#16 | Unplanned
"Percy?" Annabeth asked softly, going up to him and sitting down next to him in the sand, watching the gentle waves from the Long Island Sound lap the shore. A slight breeze gave them relief from the summer heat.
Percy didn't answered Annabeth and continued to gaze out across the horizon, green eyes distant, his knees pulled up to him, arms resting on his knees.
"Are you going to be all right?" She asked quietly, looking over at him.
"It was all my fault." Percy finally murmured.
"No, don't say that." Annabeth urged. "Things just didn't turn out the way we planned. That happens."
"But if I had just—!" Percy broke off and ran his finger through his hair, letting out a sharp breath.
Annabeth grasped Percy's hand.
"You couldn't have done anything more." She told him, her voice shaking. "It happens. Don't beat yourself up about it."
Percy finally met Annabeth's gaze, his eyes clouded, stormy, filled with so much pain that it made Annabeth's breath catch.
"He died, Annabeth." Percy whispered, his eyes filling up. "He died right in front of me." Annabeth pulled him into her arms, stroking his hair.
"I know, Percy. I know. I saw it too." She whispered, trying desperately not to cry. "Sometimes—" She broke off and took a deep shaky breath, holding Percy closer to her. "You can't save them all."
Thank you for everything,
TheBrightestNight