He knew his time was coming.
He couldn't precisely say how he knew. He just knew that the last few dregs of sand were beginning to drain from the hourglass of his life.
He'd made his peace with it some time ago. One knew when they were reaching the end of their life. Could feel the very life-force draining out of their body. His time was nearing, and he was okay with it.
He'd lived a full life. Against all odds, he'd lived a good life. A longer life than anyone in his circumstance had any right to live.
For most in his circumstances, didn't get the luxury of long life. Didn't get the chance to have children of their own. To have a family, a semblance of a normal life.
He'd been blessed enough to have both.
Though it hadn't come without terrible cost.
War. Bloodshed. Death.
It was ironic, he mused. The start of his life, his real life, had been marred with death. The death of his mother. He'd watched her die in front his own eyes. Watched as her body disappeared from the earthly realm, as it was dragged into the underworld.
He'd once defied death itself, paved a path through that very hell-scape, all to get his mother back.
But he wouldn't do the same this time. Not for himself.
He was tired. Tired, old, and ready.
He'd been ready for so long. Ever since Annabeth had passed.
It had been a good death. A death deserving of their kind. A death achieved my few.
She'd passed peacefully, in the very hospital he now found himself in, surrounded by him, their children, and their wonderful grandchildren.
Perhaps that was why he was not burdened with the fear of death that plagued most mortals. He knew what was in store for him on the other side. Knew what was to become of him. Knew that, once he shut his eyes on the mortal world for good, he'd once again be reunited with the love of his life. With the mother he'd cherished so dearly. With the friends and family, that had been taken far too soon.
He could feel the grip of someone's hand in his own. Blearily, he opened his eyes, and smiled. His eldest daughter, his baby girl, stared back at him. Tears teased at the corner's of her gray eyes.
Her mother's eyes.
His smile grew.
He knew how hard this was for her. How difficult it was for her to accept. He'd been the same when the time had come for his own mother. Shakily, he reached out his wrinkled and gnarled hand, and clasped it gently over hers. Squeezing it with what strength he had. A desperate attempt to give comfort to his loving child, in this, her hour of greatest need. He glanced over he shoulder, and met the eyes of his only son.
He gazed meaningfully at him. His eyes boring into the same emerald irises as his own. He conveyed a silent message to his son. A message to be strong for his sister. To watch over her. To protect their family.
His son nodded shakily. Doing his best to maintain his composure. Percy had always been close with his children, but had been especially close to Jason-Paul.
His grandchildren, mercifully, were absent. He didn't want to burden them with this. Not when they were so young. Not when they didn't need to be burdened with death when they needn't be.
It had been his ultimate wish.
His greatest desire.
To keep his family as far away from his world as possible. To let them live in ignorance. To not believe in the horrors of their world.
He'd needed it desperately.
Perhaps that was why they weren't prepared for it like he had been. Like Annabeth had been. They didn't know what awaited them on the other side.
The unknown was scary, terrifying even.
The life after death, the adventure few dare to explore.
It could haunt a mortal; the unknowing, uncertainty of it all. Perhaps, in that regard, he and Annabeth had been foolish in their endeavor. Foolish to hide their children from what they really were.
But he would do it again.
He knew his wife felt the same.
They needn't be burdened with what they knew.
What they had done.
Percy had done all he could to protect his children, to protect his family. But he couldn't always be there for them. Couldn't always protect them. This was one of those moments. He couldn't protect them, and while it hurt his heart to think of the pain he was forcing on his children, he knew that they were strong.
They were his and Annabeth's children after all.
There wasn't much he felt that they couldn't overcome.
Then, abruptly, all life in the room seemed to come to a sudden stop, as his son and daughter froze in place.
The smell of sea-spray wafted into his nostrils, and he glanced ahead, a wry smile forming on his face.
He hadn't been expecting this little surprise. Though perhaps, it should have been expected.
Even had they been able to move, Percy didn't think his family would have been able to see the man who had materialized out of thin air, at the side of his bed.
"Nice of you to dress up for the occasion." He chuckled dryly.
His father looked every bit the way that he had appeared in Percy's memories. A flowery Hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts, and a pair of dingy flip-flops. The man looked the same as he ever did, the blessing of immortality Percy mused.
"Pretty sure that you're breaking a few rules, being here." Percy observed quietly, though no less pleased.
"I think you, of all people, are the last to be speaking of rule-breaking," His father chuckled deeply, placing a calming hand on Percy's shoulder.
"You're probably right," Percy laughed, before coughing. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what-what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to make sure the process went smoothly," His father said, a strange, bitter expression on his face.
"There's more to it than that." Percy snorted, "Can't bullshit me dad, I got it from you."
Poseidon chuckled deeply, "And you got your attitude from your mother,"
Percy smirked, and Poseidon composed himself,
"It's…it's a little odd, I suppose." He said, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable, "All of my children…I have never had one who lived to die naturally…and I…wanted to be here for you, where I couldn't be there for them."
Percy didn't know how to respond to that. He and his father had never had the greatest relationship, how could they? Divine law itself prevented his father from interfering in Percy's life. But for him to be there for him, here and now…it meant more to Percy than he could describe.
He truly had his whole family with him now.
He was ready.
Sea-breeze passed once more under his nostrils, and he could hear his daughter sniffling again. Poseidon had returned the world to normal, but Percy could still feel the pressure of his father's hand on his shoulder. His reassuring presence indicating that he would be there through the end.
He could feel his time was here. He could feel the pull on his soul. His smiled at his daughter and son one last time. Conveyed all of his love and pride for them as he could.
His daughter was crying, and his brave little boy didn't appear to be too far behind her.
Percy smiled, a sense of peace washing over him, as he felt his father squeeze his shoulder reassuringly.
For the last time, Percy Jackson closed his eyes on the waking world.
And he found his peace.
This submission was a part of an Emerald Library writing competition starting on July 31, 2021. To participate or vote in the competition, you're welcome to join the discord link we have on the profile.
Written by lildrummerboi.