PJO/HOO- Headcanons

I'll come back

"Come back, Annabeth."

"I can't, Percy."

"Why not?"

"I have to stay here, Seaweed Brain. I can't come back."

"I miss you. I want to see you again."

"I miss you too. One day we'll see each other again. I promise."

"Annabeth don't go! I love you!"

"I'm sorry Percy but I have to. I love you too. I'll always be with you. Goodbye."

"Annabeth no!"

Percy awoke with a start from the nightmare that haunted him for several weeks, breathing heavily. He sat up, buried his face in his hands. He ruffled his hair, the way she would have wanted it. He looked at the empty spot next to him. The feeling of loneliness grew inside his heart as he thought about all the memories he shared with her since his first day at camp.

The grief and depression of her death made his cabin look terrible; like a tornado had struck it several times, leaving no trace of sanity. The black ringlets under his eyes from all the sleepless nights, tossing and turning until he finally let out a cry of grief and mourning.

He rolled over and glanced at his clock. It showed 10:51a.m. Usually by now she would already have woken him up. He slid back into his covers and forced himself into another sleepless slumber, where another dream awaited him. He saw her again. They were in a vast space of clouds and light. He was facing her but the closer he ran to her, the further she drifted away.

She was floating ever so gracefully, nothing like his old Annabeth. She was wearing a simple white dress, a transluscent shawl draped over her shoulders. Percy fell to his knees, digging elbows into the soft cottony texture that sent a chill up his body.

"Percy, stop." Annabeth said softly. Suddenly she was right in front of him, kneeling on one knee. Her forefinger tapped his chin, making her meet his eyes.

"But I want to be with you again. I want to hug you."

"You will. Very soon. You'll see. But I need you to do something."

"Anything."

"I need you to stop Percy. Move on. The camp needs you. You are their leader. They need their leader to set things straight."

"But I love you so much. I can't stop thinking about you everyday."

"I'll always be with you Percy. Please. Go out today. If you don't, you'll miss your chance to see me."

"What? I don't understand."

"I have to go. Remember what I said."

They dream faded and all that was left were the memories. What did she mean, Percy thought. From experience, he learned to see dreams as reality. And if Annabeth wanted him to do so, he would. He got out of bed, eventually found a nice shirt and jeans and braced himself to step outside. The moment he did, the campers all around turned to stop and stare.

Some rushed to him, but he didn't attempt to brush them off. Soon he was chatting with them. It felt nice to have company after so long. He resumed teaching swordfighting and helping the water naiads clean the sea. That night Percy fell into sleep, actually waiting for something pleasant to happen. And it did.

He again saw Annabeth, but this time she was like her old self. Percy ran towards her, and this time she stayed where she was. Percy hugged her, and it felt so nice to feel her warmth again. Percy looked into her eyes and whispered,

"I went outside today. Like you asked."

"I know, Seaweed Brain. I know. I need you to go out again tomorrow."