Percy Jackson One-shots

3 am talk between two friends

Annabeth couldn't sleep.

It happened often, after the war. Sometimes, in her dreams, she fell into that bottomless black pit full of monsters, where everything spiraled into fear, self-hate and countless other negative feelings normal people told their therapists about. PTSD, that's the word.

But even with all that, young Miss Chase was still restless, so she crept out of her cabin and towards the strawberry fields. Fresh air expelled the feeling of being trapped, and Annabeth was already feeling less claustrophobic. She startled when seeing another camper's shadow, sitting in the grass. Approaching, she found a black-haired son of Hades, slumped against a tree.

Nico briefly glanced at her, enough time for Annabeth to notice that he had dark circles under his eyes and tiredness boring into his pupils. He seemed too exhausted to throw her his usual wary/skeptical look: his guard was down, which didn't happen often.

"It's past 3am, why are you still up?" asked Nico in a hoarse voice. He didn't bother looking at her, instead keeping his gaze on the stars above.

"I could ask you the same question, death boy", countered Annabeth.

Nico let out a sharp out-breath. "True."

There was a pause, then Annabeth insisted. "Well? Why would a constantly tired kids like you be up at this ungodsly hour?"

Nico stayed silent for a second, hesitating to answer. Finally, he muttered under his breath, "Thinking 'bout Tartarus. You?"

"The same reason", Annabeth replied. "I thought I'd say hi to the stars for him." Nico nodded at that.

She knelt down next to him, keeping a respectful distance. He'd let his walls down a little, but she didn't want to push him further. Annabeth knew a thing or two about boundaries.

"You know, this isn't the type of burden you should bear alone. The only reason I'm still alive right now is because I share mine with-"

"Percy?" Nico snorted in disgust.

Annabeth flinched. "Right sorry. But you know what I mean. I'm not the only cute curly-haired blonde you can share secrets with."

Nico probably blushed a little there, although Annabeth couldn't be sure because it was too dark.

"I'm fine, thank you very much." Nico grumbled.

"No, Nico. You're clearly not. And I've suffered enough from loneliness to watch one of my friends make the same mistake as me. And I know you might not trust me much because you don't really know me well, but you can still talk to Hazel and Jason and Will. I'm not forcing you, because I'm not your mom, but you really should."

Nico stayed silent at that. He was probably thinking, his mind slowly adapting to the idea that he could maybe ask for a little bit of help. Trust issues and trauma didn't go away in one conversation.

Annabeth stood up, having felt like she'd insisted enough for the day. As she was about to go back to her cabin, she heard Nico mumble something. She turned around.

"What was that?"

Nico huffed. "I said thank you."

Annabeth smiled, half happy half sad, and ruffled Nico's hair a little. She couldn't help but feel a little like his older sister.

You're welcome, Nico. That was an implication, she didn't say it out loud.

Annabeth walked back to her cabin and went back to staring at her ceiling, although she felt a little more at peace now. A while later she heard Nico return to his cabin, and only then did she fall asleep. She didn't dream, which was the best she could ask for.

As she woke up the next morning,still tired from the short night's sleep, she remembered the night before. The smallest hint of a smile tugged at her lips. Sometimes helping someone else can help you a little, too.