Hello friends! Shorter chapter today, but I hope you guys like it anyway. :)

•

September 14th, 1775

Percy wiped the sweat from his forehead wearily. The constant din of animals and the mixed scents of sweat and dirt baked under the hot sun combined into an overwhelming environment, but Percy didn't really have much choice.

He waved his arms. "Bring that load over there! No, am I pointing in that direction? Over there!"

The confused-looking shepherd obliged, driving the herd of bleating sheep to the edge of the dirt road. The Neck was crowded with people, animals, and wagons today, and Percy and a few other officers were in charge of overseeing the deliveries.

The deliveries. Over the numerous months since the harbor was closed and the Neck guarded, Boston had received very little food and other necessities, but word of the city's plight had begun to go around. Colonies all over the coast had begun sending gifts—rice from South Carolina, animals from the surrounding countryside, sugar from Georgia, and everything else Percy could have imagined from all the other colonies—and supplementing Boston's meager supply of food and provisions.

It was incredible. It really was. The generosity of people all over the coast—Patriots and Loyalists alike—to a city of innocent men, women, and children they had never even met was astounding.

However, it also meant that many people were required to stand in the hot sun all day, directing the loads of food and animals as they came through the Neck.

Squinting in the sun as he directed a wagon, Percy was so focused on the grueling task at hand that he didn't even notice a head of blond curls bounce into his field of vision until he turned around.

"Hello," Annabeth greeted him. Percy just beamed at her, taking her in—her cheeks, rosy and flushed from the sun; eyes bright and sparkling, despite the dust; blond curls mussed and sweaty.

It really didn't matter how many times he saw her; she never failed to make him catch his breath.

"Hello," he said softly, stepping toward her and all-too-aware of his fellow soldiers' conspicuous gazes on them.

Dammit, he really wanted to kiss her.

He restrained himself, though, for simply touching her cheek gently. Her eyelashes fluttered down, and there were freckles on her cheekbones.

"I brought you some dinner, if you can take a break?" she offered, swinging a woven basket that was covered by a cloth in her hands.

Percy's mouth watered; he hadn't had time to eat before he left early that morning. "I shall be back in a few minutes," he called to one of the other soldiers, before following Annabeth down the path. They walked for a few minutes, and Annabeth chattered about something she had been reading, and Percy just gazed at her adoringly as she talked.

They reached a little section of grass, far enough away from the bustling road to be somewhat private, but not too far. "So, what did you bring me?" Percy asked, taking off his bright red coat and laying it on the grass, allowing Annabeth to sit on it primly.

"Leftover biscuits from breakfast, and some ham from dinner last night," she said, unpacking the basket and handing him his dinner, wrapped in a napkin. Percy started eating hungrily.

Annabeth leaned her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and basking in the warmth of the sun. Percy glanced down as he chewed his biscuit.

So. He and Annabeth were courting now.

It had started the night of his birthday, and the events that escalated from there. The next morning, Percy had asked Annabeth's father if he could begin courting Annabeth, and Mr. Chase had amiably agreed.

Percy knew that most couples didn't court for very long, instead choosing to get married as soon as possible, but. He was only twenty, and Annabeth eighteen. While he knew that many girls got married far earlier—some thirteen and fourteen—he also knew that Annabeth didn't feel ready for marriage, and he would never do anything to push her into something she was uncomfortable with.

Not to say he didn't want to marry her, though. Percy would have gone to the priest within the hour, if Annabeth gave him the word.

She was his world, his best friend, his other half. The words he had spoken only a few months ago—when they weren't even courting—rang true every time he looked at her, every time she laughed.

He loved her.

"And so I was hoping that both Bobby and Matthew would enjoy reading, but Matthew seems to be a bit more of a book lover than his brother," Annabeth chattered on.

He pressed a swift kiss to her temple. "I love you, you know that?" he murmured into her skin.

She glanced up at him, surprised, but her eyes were bright. "I love you, too, idiot," she said, fond.

Percy glanced back up at the road as he stood up. "I should probably get back to work," he admitted, helping Annabeth to her feet and pulling on his dusty coat again. "Walk with me?"

Annabeth took his arm primly. "Certainly," she said.

As they reached the road, Percy did a double take. "Leo?" he hissed, pulling Annabeth with him as he walked briskly to where a slim farmer, wearing a large straw hat, walked near a wagon.

Leo turned to them, his face lighting up with a bright grin, and Percy got a vivid flashback of the last time they had seen him: riding out of Boston in the middle of the night on a horse, swearing that he would return for Calypso, the girl who had helped rescue him.

"My friends!" Leo called, hopping down from the wagon and trotting toward him, smiling from ear to ear. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Percy asked, spreading his hands. "Leo, this is dangerous. What if someone recognizes you?"

He smirked at them. "I'm not going into the city, Jackson. My friend here—" he gestured to the wagon, where another young man waved at them from the seat, holding the reins boredly. "will be bringing our load into the city, and then pick me up again here on the way back."

Percy nodded, satisfied. "So how have you been?" he asked eagerly. "What have you been doing, since you escaped?"

"I've been in Virginia. Williamsburg, to be exact," Leo supplied, tapping his fingers restlessly on his sweat-soaked linen shirt.

Annabeth, still holding Percy's arm, jumped into the conversation. "Really? I was in Williamsburg last spring. What have you been doing?"

"Mostly carpentry work at first, but recently I was hired at a blacksmith's shop, and the owner's taking a liking to me," Leo said. He looked like he was trying to be nonchalant about it, but Percy could see the happiness and hope beaming in his dark eyes. The hope for a future, the hope of a new life.

Annabeth nodded. Percy, distracted, watched her curls bounce. "Stay safe, Leo," she whispered, taking his hand and squeezing it.

Leo's bright grin faded, and he grasped her hand solemnly. Percy knew that despite his cheerful gaze, Leo knew the consequences and risks of the war. If just one person recognized him, if just one person had known him before he left…

Percy shook the young man's hand vigorously. "Godspeed on your travels back to Virginia," he told him.

Leo nodded, the grin returning to his face. "Thank you both. I owe you my life."

Percy smiled. "We were happy to do it." They waved farewell, and Annabeth took Percy's arm again as they walked.

"I'm happy for him," she said, kicking dust up as she walked. "He has a whole new life now—a job, a home."

"I wonder if he ever went back for Calypso," Percy murmured, half to himself.

Annabeth shook her head. "I doubt it. Going back into the city would be hugely dangerous for him; even if he wanted to, I don't think he would even have a choice."

Percy sighed heavily. "I wish we could have done something to help her, you know?" he asked quietly. They had almost reached the other soldiers, clad in their sweaty, crimson coats, and Percy lowered his voice. "Being trapped in a situation like that…"

Annabeth squeezed his hand. "There was nothing we could do," she reminded him softly. She leaned up and kissed his cheek swiftly. "I'll see you tonight?"

He nodded, smiling. "Farewell."

Percy watched her as she walked down the road, wistfully wishing he could follow her. His thoughts were interrupted by a large hand clapping on his shoulder.

"Come on, man! Back to work!" one of his fellow soldiers bellowed, fat face red from the heat.

Percy sighed, turning around and beginning to direct the hordes of loaded wagons and animals. Back to work, indeed.

•

Later that night, Percy chuckled as Annabeth began shoving food into her mouth. They were at a tavern for supper that night, and he was sweaty and dusty from his exerting work at the Neck all day.

"What? I'm hungry," Annabeth protested. Her voice was muffled by the food in her mouth, which made Percy laugh harder.

He raised his hands in surrender, grinning. "I didn't even say anything!"

She scowled at him, as she chewed a bite of bread. "You were thinking."

"According to you, I don't think very much, so technically that's an improvement," Percy pointed out.

She stomped on his foot under the table, her nose wrinkling in a scowl. Percy thought she was adorable.

"That was such an intelligent argument, right there," he said, eyebrows wiggling. Annabeth's answering glare was probably hinting that he was asking to be hit, but.

Annabeth finished chewing her bite and opened her mouth to reply to his teasing, a smile flitting on her lips, but suddenly a shout came from outside. Percy glanced towards the window and saw a large crowd gathering.

He looked back at Annabeth to see her brow furrowing. "I wonder what's happening."

Percy shrugged and got up from his seat. "Only one way to find out," he said.

He took Annabeth's arm and together they went outside, into the warm, dusky air. It was a beautiful night; the sky was still alight from the magnificent sunset, and the air was warm and sweet, with just a hint of chill to remind him that autumn was coming—and soon. The last throes of summer hung in the air, as though waiting for winter to come chase them away.

He followed Annabeth out the door, and what waited for them was a nightmare.

A large crowd, growing bigger by the second, surrounded a throng of British soldiers, and they encircled a man, bruised and bloody, like he had been beaten.

Percy felt sick. He knew what this meant—the soldiers had captured a deserter or a spy, and were now taking him to the town square to be executed. He wondered if he knew the unfortunate man; if he had seen him at camp, or talked to him on an assignment or training. The group of soldiers drew closer to where he and Annabeth were standing, until the crowd had pushed them only a few feet away.

Next to him, Annabeth let out a horrified gasp. "Percy—look. It's—"

Leo Valdez raised his head, blood streaming from his nose and dripping off his chin in dark droplets, and his face dark with bruises.

Percy closed his eyes. So he had been caught—so Leo hadn't been as careful as he should have been, so he had entered the city and been recognized.

The soldier currently holding Leo's arm glanced over and saw Percy. "Jackson, get over here and hold this scum for me," he barked.

Percy glanced around and scurried over, Annabeth following him. "Leo, what did you do?" he hissed, quiet. "How did you get caught?"

Leo raised his head, looking a little dazed at their sudden presence. "I made a promise," he rasped, "and I intended to keep it."

Percy closed his eyes wearily. "You went back for Calypso?"

"Leo," Annabeth breathed. Percy glanced over, saw tears running down her cheeks. He felt like crying himself, but he held his own tears back.

"I was helping her leave, but her father saw me, recognized me. He brought me to the camp, and I was arrested and sentenced to—sentenced to death, for desertion," Leo continued.

"I told you not to enter the city!" Percy snapped, his vision blurry from tears and his voice a little choked. "Dammit, Valdez, you had a life, a new life and a home and a place to work. You had freedom to live, and you came back—for what?" He spread his hands. "To get caught? To die?"

Leo's gaze was unfocused, looking at something behind Percy. Percy glanced back, and saw Calypso, standing inconspicuously on the edge of the crowd. She was pale and silent, and tears made their way down her marble cheeks as she watched the spectacle.

Percy turned back to Leo abruptly. So she knew. Calypso knew there was nothing she could do, nothing he and Annabeth could do.

"I had to try," Leo said, fierce. Then softer—"I had to try."

Percy shook his head. "I am sorry, my friend. Sorry it had to end this way, sorry I am unable to do anything—"

"'Tis not your fault," Leo replied, his words a little slurred from the cut on his mouth. "I made my choice."

Annabeth was sobbing now, as she reached down and took Leo's hands. "Goodbye, Leo," she said, voice choked.

Leo's face softened a little. "Goodbye, Miss Chase. Thank you for everything you did for me."

She nodded and pulled back, blinking back her tears.

The soldier from before came back and pulled Leo roughly to his feet. Percy took a step back, and pulled Annabeth into his arms. The large crowd surged forward as the soldiers tied Leo to a post in the middle of the square.

The drums started. Percy knew, when they stopped, the firing squad would let loose.

Annabeth was sobbing openly now. Percy, blinking back his own tears, pulled her closer, turned her face away from the awful sight.

The drums stopped, and the six men fired, the shots echoing in the air. Leo's body hung limp against the pole, and the crowd went eerily silent.

Percy hugged Annabeth against him, felt her tears soak through his shirt and her shoulder shaking with silent sobs. They didn't even know Leo that well—just a few days altogether, really. But his death was just another nail in the coffin, another personal vendetta they held against the king: a king who would execute people for wanting a new life, a different life—

"I hate them," Annabeth's voice, soft and muffled, came from where her face was pressed into Percy's chest. "I hate them, Percy, I hate them—"

Percy rested his chin on her head. "I know, 'beth." He closed his eyes. "I know."

•

And that's that! Thanks to Helena (GollyGeeWhiz) for betaing this and doing a terrific job (like always).

Also, to TheClassicWeirdo [guest] who asked who some of my favorite fanfics are… okay, so obviously anything my baes Helena (GollyGeeWhiz) and Mia (herecomesthepun) are absolutely lovely, so I would recommend checking out their stories. I also really love Impossible Year, by Bananannabeth, and I've Got a Boy by flyingcrowbars. Stucco Hearts by writergirl8 is incredible, and would it really kill you (if we kissed) by greenconverses (on AO3) is honestly just amazing, even though it's not finished yet (I think she's planning to update it relatively soon, so stay tuned for that on her AO3/tumblr!) Those are just the tip of the iceberg though, really—basically just go through my favs list; I don't save anything corny or weird, and all the ones on my favs list are definitely things I would read again/recommend to anyone looking for an amazing story.

Thank you to all of you guys for reading, and please leave a review! :)

WM