Character is Destiny

SoM: Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and the non-bolded dialogue in this work. This is a show of appreciation for the books in preparation for the Percy Jackson TV show. Enjoy!

SoM Chapter 9: The (Awkward) Family Reunion

Published: Monday, October 4th, 2021

Chapter 31

Key:

2010- Percy (Regular)

2007- Percy (Italics)

There was a tense silence in which Luke stared at Percy and Annabeth, lacking any emotion, anticipating the explosion. From who, he wasn't sure, but he knew it was coming.

Sure enough, the utter silence was broken by Annabeth's desperate cry of, "Why would you do it?" Her eyes could have been made of silver, with the pooling tears gleaming off of the moon, shining high in the sky. "I just... I just don't understand. We were all bitter, Luke. Thalia didn't need to die, and everyone knew it. But you... you took it the hardest. When I needed you the most, you weren't there for me. You know that Thalia being gone was the worst thing that could've happened to either of us, and we needed to stick together to even try and handle it."

Luke heaved a deep breath, sinking into the couch behind him. "I just... I couldn't bear to be near you, Annabeth," he said softly. "I saw so much of her, in you. All of your mannerisms, the way you acted and formed your words, even how you put your hands on your hips when you got mad... it was all her. Being near you... it was the worst thing that could have happened to me."

Annabeth felt tears prick at her eyes as Luke's words registered to her. "So it's my fault you turned into a homicidal, traitorous maniac?" She asked hysterically, her anger rising.

Luke's eyes widened. "No! Gods, no. Of course not. No, just... being near you reminded me of being near her, and I couldn't bear to handle it anymore. Seeing her in my dreams, having Kronos taunt me, seeing you acting like a little her... it-it killed me. So, when Kronos began to whisper to me, to put those thoughts into my mind, it was wearing on me to begin with.

Annabeth's fists clenched. "Then why didn't you talk to anyone?" She asked despairingly. "Chiron, me, Lee, hell even pray to Lady Hestia!" She shook her head morosely. "Luke, we could have helped you. We wanted to help you."

Percy placed a gentle hand on her wrist, cutting her off. His posture was stiff, and his green eyes were hard and dark. Still, when he spoke, his voice was gentle. "He didn't want help, Annabeth." He pressed on her wrist again, cutting off her incoming tirade. "How would you react if I died?" He gave her a second to process his question. "You'd be inconsolable, right? Being around Jason or Thalia or Nico would be like a stab wound every time. Walking past Poseidon's cabin would blind you in anger because why couldn't you save him. Annabeth, he wasn't rational, and that's why he didn't talk to you guys."

Luke nodded, relieved that even if Percy wouldn't relax around him, he would at least help his girlfriend to think clearly. "It wasn't you, Annabeth, it was just... I felt like I was going insane. Having dreams, hearing voices, seeing visions. It was all too much. I fought it for months, but around your eighth birthday where it really started to get bad, but I had still assumed that it was just my own subconscious, so I pushed it away. And it wasn't until you turned twelve that I figured out who it was, and that was when he revealed himself and fully took my mind. I was still- I was still me, I could still influence my own motions and thoughts to some degree, but he was running the show."

Annabeth sniffled, wiping the lone tear furiously. Finally, her posture broke and she slumped into Percy's side, looking lost.

"Hey," Percy said softly. "You're exhausted, my love. Head back to the room; I'll be there soon."