Killed In Action

Percy pets his hair. He won't have it much longer, so he has to get the feel of it on his head. To Percy, running his fingers through his hair was a comforting move. Others saw it as nervous, but to him it was comforting.

A hand clapped him in the back before latching onto his shoulder. He barely even reacted.

"Ready, son?" His dad said.

"No." Percy replied irritably. "But it's probably going to happen regardless of my answer so cut away."

Poseidon didn't reply as he removed his hand from his shoulder, only to be replaced by a white towel. Poseidon picked up an electric razor and attached a guard to it. Percy closed his eyes.

He didn't want to watch.

***

"It's really not that bad." She ran her fingers through what was left of his hair. That was something else he found comforting. Annabeth running her fingers through his hair.

Percy closed his eyes again, relaxing into her touch, "I'm surprised that you're not more upset. I thought you loved my long hair."

"Oh, trust me." Annabeth smiled, "I did and I am. But, you are a total cry baby and I'm trying to make you feel better so hush."

Percy sat up, taking his head out of her lap, and adjusted so that he could hug her.

He could feel her shaking. He could feel the question.

"When do you leave?"

Percy looked into her eyes and frowned.

***

Percy wasn't much of a camouflage guy. That didn't matter to him right then. Annabeth and his mom mattered right then.

"Bye mom." Percy hugged her tight and kissed the side of her head, "Love you."

His mom was close to tears, "Come home safe, please."

"I will." He let go of her slowly before turning to his girlfriend.

She wrapped him in a bear hug, her arms squeezing his neck tight.

"I love you. Please come home. Please don't get hurt. Be careful." Her words were simple, but they sounded frantic. He could feel her tears touch his neck as he buried his face into her hair.

He pulled away so he could look at her. He held her face between his palms and she held onto one of his arms.

"You're gonna go to college in a month, and we're gonna write and I'll call. And I'll be back and I'll be fine. I love you." He said to her.

Annabeth nodded before leaning up to kiss him, short and sweet. She pulled away and went to stand by his mom. He smiled at them once more before shouldering his bag and turning to go.

"Wait."

He looked back to Annabeth. She was holding out a small picture. He took it from her, and made his way towards the loading zone. Waving at them again before ducking into the hallway.

The last image he saw was of Annabeth's tear-stained face.

***

Annabeth stared at the door he had just left through. She could feel the tears firing down her cheeks and she pawed them away.

Sally rubbed her arm, "He'll come back. He always does."

She nodded before turning to leave.

***

5 months later.

***

Percy held his gun firmly. He could feel the heat bearing down on him as if it were a solid thing. He wiped the sweat from his brow.