Chapter 30

Percy filed in some paperwork for a new project that was going on. His phone buzzed and he picked it up to see if it was Annabeth. It wasn't. It was his dad.

"Hi, Dad?" he said picking up his phone.

"Percy, we have to go to California."

"Why? What happened?"

"Athena passed away. We're going to her funeral." His dad's voice serious and low.

On the plane ride there, Percy was full of worries. He sent her a billion messages, but he knew she wasn't going to since she was probably too busy with the funeral preparations to look at her phone.

Thalia had stayed in New York, because Nico didn't want any risks with the baby when flying. Though she really wanted to come.

Crystal was in Florida so she couldn't make it to his great relief. He still hated her though her father claimed that she was a better person.

Anyways, tomorrow was the funeral and his heart was permanently on pause knowing that he was going to see Annabeth soon— not to be dramatic or anything. Three months were way too long to be away from her. They had skyped and whatnot, but that wasn't sufficient enough for him, no matter how clingy he might sound by saying it. He thought about her every second his mind wasn't occupied by work or a meeting. Everything reminded him of her. The library, another blonde person, the grey sky.

It was complete and utter torture and he wanted it to be over very soon.

Percy woke up in the morning and put on his suit blazer over a clean white shirt and slipped on a tie not too loosely around his neck. He stuck with some dark slacks for pants.

Looking in the mirror, he decided to leave his stylishly messy like it always was.

Poseidon already left to the funeral.

So, Percy slid his phone into his back pocket and left the hotel room.

She was standing beside where the grave was. The funeral was over and Percy came up beside her— his eyes never leaving her. He hadn't stopped looking at her since he saw her again, standing in front of her mother's burial ground.

She looked incredibly beautiful as ever but also completely worn out. Her hair was tied back in a mid low pony tail letting a few strands escape and curl against her cheek. She was wearing a simple black dress which hugged her curves very attractively— and that was the extent to which Percy dared himself to go. He was filling with self hate by the minute- she was mourning and he was eyeing her like a beast wanting to eat her alive.

He let out a sigh, clearing away his thoughts before wrapping his arms around her like he always did as her brother. When they were little, he would simply hug her when it was one of those very rare occasions that she was crying. Though, right now— Annabeth wasn't crying. She definitely wasn't happy. She just looked confused—like she was conflicted about something. And he just wanted to make everything better.

Her eyes lifted up to his. Those grey, striking eyes, making him want to fall deep into them. They carried such beauty and confidence, tinted by the confusion he noticed before.

Her face was emotionless for a second, which scared Percy. Then she let out a sigh and hugged him back, making him smile big. He tightened his hold on her and buried his lips to the top of her head, taking in her lovely scent for the first time in weeks, months.

It had been way too long since he last held her and he wasn't going to let go very soon.

He pulled away slightly so he could look at her.

"Hi." he said to her.

Annabeth smiled up at him and gently curled her fingers around his tie, "Hey."

"How have you been?" He asked as if in casual conversation, knowing Annabeth didn't need any condolence from him.

She smiled a bit wider, "I'm doing the best that I can be."

Percy looked straight into her eyes. He always knew when something was up with her. It was in her eyes. She hides it well. But he just knows her better.

And yet he said nothing at the moment. She just looked too worn out by everything, he didn't want to overwhelm her.

Everybody had soon gone and said their byes and their 'I'm sorry for your loss' words to Annabeth.

A dirty blonde haired girl went up to Annabeth and spoke to her with her hand reassuringly on her shoulder, "I'll be out for the night so don't wait up. You're going to be okay with that, right?"

"That's fine, Silena. Go first. I'll be okay."

The girl nodded and left. Some asian dude came up to her- a bit too closely for Percy's comfort- and expressed as much consolation as he could give to her. She smiled at him before he looked at Percy and held out his hand, "Ethan Nakamura."

Percy complied, "Percy Jackson. Nice to meet you."

He nodded and left them.

Annabeth looked back up at Percy. "I'm glad you came."

"Me too."

She smiled back slightly and wrapped one hand around his neck, her every touch making his knees grow weaker by the second.

He then noticed the weariness in her eyes, "You look like you want to be alone for some time."

She nodded, "You know me way too well."

He chuckled and leaned down to kiss her cheek, "I'm letting you go, but only for a little bit."

She gave him a tired smile, nodding at him again, "Thanks, Percy."

He smiled back, "Of course." he said.

Annabeth stood in front of her mother's newly buried grave— her face sullen.

Her mother's last words to her had haunted her ever since.

She wanted her to just be happy?

Annabeth definition of happy was the complete opposite of her mother's, which is why they clashed so often.

Athena's thoughts on happiness related greatly with success and reputation. Annabeth knew that all too well.

But what did her opinion on happiness matter anyway? Athena's death wish was for her to be happy in the way that she wanted and Annabeth wanted to respect that, because… to be honest, her death had taken a greater toll on Annabeth— more than she would have liked to admit. Athena was cold hearted and strict, but she had always been her stronghold. Athena loved her and Annabeth was more sure of it the last time she talked with her before she had passed away.

This was all true, but... then… Percy... He fit nowhere in her mother's idea of happiness for her. Her mother had wanted them separated very badly and if she hadn't been sick, Annabeth knew Athena would have gone to extremes to break them apart.

Yes, of course, she wanted Percy. She wanted him so much. But, Annabeth felt her feelings of wanting to be happy in her own way was being selfish and… just wrong right after her mother died.

She needed to consider her mother's wishes, no matter how hard they were to uphold.

— Her mother's dying wish that she be separated from the greatest love of her life.

It was tearing her heart just thinking about it, but what could she do? It was her heart against her mother's dying wish.

This was going to be the hardest thing she would ever have to do.
But she knew her mother would want her to do it.

So…. she had no choice.

Annabeth reluctantly took out her phone, trying to not let the tears fall from her face. She cleared her throat, trying to calm her shaky breathes.

She dialed his number and when she heard his voice, she felt weak at the knees and about to break down in sobs.

How the fucking hell was she going to do this?
Gods, just suck it up, Annabeth and do it.

She inhaled deeply before she spoke,

"Hey, can we meet up right now?"

Gods, reality was a bitch.

Percy sat on the bench that was facing the ocean. The sun was about to set so the horizon was a hazy orange that glistened off the sparkling ocean waters. Seagulls were cawing far off in the distance and the waves were gently rolling up onto the shore. This place was pretty damn nice. Not much people around either. Percy quite liked it here.

He felt a presence nearing him, so he turned his head to see two smoky grey eyes looking back at him. He smiled at her warmly as she gave him her own smile, a smile that was sort of forced.

"Hi." she said, almost losing her resolve coming here when she saw him, sitting there with a happy warm smile on his face. He looked godly amazing in his jeans and button up shirt that he wore to the funeral. He had ditched the tie and the jacket.

"Hey Annie." he said as she took a seat next to him, letting him rest his arm around her. She was out of her funeral black dress and had put on some jean shorts with a flannel over a white cami. And she looked absolutely stunning.

They were quiet in a comfortable silence, simply enjoying the other's presence while watching the beautiful ocean in front of them.

Percy finally looked over at her and saw that she was troubled— her face didn't show it. But her eyes did.

"What's bothering you?" he asked her. It was the question he had been wanting to ask her ever since he saw her again.

She looked back at him and gave him a small, sweet smile, "Everything." she said in a soft, quiet voice.

He smiled back at her, "That's not vague at all."

She softly laughed at that. Her fingers then found his and started playing with them, brushing her fingers over his knuckles and slowly drawing circles in his palm— as if she could prolong the time they had together before she…. ended it.

Unfortunately for her, Percy noticed.

His other hand caught hers, realizing she was trembling.

"Annabeth. Tell me what's wrong? Please. So I can help you."

She let out a shaky breathe, "Can't we just wait...a while longer."

"No. Annie tell me."

"You're not going to like what I have to say."

"Just tell me."

"I…" she looked away from him and turned towards the ocean again, feeling she wouldn't be able to say what she had to if she was looking into his eyes,

"I have an obligation to my mother…" her breathes became quicker and a tear fell slowly down her face.

"And what is that?"

"She wanted me to be happy the way..she wanted me to be. And that means putting my career and success before my own happiness." Annabeth felt every word come out of her mouth like salt and more salt being poured on an open wound.

Her fingers went up to run through her hair. She squeezed her neck as if to make the words stop from coming from her mouth.

Every part of her being didn't want to say anything, but she was obligated to.

Remember… Athena is dead. Percy won't die if this happens.

"So,...I need to…" She pursed her lips before saying, "break it off with you.." the words shot out of her mouth like bullet holes that went straight through Percy.

He was absolutely taken back.

"What?" his words quiet and unbelieving.

"I'm sorry, Percy, but I have to respect her and her wish for me…." Her fist clenched and unclenched, "You have to understand that."

She breathed hard as she stared at the ocean again, refusing to look his way.

She suddenly felt his fingers brush against her cheek, making her breathe hitch. He made her look at him, deeply in the eye.

She had to look away, but she couldn't. His eyes were so mesmerizing and they were pained. And it broke her heart seeing that it was her that was the cause for it.

His voice was steady when he spoke, "You mean that?"

Annabeth nodded her head, "I'm sorry, Percy… but, right now..It's right after her death and it feels wrong to deliberately go against her…..I- "

She looked back up at him, "It's hard enough to look at you and end it with you. So. please… Don't make this harder than it already is."

He slowly nodded his head, "I won't. Don't worry."

She let out a breathe and looked down at her hands, not wanting to leave him on this bench. Because both of them knew, very well, that once they left it, it was going to be over.

"But do me one last favor…" he said, leaning down slowly to place his lips on her neck.

She flinched, but didn't make any movements to push him away.

"Yeah?"

He kissed the spot behind her ear making her shudder, "Stay with me the night until it's morning. Then I'll let you go." he whispered in her ear.

She let out a breathe. She wanted to stay with him as much as he did, so it wasn't a very hard decision.

"Okay."

He then kissed up her jaw and hovered over her lips, looking into her deep grey eyes,

"Good." he said before kissing her full on the mouth.

It was a sudden explosion of emotions and pleasure coursing through each of their bodies. Two months was the amount of time they hadn't been together and the feel of her lips on his overwhelmed him with so much pleasure that nullified the pain— the pain that they were going to be separated a lot more than two months. It broke his heart thinking about it again, but when she slid her tongue over his bottom lip— it was like a pain killer that he wanted to be on forever and ever.

Her hands went up to his face, then his neck, curling her fingers in his hair and tugging lightly on it.

He let out a groan before wrapping his arm around her waist to deepen the kiss. The kiss was sweet, but full of longing like they both knew it may be their last.

The sun rays disappeared behind the horizon, moving over to the other side of the world. Annabeth pulled away from his lips, moving down to his neck. His arms wrapped around her in a possessive embrace.

He never wanted to let her go.. ever

Her sweet soft breathes on his neck sent tingles down his spine.

"Annabeth.." he whispered into her hair.

She lifted her head up to him, "This is in no way making things easier."

He looked back at her, "Yea, sorry, but I don't think I can make things any easier for you...Where's your apartment?"

Leaning against her dining island, Percy watched her, as she went about her kitchen. she had abandoned her flannel on the couch, so Percy couldn't help staring at how the cami hugged her body. It was like she was trying to torture him.

She picked a wine bottle and set it on the island next to him. She looked back at him holding the stare between them in a magnetic attraction before she broke it to go get wine glasses.

She reached up to get them from the cupboard, making her shirt get ridded up and exposing the bare, flawless skin of her waist. He couldn't help but stare even more.

He went up behind her and placed his hand on her waist, running his fingers slowly along her bare skin. He heard her breathe hitch as she froze for a moment before closing the cupboard and turning to him. His mouth went to the side of her head, moving down to her ear and then to her neck.

She let out shuddered, heavy breathes as he turned them around and got her onto the counter of the island. He devoured her neck again, making her bite her lip in blissful ecstasy.

Her fingers gripped the edge of the counter as he placed his hand off to her left on top of the marble counter. The other hand went up her shirt and up her stomach, feeling up every inch of her. The feel of her against his body was overpowering him in a hurricane of lust and want. He wanted it to last forever.

Her lips traced his jaw line, making him go to a state of bliss before he took a hold of her legs and pulled her off the island counter. He moved her up against the wall, slowly freeing her of the white cami.

They had just broke up, but being with him right now felt so good, it hurt. It was like her body was telling her, forcing her to just be with him.

Her fingers went to the shirt that he was still wearing, unbuttoning it one by one down his upper torso. He took his shirt off the rest of the way, throwing it behind him onto the floor. His lips captured hers again, kissing her over and over again.

Her hot, sweet breathes fanned on his neck making him shudder as she dipped her head to kiss down his collar bone. She never failed to make him weak at the knees. He brought his hands down her bare waist and over her shorts to get her legs up around his waist. Percy then pulled her away from the wall and started carrying her away from the kitchen and up the stairs to her bedroom.

They crashed on the bed and she got on top of him, kissing his neck again and using her tongue in skillful ways on his skin.

He brought her head up again, and kissed the skin behind her neck again, flipping them around so that he was on top of her.

"You go any further and I won't be able to let you go. Ever." he whispered breathily near her ear in a voice loaded with lust.

She pulled away from him slightly and pursed her lips. Her grey eyes looking at him with so much pain and frustration in her eyes, it broke him inside.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let myself get so...carried away. It's not fair to you at all." Her hand pressed against his chest and she smiled up at him, "I guess this was going to be hard either way."

"I guess so." he said next to her ear. He pulled away from her neck and looked her in the eye,
"Don't worry, I won't do anything more."

The thing was though …she wanted him to do more and it took all her will to contain her riling emotions.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her closer to him, "I still have you for the night, though."

She smiled with her lips close to the warmth of his chest. "Yeah. You do…"

The exhaustion that had been attacking her these past few days caught up with her as she soon yielded to sleep- the sounds of his steady heartbeat and the calming sea ocean scent on him surrounding her senses.

He stayed awake the whole night with his hands caressing her hair and her face. After tonight, she wasn't going to be his. A shuddered breathe escaped his lips as he pulled her impossibly closer to him…

-line break-

Annabeth woke to see Percy watching her sleep, his back leaning against the headboard of the bed. She rubbed her eyes of sleep with the palms of her hands before sitting up to look back at him.

"Hi." he said, smiling at her as if nothing in the world was the matter.

"Hey." she said back.

"I'm leaving for New York today."

Her grey eyes widened, then she looked down to her hands, "Oh. Ok."

Percy looked at her with pain and longing in his eyes before he hugged her close, bringing her into his lap. His warm hand went down to her thigh slowly running it along her warm skin.

She leaned over and kissed him on his lips.

"Bye, Percy. I love you- no matter what."

His breathe hitched at those words. He brought his hand to a strand of her hair that rested on her cheek and brushed it away.

He smiled warmly at her, "I love you too, Annabeth. Never forget it."

Percy left for New York that same day, leaving a heartbroken, conflicted Annabeth who wanted to just go after him, forgetting all her responsibilities, her obligations— dismissing reality forever.

But, she couldn't. She couldn't be with him.

Though he was the greatest love of her life...

Author's Note:

Updates are coming.

Thank you so much for the reviews. You guys are awesome! :DD