they went to bed, they would be most likely plagued by nightmares, either way not being able to sleep much. Lying beside each other helped them control not waking up screaming (and thus waking up the whole camp) yet the nightmares still came. The harpies hardly bothered them anymore, leaving them to their space and if they did… well, let's say the two heroes of Olympus know how to handle themselves quite well.
It was past midnight when the couple decided to head off to their cabin. Yes, singular cabin; Chiron reluctantly allowed them to stay in the Poseidon cabin to help with their nightmares.
Contrary to popular belief, they never did anything; Percy respected Annabeth too much for that. They lied down and as Percy wrapped his arms around her smaller frame Annabeth knew that this was where she belonged: Right beside him – no matter what.
Percy had more difficulties dealing with the traumas of Tartarus than Annabeth. If Annabeth wasn't there to calm him down he frequently was on the verge of losing control over his powers. And it didn't help that the phrase "Go to Tartarus!" triggered a lot of panic attacks, resulting in crashing waves, rattling toilets and shaking grounds. They weren't that bad normally because Annabeth was always in reach to calm him down so he could clutch her body like a lifeline, which in a way, it was.
As a result, people often kept more and more their distance from him, for example opting to take sword lessons from Jason, who had stayed in Camp Half-Blood with Piper, instead of him. It somewhat hurt Percy, because no matter how selfless he is, he still took some pride in being one of the best swordsmen around and passing his knowledge to the newer campers. Yet he swallowed his feelings because his friends, and most importantly Annabeth, still stuck around him, and that's what matters, right?
Annabeth of course also suffered from her own attacks, but they were by far less dangerous in comparison. She would end up screaming, yes, and even scaring away some of the newer campers, who looked at her weirdly, not having experienced anything close to what Percy and Annabeth had, but they weren't dangerous. She wasn't dangerous. She would cry into Percy's shoulder as she hugged him fiercely until she finally calmed down and that was it.
It was difficult, leading a normal (as far as "normal" goes for demigods) life in camp like this. And it hurt her pride a lot, letting the campers see her so often in this vulnerable state, her tough exterior cracking more often than she wished for.
Pre-Tartarus Annabeth never cried. Now it is almost a daily occurrence.
And instead of it going the other way, the panic attacks got worse – for both of them.
As a result, they never left the others side, practically being joined by the hip by now. They walked around with Percy's arm around her shoulders and her leaning against him. They even sat together at the Poseidon table and nobody dared to object. In fact, the only time they separated was when they had to go to the toilet or were changing clothes. Annabeth knew it was affecting her work of rebuilding Olympus, which was still damaged from the Second Titan War, but she also found that she didn't care as being with Percy was more important right now. Gods, that seemed so long ago, it's almost as if it were memories from another lifetime.
Annabeth also knew that it could be dangerous being so dependent on each other. They were practically living on borrowed time, only waiting for something bad to happen.
That moment came sooner than expected.
While Percy and Annabeth were sword-fighting in the arena, a young boy of about 10 years came running to them and waited until they noticed him.
"Chiron requests your presence, Annabeth," the kid said panting. "He says it's urgent."
Annabeth nodded in thanks, grabbed Percy and started running towards the Big House. As they neared it, Annabeth could make out Chiron, who was talking with a larger person, which in itself already was a pretty respectable feat, considering that centaurs tend to be very tall. She could see that it was a woman, her long, brown hair cascading down her shoulders. As the woman removed her gaze from Chiron and looked at the couple approaching, Annabeth could make out her startling grey eyes, so similar to hers and she faltered slightly while running. Percy apparently noticed who it was too, as she could feel him stiffen too.
Athena frowned shortly as her gaze fell onto Percy, yet her emotionless, stoic and calm demeanour came back as quickly as it disappeared. The two demigods stopped a short distance in front of the immortals and bowed deeply.
"Mother."
"Lady Athena."
"Rise, my daughter, son of Poseidon." Athena said the god's name with distaste, but it was better than "sea-spawn".
"I must talk to you, alone," she told Annabeth, sending a disapproving glance at Percy.
Percy stepped forward before Annabeth could hold him back.
"No offence, Lady Athena, but I think that anything that concerns Annabeth also concerns me. We share everything with each other."
"I don't think it would be wise to deny a goddess, sea-spawn," Athena said sharply. Welp, there was the expression.
Percy looked like he wanted to say something back but Annabeth held him back, whispered soothing words into his ear and told him not to worry.
"We can handle being a few minutes apart, right?" she said and they laughed. Not because it was funny, but because they knew exactly that they couldn't handle a few minutes alone. She pecked him lightly on the lips and gave him a small, nervous smile before disappearing with Athena inside the Big House.
She followed the goddess to a room with a table and a few chairs.
Athena motioned to one of the chairs: "Sit, Annabeth."
She did as she was instructed to and looked expectantly at her mother, waiting for her to reveal why she wanted to talk to her so she could go back to Percy as quickly as possible.
Athena looked at her sternly.
"It has come to my attention that the reparations on Olympus have been slowed down noticeably, to a point that it almost seems like it has come to a halt," she said. "As the official Architect of Olympus, it is your duty to oversee the construction and make sure everything goes smoothly. I have been lenient with you because I know how the war has taken a toll on you."
Annabeth winced slightly, remembering her trip through Tartarus and trying her hardest, not to succumb to another panic attack. She wouldn't want to look weak in front of her mother, yet she has never wished for Percy to be by her side more than in this moment.
Athena continued, unfazed by her daughter's inner turmoil. "It has already been a few weeks since the end of the war and I believe that was enough time to recover, don't you think?"
Annabeth almost scoffed, because what do gods know about recovery? The demigods, as usual, did all the work and the Olympians only showed up to the final fight and even then, they did it reluctantly. By the gods, world domination and suffering were at stake! Their rule was at stake!
Annabeth has been quite literally to hell and back, and a few weeks were by far not enough to recover from the past year. "Time heals all wounds," goes the saying but Annabeth wasn't so sure of that anymore.
She nodded slowly, motioning for her mother to continue.
"I think that your relationship with Perseus has strained your productivity. You have become too dependent on each other." Annabeth didn't like where this was going.
"That is why I have decided that you should go to Olympus for two days to catch up with the workers and the progress of the construction," Athena said and upon seeing Annabeth's joyous look at the thought of bringing Percy to Olympus she added: "Alone."
"WHAT?" Annabeth exclaimed and jumped out of her seat. "YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS! I WON'T DO IT!"
Athena looked at her sternly. "I may be your mother, but watch your tone, you are still talking to a goddess, Annabeth."
Annabeth forced herself to calm down and stiffly sat back down, her brain already thinking of ways to convince the goddess of wisdom otherwise.
"Mother, I believe it would be a bad decision to split Percy and me. If you haven't known, we suffer from panic attacks a lot after going to Ta- T- … down there. Percy would have difficulties controlling his powers without me if he suffers from an attack and my productivity would be diminished without him by my side. We need each other, mother," Annabeth practically pleaded.
"This is exactly why you should have a break from each other. You can't depend on one another too much, Annabeth. You have to learn to live without him and you can't live in fear of Tartarus all the time."
Annabeth gritted her teeth to stop a panic attack from coming, a single tear rolling down her cheek. She glared at her mother defiantly.
"Don't you dare say something about that place. You don't know how it was there and it would be most unwise to assume something without having all the facts, wouldn't it, mother?" Annabeth snarled.
Athena sent her a warning look. "Be careful, Anna-"
"No," Annabeth interrupted, tears running freely now. "You be careful because you can't be crazy enough to separate me from someone who literally fell down there for me! Are you crazy?! Because I sure think-"
"That's enough, Annabeth," Athena interrupted and Annabeth saw the cold eyes of her mother glaring right at her. "My decision is final. You will start tomorrow at 8 am. You will stay at my palace. Don't forget your blueprints."
"But-"
"This is an order," Athena said sternly and sent her a pitiful look. "Make yourself presentable before you leave. You can't be running around in tears all the time."
Annabeth nodded weakly and averted her eyes as her mother flashed out.
She collected herself and wiped her tears away, before walking out of the room with her head held up high.
AN
So, that was the first chapter! What do you think? I will try to update as frequently as possible and finish the story within the next two weeks. Peace out!