I'm so happy that the last chapter, Crotchkicker McCaffrey, was well-loved. Thank you so much!

In all honestly, I wrote this chapter months ago. Just for reference, this is set after BoTL and could pass as a deleted scene. I'm sure this story exists but roll with it.

Story #19: They Swear on the River Styx

Demigod nightmares often foretold the future but Annabeth didn't understand why she got a memory. It was during her first quest when Percy came to Camp for the first time. They were playing hacky-sack with Grover's apple and Percy threw it at her. She awoke knowing that gesture was a marriage proposal in Ancient Greece and she couldn't go back to sleep.

If she dreamt of that moment when Percy threw the apple at her, does that mean he's dying? Till death do them part, right? It made sense and she didn't want it to.

-o-

Annabeth walks out of her cabin in the middle of the night. Last she checked, it was around 2 AM and all her siblings were fast asleep. She didn't want to wake any of them or anyone in Camp, for that matter. She's lucky that all the cabins were dark and the only lights she saw were from the stars and the distant campfire keeping them safe. Annabeth isn't sure where to go until she tires so she circles her cabin, stopping mid-track when she sees someone crouching there. Their head is down, brooding until it perks up and looks right at her.

"Percy?" Annabeth asks.

His eyes flicker up to her, glowing brighter than she's ever seen them, as his face softens but is still confused about how to react. He almost looks relieved to see that it's her and not anyone else but surprised to see her despite being outside her cabin. Why wouldn't she be here? Percy shifts a little as if he's unsure whether to stand up or ask her to sit beside her.

Annabeth takes a step towards her cabin, leaning against the exterior wall.

"I had a dream I asked you to come here," Percy says.

"Funny," Annabeth responds without a grimace as much as smiling. "I had a dream you asked me something else."

His brow cocks up. "What did I ask?"

Annabeth didn't tell him about the apple flashback during their first quest because she didn't want to be embarrassed or reveal her feelings when he didn't reciprocate. She didn't want to be teased, especially by him. If he forgot, she'll leave it as a distant memory. But she didn't want to lie to him because of the looming prophecy. Another day has passed and it only means they're getting closer to the possible end.

"You asked me here tonight because when you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, however much longer that is, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible," Annabeth responds.

Percy nods once. "Huh, coincidental."

It couldn't be forever. It could've been two years at most.

"Percy…" Annabeth mutters. "It's the prophecy."

"I'm not changing my mind or giving it to Nico, I told you that," he responds sternly, as if he's said it many time before.

Annabeth nods, seeing how sharp his features got with those words. She knows Percy wouldn't do that. He'd never lie to her but wouldn't want to tell her the truth either. Percy has a right to make that choice and nobody has the right or power to take it away from him. Not even her.

Percy chose the prophecy. He always will although he doesn't want it. He doesn't want any one else stuck with it so he decided to make it for himself. If Annabeth could take it away, she would in a heartbeat. At least he wasn't denying it because then he would never be ready. It pains her even to think he could be ready to face it. Maybe then it'd be better never to know how he really felt about her. He could lie to her. The Hermes cabin says lying is good since it'll keep them alive. That's the method Percy needs.

Percy sighs. "Annabeth, I don't want to talk about it."

"I'm not talking about it," Annabeth responds. "I'm giving you a recap in case you forgot."

"Why?"

"Don't want to waste time picking an outfit to disrupt your funeral."

Percy laughs for a second before stopping himself. He glances at her to see her smile before exhaling another laugh. She's already been to his funeral and she doesn't want another one. Still, she'll likely wear her bright orange Camp shirt again. She imagines they all will.

Annabeth wasn't sure what to say. Nothing she could come up with will make it right. She knows she just has to reach out and make him smile, even if it's through the pain. She's been one of his best friends long enough to know that he's putting a brave front for her. He's spent his life putting others' needs above his own, even when those people don't like him. She knows that and it isn't fair.

Annabeth doesn't care about that prophecy, in that sense. She knows Percy is destined for a life greater than being a set of written words. An unfortunate side-effect of being a kid, mortal or half-blood, is that everything someone says to them will stick. Annabeth could never imagine finding out she's a half-blood child of one of The Big Three and set to die. As demigods, they're trained to fight. After all, their lives are scarcely limited, given innate traits like ADHD and dyslexia because they were born to prioritize their godly abilities. Why were they never told that they will be loved and be happy for the time they have? After being rejected by their mortal parents, why were they never taught that there will be people who will love them because they want to do so?

She was always told not to go on quests until her special someone arrived and he's right there. She loves that he exists and loved Camp even more because he showed up. After she met him she wasn't sure how people have lived so long without having him in their lives, or how she did it for so long.

That's why she kissed him at Mount St. Helens. He won't think she's worthy of him because he'll die. They're best friends, maybe something more hidden behind their fears and fatal flaws. If only she knew how to tell him that he'd be loved because it's been amazing to love him.

Best three years of her life.

Percy looks at her again. "Wise Girl, in a hypothetical future where I somehow survive the prophecy, we'll follow the way of the Ancient Greeks."

Annabeth's brows purse together. "Way of the Ancient Greeks?"

"The apple from our first quest appeared in my dream. Remember I threw it at you?"

The apples of Annabeth's cheeks redden but she hopes it's too dark he couldn't see. "I do now that you mention it."

Percy smiles a bit from the corner of his mouth. "So if I survive, let's do it. Not right away, though. Give it, like, 10 years after the day."

Annabeth's mind freezes, which only he could do to her. She isn't sure whether his looming death is making him mad, this interaction isn't real and she's only dreaming, or he's confessing his feeling without saying anything. Either way, she can't look off her game.

"I'd be 26," Annabeth responds.

Percy's face drops a little, having not expected that answer which makes Annabeth grin. "Fine, 15 years. So what do you say?"

"My only options are yes or no."

Percy's brows furrow for a second. "And the answer is?"

Annabeth smiles. "Yes."

He's taken aback. "Really?"

"I swear on the Styx."

Percy stares at her for a few seconds before the corner of his mouth twitches. She swore on the River Styx. She's taking the promise to the grave. Annabeth's insides warm up because this is the first time since he accepted the prophecy that he truly smiled. It could be because he loves her or because it gives him a reason to survive the prophecy, she doesn't know but it makes her happy too.

" … I swear on the Styx too," Percy responds.