Annabeth slowly walked down to where Percy was. She could spot him even through the huge army that surrounded the camp now, more creatures filtering in every second. His presence always seemed to jump out at her for some reason. The silhouette of his face again the backset of the bonfire reminded her of many memories. That silhouette was so familiar. So comforting in its consistency. Unlike everything else in her life: parents, friends, Luke. But Percy always had been there. Always. Percy wouldn't lie to her about what happened in the cave. Never before had he deceived her; he just wasn't like that. Part of Annabeth didn't want Rachel to win by forgiving Percy, but she couldn't let Percy suffer because of her silly feelings against a mortal.
Now he was with their parents, among other gods and goddesses, by their cave, which had been turned into some sort of headquarters it seemed. Grover could be seen lurking within the group of twelve-foot beings as well as he tapped Percy on the shoulder when she got closer. Percy quickly spun around, spotting her in the distance, and watched as she drew nearer. When she got close enough, he moved through the crowd to where she stood and pulled her aside.
"Annabeth, I-," he began to say but she stopped him.
"Its alright, Percy," she said. "If you say it wasn't Rachel, then it wasn't Rachel."
"Really?" Percy said, his eyebrows drawing slightly together. Annabeth nodded, biting her lip.
"I guess our friendship is more important than some stupid girl," she said with a soft giggle.
"A lot more important," Percy said, pulling her in for a tight hug, which Annabeth quickly returned. The two soon broke apart, knowing their parents were watching with glares and quickly began to fill in the leaders of this army on what was going on. The gods towered over the demigods, but neither was intimidated. Percy thought this was rather easier since Aphrodite had conveniently vanished.
Hours later, after many long, boring briefings and many uneventful meetings, Percy and Annabeth settled down inside Headquarters. The immortals were still out moving about the army, contacting new people, and trying desperately to pretend they had some control over what was happening.
The fire flickered and cast shadows over the cavernous space as Percy sat down by the flames. Grover had to make sure all the groups from his environment committees were settling in and left Percy and Annabeth all alone. The two sagged onto the cold stone, not even minding the jagged pieces of rock that jabbed into their flesh.
Percy watched the fire with dark circles under his eyes, his whole demeanor weary and uncaring after putting up the strong façade for the outside world. Annabeth stoked the fire, circles under her own eyes.
"I don't suppose you're going to listen if I told you that you need your sleep," she commented softly.
"Nope," Percy said with fake energy, as he pulled her down beside him. They both leaned against the rocky wall with a sigh of relief. Looking at her watch, Annabeth frowned. "What is it?" Percy asked, noticing her disgruntled expression.
"Its 12:11," Annabeth said, looking at him and shaking her head. "Two more days until your birthday, Percy."
He just leaned his head against the wall and sighed. "How could I forget?" he asked as Annabeth tried to stifle a yawn. "You need to get your sleep," he commented wearily.
"You're one to talk, Seaweed Brain," she replied scathingly, once more letting her eyelids droop.
"Come one, Wise Girl," Percy said lazily with a small smile. "Just get some rest."
"Are you sure?" she asked, uncertainly, eyeing the ground with interest.
"Yes," Percy insisted, "I'll wake you if anything happens. I'd rather be awake for my last 48 hours."
"Don't say that," Annabeth ordered him harshly, opening her eyes wide. "If you think that way then I want to be awake the next 48 hours too."
"Go to bed," Percy said, playfully pushing her head down.
"Fine," Annabeth conceded, shooting him a fake glare. He could hear her mutter, "Stubborn," under his breath. Within, minutes, she was fast asleep, her breathing already becoming even, only occasional twitches of nightmares rolling over her. Her body shook with cold and she rolled trying to get comfortable.
Percy instinctively moved her head to his lap and covered her with a spare t-shirt that had been lying around the cave. She immediately stopped her incessant rolling and peacefully lay to sleep. Percy still lay deep in thought, absent-mindedly stroking her hair with his hand. 48 hours. That was so little time.
Rachel watched it all unfold from afar. She knew that Percy and Annabeth couldn't stay mad at each other for long. Somewhere in her mind, she remembered that Athena and Poseidon were enemies. How did their own children end up in love?
With a sigh, she put her head on her knees as she pulled her legs into her chest. She sat on a rock a little bit away from the small party that consisted of Percy, Grover, Chiron, and various gods and goddesses. Annabeth had appeared out of the mountains and in seconds, become friends again with Percy. Rachel's heart clenched with pain as Percy pulled her in for a hug. The pain worsened as she saw them immediately end the embrace and turn to the little group, informing them about everything they knew.
If only Annabeth could see them now. Maybe Annabeth was right, they didn't need Rachel. She wouldn't know anything about what was going on out there…but Annabeth however…Annabeth was confident and calm and looked like she had the entire situation under control. Percy and the Gods looked to her with narrowed eyes, counting on her from her help, for her expertise. Percy relied on her, he needed her. Rachel could see that very clearly. Just in the slightest movements, the sigh of relief when Annabeth saved him with an answer he didn't know, the eye roll of playfulness that made the dark times just a bit more bearable. That didn't help Rachel though. It still hurt as Percy looked towards the most powerful entities on earth with respect and urgency, talking quickly, Annabeth at his side, her eyes trained on his, sharply picking up every detail that poured from his mouth. Together, they made an invincible force. He would lead them to victory, Annabeth by his side. Everywhere he moved, she did as well.
It was the littlest things that caught Rachel's attention. The way Annabeth looked at Percy with an expression she reserved only for him. The way Percy would lightly move his hand to brush against Annabeth's arm to make sure she was still there, completely unaware of his habit. Both were so oblivious about their obvious need for each other. She sighed once more, watching as they turned into the cave together. At least Percy would be safe; that was all that mattered to Rachel now. Annabeth would keep him safe, as she always had and hopefully always will.
