𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

152

"Hadrian, stop," Annabeth begged. "How– how are you dealing with this? The fear, the anger–"

"Don't try to control it. That's what the temple is about. You have to accept the fear, adapt to it, ride it like the rapids on a river."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't know it. I just feel it. I'm always terrified, I just do what needs to be done anyways"

Somewhere nearby, a wall crumbled with a sound like an artillery blast.

"You cut the rope," Annabeth said. "We're going to die down here!"

Hadrian pulled her closer and tried not to think of Percy. He thought about before he even met Percy, their inside jokes at camp, Annabeth chastising him for kissing a nymph, him forcing her to take breaks from whatever project she was working on, he thought about the time Annabeth had picked him in Capture the flag once. He thought about their friendship, forgetting about the boy.

Annabeth reminded him too much of Kira, it was a scary comparison. Only, Kira was more reckless, jumping into things headfirst. But Annabeth had started to feel like family now too. Everyone on the Argo II did. 

He cupped her face. He pulled Annabeth forward until their foreheads touched. Through his fingertips, he could feel Annabeth's rapid pulse. "Fear is good. It can't be reasoned with. Neither can hate. They're like love. They're almost identical emotions. That's why Ares and Aphrodite like each other. Their twin sons– Fear and Panic– were spawned from both war and love."

"But I don't... this doesn't make sense."

"No," Hadrian agreed. "Stop thinking about it. Just feel."

Hadrian couldn't help but change his mind. He had wished for Annabeth's company in Tartarus, her cold hard logic and plans. But now he wondered if that would have made things worse down there where nothing made sense. 

"I hate feeling"

"I know. You can't plan for feelings. Like with Percy– you can't control every contingency. You have to accept that. Let it scare you. Trust that it'll be okay anyway."

Annabeth shook her head. "I don't know if I can."

"Then just trust me" Hadrian pressed a kiss to her forehead and tried to breathe, Annabeth's arms squeezing his ribs weren't helping. 

"Okay"

"Great, because I need your help. We're going to run out there together."

"Then what?"

"I have no idea."

"Gods, I hate it when you lead."

Hadrian laughed, which surprised even him. Fear and love really were related. At that moment he clung to the love he had for his friend. "Come on!"

They ran in no particular direction and found themselves back in the shrine room, right behind the giant Mimas. Hadrian shot arrows at one leg while Annabeth slashed the other and brought him to his knees.

The giant howled. More chunks of stone tumbled from the ceiling.

"Weak mortals!" Mimas struggled to stand. "No plan of yours can defeat me!"

"That's good," Hadrian said. "Because I don't have a plan." He paused, "gods, Annabeth, you're right, Percy really is rubbing off on me"

"No, I like to think you two are equally idiotic so it's a give and take of stupidity"

Hadrian grinned and ran towards the statue of Ares. "Keep our friend occupied!"

"Oh, he's occupied!"