"In...Kansas? We're taking the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome to Kansas?" Annabeth exclaimed, her eyebrows shooting up to the heavens. She was sitting straight up, with a notebook in front of her. A dropped pencil lie untouched on top of the worn out pages.
"What's wrong with Kansas?" Percy asked, "I like Kansas. Lots of grain in Kansas though, I think. That schist isn't cool."
"Schist?" Leo questioned.
"Hazel knows," was Percy's only reply.
"Cut it out, boys," Chiron sighed, exasperated. "And as for you Annabeth, Kansas is in the center of the U.S., a perfect place to act as a home for demigods, Greek or Roman. Geographically, it also makes more sense to have a camp in the epicenter of America versus on its shores."
"But, Chiron," Annabeth protested, "it's Kansas."
"Nonsense, Annabeth, we've already bought some land and we'll start work on the area as soon as Olympus is fully restored."
"Olympus still isn't restored from the Second Titan War," Annabeth said, tired already, "This is too much, Chiron. Even I can't handle all of this work!"
Chiron's eyes softened, "I do understand, but you are most qualified to complete this task. And, you'll have the rest of the camp behind you."
"What about Camp Jupiter?" Jason asked, gripping Piper's hand tighter. "What will they be doing?"
Chiron pursed his lips, "Camp Jupiter is having a few...domestic problems," he managed, "I'm not really in the position to say anything, but that does lead us to our other topic." Chiron glanced at Percy briefly, his arm around Annabeth, but looked away soon after. "The Romans are lacking a praetor, and any candidates that step up are either unqualified or, erm, un-liked."
"Octavian?" Jason asked with a roll of his eyes.
"Probably," Percy shrugged.
Piper bit her lip, "Does that mean Jason is going back to Camp Jupiter?"
"No, no," Chiron reassured, glancing at the logo on Jason's chest, "Jason has made his decision and the Romans have accepted it - albeit with a pinch of salt."
Jason looked away, "Sorry, but I'm not...sorry."
"Not your fault, m'boy," Chiron said, turning instead to Percy. "But you Percy, you are still, technically, the second acting praetor for New Rome."
"What about Frank?" interrupted Leo, "Frank was the praetor for a while, right? Can't he take up the position again?"
Chiron shook his head, "Frank is busy as a centurion. As great of a warrior as the son of Mars is," Chiron continued, "he has stepped down."
"Probably from the paperwork," Jason commented, "There is a lot of paperwork."
"Be as it may," Chiron spoke, "Reyna is in need of a partner. She needs to know whether Percy is willing to return to New Rome or to start another election. The former is preferred."
Annabeth frowned, "An election can't be that troublesome," she reasoned, "I'm sure there are plenty of qualified individuals in New Rome."
Percy shook his head, "Octavian would be plotting his head off. In politics, that augur is more dangerous than you would think."
"And," added Chiron, "the boy doesn't have experience. Not a good fit for such a position. But the decision is entirely up to you Percy."
Everyone's eyes were drawn to the teen. Percy fidgeted and scratched the SPQR tattoo on his left arm. The boy met Annabeth's eyes before looking away. He glanced at all the camper's faces, lingering on Jason with just a hint of desperation. Twiddling his thumbs - a habit he had never quite broken - he took a deep breath.
"I'll do it."
"Percy -" Annabeth started, but he cut her off.
"No big deal," Percy said, "Just for a couple of months, probably. Just until someone comes up who can take the position."
The silence in the room was palpable.
"Um, so what is this about Kansas, Chiron?" Piper asked, shooting Annabeth a worried look. The daughter of Athena was stoic. "Did we buy a hayfield or something?"
Annabeth shook off Percy's arm and sunk down in her seat.
Annabeth picked up another rock and brought her hand back, winding up for a pitch. With a step forward, she whipped the rock into the lake and it sailed across the water's surface. The splash it made reflected all the colors of the vibrant sunset sky, oranges, violets, and yellows rippled around the center. She bent to pick up another one before she heard the gurgling of oxygen rising to the surface. Half-heartedly, she tossed the pebble into the bubbles.
"The fish are complaining, you know," he said as a greeting, submerged waist deep in water.
"Yeah, well, you're not."
With a sigh, Percy rose from the water, completely dry, and plopped down next to her. He grabbed her wrist, and with a gentle tug, Annabeth complied and sat down next to him. Pulling the blonde close to him, Percy mumbled into her hair, "I'm leaving in a couple of days."
"I figured."
"Come with me to pack?" he asked, looking out towards the sunset.
Annabeth said nothing, choosing instead to gaze at his rigid jawline, long eyelashes, and curved nose.
"I'll take that as a no," he said, his tone somber. But as he stood up to leave, Annabeth went with him. Without a word, she fell into step beside him.
He gave her a tiny smile that she barely returned.
The cabin was neat and tidy. Worn camp shirts hung from the closet and the bunks were made. Every single one of them.
"Tyson been in here lately?" Annabeth asked. She remembered Percy telling her that he would sleep in all the bunks before even contemplating making them. A perfectly imperfect system, he had called it.
"What? No, Tyson's busy in the forges. Dad needs a lot of help down there. A bit short-handed, I think is what he said," Percy replied, rummaging for his duffel bag. He scrunched his eyebrows as he reached under his bed. Making a sound of disgust, he yanked his arm out right away. "I'll need to clean that…" he murmured under his breath.
Annabeth raised a brow, "You cleaned this room?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
"To be honest, yes."
"Well then you're wrong," he paused for a moment, "Gods, I never thought those words would come out of my mouth."
"Seaweed Brain," she chided affectionately.
They were silent for a little bit longer, the only noise was the ruffling of blankets and sheets as Percy looked for his duffel bag. Annabeth spotted it in the corner, by the door as soon as they walked in, but didn't mention it.
"Percy," she said quietly, but Percy heard.
"Hm?"
"Don't go."
Percy paused, letting go of the blanket being held above his head. The voice Annabeth had used broke his heart. The softness. The slightly higher pitch. Percy fell back onto the bunk, letting the mattress envelop him.
"I have to Annabeth, the situation at Camp Jupiter has to be bad if Reyna is asking for help."
"You don't have to, Percy," Annabeth rebutted, "New Rome was fine before you arrived and it'll be fine now." Her gaze trailed towards the SPQR and the trident burned onto his forearm. "You want to."
"No," Percy replied, shaking his head, "at least, not for work. You know that. But I have responsibility to the Romans. Frank, Hazel, Reyna, they're my family now. Just as much as the Greeks are." He headed for the door, and Annabeth's heart caught for a moment. Then, he reached for his duffel. But that was enough for Annabeth.
She clenched her jaw, "You refer to the Greeks as if you aren't one."
His eyes widened marginally, "Not intentionally! Never intentionally," he stated quickly, "I'm not good with words. Seaweed Brain, right?"
"Maybe you should take some lessons from Octavian."
"Annabeth -"
She stomped her foot, fully aware of how childish she was being, "You didn't even protest! You didn't even look me in the eye! Your hero complex is outrageous Percy. I thought you wanted peace, a happy ending." Her glare was frightful, burning into Percy like the fires of Tartarus itself. As she paced around the cabin, Percy's eyes followed her sorrowfully, but made no move to stop her.
"Annabeth -"
She suddenly turned towards him, "You promised, Percy!" she said, her voice echoing with un-released sobs, "You promised."
"I did! But this isn't permanent, Annabeth," he argued, Percy's voice rising in volume, "I'll come back. I've always come back, haven't I?"
"But you've always wanted to stay!"
"Wha-? No I haven't!" Percy denied, a little too quickly for Annabeth's liking.
"Don't lie," she growled quietly, "During the Titan War, you wanted to stay holed up in Manhattan, with Rachel and your mom and your mortal friends. You wanted to run away."
"But I-" Percy tried, futilely.
"And before then, on Ogygia, you wanted to stay. I know you wanted to stay. But you felt obligated to come back," Annabeth continued, looking him dead in the eye. "If this life has taught me anything, Percy, is that if you feel obligated to do anything, then you probably shouldn't. Because do you know what the feeling of obligation really is, Percy?"
"No I-"
"Obligation is just another form of guilt."
At this point, there were tears streaming down Annabeth's face, but she didn't seem to care. Percy took a step towards her, stopping as Annabeth backed up. A look of inexpressible hurt passed across his features, and Percy opened his mouth to speak.
"They need me, Annabeth. Obligation or not, they need me," he whispered, his fist clenching at his side. Glancing at his set jaw, Annabeth took a shuddering breath, chiding herself for breaking down like she was.
"But I need you too," she admitted in a desperate act, tossing her hubris out the metaphorical window. Percy's eyes shot open, and he dropped his bag.
"Annabeth… I-I'm sorry."
"Just, tell me Percy," she said, her stormy eyes not quite working with her shattered look, "Why do you feel guilty?"
"I'm not," he said, his green eyes shadowed with sorrow, "It's not that big of a deal Annabeth! It's just a couple of months. You're making it seem like I'm walking to my death."
Annabeth closed her eyes and muttered a few undecipherable words.
"Annabeth?"
Her eyes snapped open, "I said, that if you want to go to New Rome so badly," she growled, her posture wide and prepared for a fight - or could it be flight? "Then go."
"Wise Girl," he murmured, "Don't do this."
"I'll do whatever I want," she yelled, "Go! If you want to go so badly, then go!"
"It's my cabin, Annabeth!" Percy yelled back, "I don't have to go!"
"Go!" she insisted, pushing Percy by his shoulders. "Leave! But don't come back! Don't you dare come back!"
"Fine! I'm going! Going. Gone. Whatever!" He turned and reached for the doorknob. With only a slight hesitation, he shoved out and slammed the door behind him.
Annabeth stood in the empty room, her heavy breaths and quiet sobs the only sound around her.
Erm, a warning for all of you guys. Is this a Percabeth story? Kinda, but keep in mind. Not all stories have happy endings.
.Dun.
