4. Bandaging Wounds

The cut wasn't serious but it was deep enough that a mortal would have needed stitches. A sip of nectar or a slice of ambrosia would have done the trick nicely for the demigod— if they had any.

"We really need to just start carrying a full medkit with us," Hazel remarked as she leaned over Percy and Annabeth, her and Frank trying to block the sun's unforgiving heat and glare from the pair down below as Annabeth worked on her boyfriend.

"Or never, ever go on a wild goose chase in the desert again," Annabeth said savagely, using the rest of Percy's shirt to tie off the gash that graced its former wearer's side.

"It's not bleeding anymore," Percy said as if he thought this helped. From the dark look his girlfriend shot him, it didn't.

"So you won't bleed to death, but we're at least a days walk away from the nearest town and gods only know when we'll be able to get our hands on some ambrosia," Annabeth grumbled, her gentle hands at war with the anger in her voice as she carefully tucked the makeshift bandage into place. Percy hissed a little as she pressed and the daughter of Athena grimaced in apology.

"We just need water," Percy reminded her soothingly, reaching out to gently card his fingers through her hair.

"Leo thinks he might have found something," Jason called jogging over. "How is he?"

"Fine," Percy said.

"No, you're not," Annabeth firmly overrode. "He needs ambrosia or water at the least."

"No really—" Percy's further objections were cut short as Annabeth put pressure on his side and he had to bite his tongue to avoid crying out. Jason gave a succinct nod.

"Got it. We'll figure it out," Jason promised dutifully like the good little golden boy he was. "Can I borrow Hazel and Frank?"

"Yeah go ahead," Annabeth dismissed turning her attention back to Percy.

"Wise Girl, really it's okay," Percy half whined.

"No it's really not," Annabeth snapped back. "You're in pain and that's unacceptable. I don't care if you allow it, I won't."

She said it with such ferocity, her grip on him near painful. Percy's eyes softened at her protective fury, leaning forward to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.

"I'm okay, Wise Girl," he repeated gently, no bravo in his voice now. Some of the brimstone faded from Annabeth's face as she leaned against her boyfriend.

She looked up at him with stormy gray eyes, jaw tightly clenched but he knew her, knew her better than anyone else in the world and could see (was allowed to see) the fear lurking behind the mask. The last year had not been kind to them. Side wounds seemed trivial, so, so trivial when compared (they had fallen, fallen farther than anyone else before); side wounds were catastrophic when you knew just how much you had to lose, just how quickly, incomprehensively, you could lose everything you held most dear.

Percy understood. He kissed her forehead again, closing his eyes and comforting her the only way he could, with his real physical presence. I am here. I am here.

Thunder rumbled through the air. Annabeth stiffened protectively, jerking away with her knife at the draw. Above their heads, storm clouds, large and imposing in their darkened mass, closed in. The pair watched with suspicious eyes, one of Annabeth's hands splayed protectively over Percy's side. They were together. That's what mattered. Come what may, they were together.

Another clasp of thunder shook the sand beneath their feet. Then, after a moment of static mobility, the heavens opened and it began to downpour. Annabeth stared dumbly at the on-slaughter. The hand that grasped the knife slowly rose into the air, water bouncing off its bronze surface. Her disbelieving eyes turned to meet Percy's stunned ones, both hardly daring to believe. The rain splattered against their skin, drenching them through in a matter of seconds. Annabeth lowered her knife, turning to watch the rain run down Percy's chest and seep into the makeshift bandage around his midsection. She gently spread her fingers out, feeling the skin beneath her palm pull itself back together. Somewhere in the distance, Leo gave a whoop of joy.

"Favors don't come free," Percy murmured his mouth barely moving.

"Maybe it's payment." Annabeth didn't really believe that and from the look on Percy's face, neither did he.

Once more Percy gathered his girlfriend against him and the daughter of Athena gladly went, curling into his side as they let the rain wash over them. It didn't matter; they were together, they would figure it out.

A/n Thank you all so much for all your support! I don't quite have the time to reply to everyone during the week but do know I love and appreciate all your lovely reviews and favorites! You guys are amazing, thank you all so so much.

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