Percy Jackson One-Shots

Writing Prompt: A Child of Poseidon can't drown

A child of Poseidon can't drown

Percy stood on the beach looking out at the ocean in front of him and walked forward until he met the shore. The wind howled around him as he waded in until the water was by his waist.

The iciness of the water was nonexistent to the feeling of familiarity. The moon watched over Percy as he cut through the water easily and floated on his back to look at the stars.

His hearing was muffled as he stared at the velvet sky. Pinpricks of light illuminating the darkness.

Percy closed his eyes and stopped treading water. He felt his body begin to sink. The water began to fill his ears but he let himself keep falling.

Somehow he felt weightless and as heavy as an anchor as he fell to the ocean floor.

Out of habit he felt himself take a deep breath as he submerged fully but he held it in.

Panic began to settle subconsciously in the back of his mind. Knowing that he was running out of air. But he did nothing to help himself.

The ocean floor was rough and sharp as Percy finally stopped falling.

The pressure of the water pressed against his body. Demanding that he swim swim swim.

But he stayed where he was and pressed his palms into his eyes trying to erase the memories.

The pressure continued to build. Moulding itself around Percy like a wall of concrete. Percy imagined himself shrinking, and he folded into himself, becoming smaller and smaller. Until he was nothing but another bubble. Ready to pop.

His lungs were screaming at him.

And his vision was tinged with red as his body hit its limit.

Breathe.

Annabeth wasn't here but he heard her all the same.

He shook his head at her nonexistent image and covered his ears as if it would stop her voice from entering his ears.

I can't, he replied.

Fire filled Percy's lungs as memories chased him, reminding him of what had been and what could've been.

Fingertips clasped in his. Nails biting into his wrist.

He stared at the scars left by her and held his hands close to his chest.

No matter how much he ran, she always seemed to find him.

He saw her mouth the words.

You can't pull me up.

Heat seared Percy's face as his tears mixed with the ocean.

He could hear the buzz of the surrounding sea animals, their curiosity tangible in the silence of their watching.

I'm sorry. He had said.

For what?

For everything.

I wanted to give you the world. He had whispered.

I only wanted you. She had replied.

And then she had let go.

Percy's name on her lips as she said a final goodbye.

Breathe.

He couldn't take it anymore.

Percy screamed into the deep blue void. And his lungs breathed a sigh of relief.

His body shook with his sobs and his wall of pressure dissipated as he let the crushing guilt and anger consume him.

This was worse than not being able to breathe.

The way it blocked his throat and twisted his stomach.

Breathe.

Acid filled Percy's lungs as he choked down the sound of Annabeth's laugh and the shape of her name on his tongue.

He gripped onto her memory like a buoy and held on for dear life.

Seaweed brain.

Ambrosia and nectar had stopped tasting like his mother's food, and now tasted like Annabeth's kisses.

Don't leave me. He pleaded into the emptiness. He knew she was listening.

A current of warm water brushed over him and he imagined her running her hands through his hair one last time.

I have to.

A child of Poseidon can't drown? Percy thought bitterly, how wrong they were.