Puke: Left to Wither Alone

Preface

Percy POV

[This takes place during The Last Olympian when Luke has awoken Kronos; him being basically possessed by Kronos at random intervals. Annabeth throws him her dagger because the only way for Kronos to be stopped is for him to stab his achilles heel (his arm). Luke finished his 'villain monologue' :-)]

Luke seemed to know what I was thinking. He moistened his lips. "You can't.... Can't do it yourself. He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can... can keep him controlled."

"I–" He started. "I- don't understand."

"Percy.. You must know that it was all for you." Luke replied, an affectionate lilt in his voice. "Everything. All of it. The system is flawed. And I thought..."

Percy was shocked beyond words. Beyond belief. Tentatively, he said, "Thought what?"

The marble floor shook beneath them as Luke grasped the knife Annabeth tossed him just moments before. Realizing what he was about to do, Percy yelled "Luke! Stop! Don't kill yourself over this!"

"It's too late Percy. I've made my choice, I just want to let you know that I- I really like you Percy. I'm happy I got to know you." And with that, he stabbed himself in the arm, his achilles heel.

Percy shrieked in pure agony. Concerned, Annabeth darted toward him, only for him to push her away. He had laser focus on the only thing that mattered. Dropping down to the ground, wincing at the pressure on his fresh wounds. Percy kneeled beside Luke, who was now barely conscious.

Blood pooling around them, Percy sighed, "Luke. It's ok, I've got you. You're safe now." Tears were beginning to well in his eyes. "Luke. Don't—" His voice broke, "Don't leave. Don't leave me."

"Percy..." Luke's weak voice started, "It's- It's ok. Don't cry. Just know, I-I will always love you."

Somewhat startled but without hesitation Percy said, "I love you too, Luke. Always will."

Tears blurred Percy's vision, and it didn't take much for him to know that Luke's were as well. Grasping Luke's head close to his chest Percy whispered "Goodbye, Luke. See you in Elysium." He knew it was too late. There was nothing he could do. Luke had made the ultimate sacrifice, and Percy could do nothing to stop his slowing heartbeat.

Luke took one last ragged breath as the shaky beat of his heart became unnoticeable and began, "I–".

That was all it took for Percy to completely break. Earth-shattering sobs racked his body. All that was. All that could've been. All that wasn't. It was too much for him to bear. He didn't even know he was gay! His heart, his purpose, and his will to live were all lost in that one moment. If he could go back just a few days, just a few minutes. Everything that didn't make sense, all his confusion over Annabeth was settled the moment Luke's blue eyes settled on him.

And so with that, Percy detangled himself. Looking nowhere but forward, he stood and continued his now meaningless existence.