That was how the gods found us. The three who had started a quest four years earlier, holding onto each other as if we would never do so again. All around, Camp Half Blood cheered and hollered, hugging each other with happiness. The gods just stared in wonder, still seeming not able to believe that their children had the nerve to a win a war they had been destined to lose.
The following days had become a blur. With the immediate danger finally gone the exhaustion settled in at full force. Demigod and creature alike clapped me on the back wherever I went and I heard the cheers that rose as I past but I couldn't have cared less. All I knew was that Annabeth wasn't leaving my side until I was positive she was safe. I had come so close to losing her so many times in the past week and now that we were together, I couldn't bring myself to separate.
Grover, Annabeth and I slept side by side in our little cave, completely intertwined, letting the days turn to nights. My birthday passed in a blur, all the excitement packed into those early hours of the morning. Surprisingly, we were undisturbed. Only Rachel floated out every once and awhile, making sure we were still breathing. Our silence was broken the morning Grover left to save his environment or whatever his next task was.
"Make sure to stay in touch, G-Man," I told him, handing him his rolled up mat with a smile. He was packing his last few tin cans in a rucksack as Annabeth leaned against the cave wall, watching with an impassive face.
"You know how difficult it can be to get service out there," Grover responded with a sigh, throwing the bag over his shoulder and standing to face me. "But I'll try my best."
"Here's an extra blanket, just in case," Annabeth added, handing our best friend her attempt at folding. "It may come in handy on some colder nights."
"Thanks," he said softly, looking at Annabeth with a smile. "Well…that should be about it." He stood and looked at us.
"We're going to miss you, buddy," I said quietly.
"Same here," Grover told us, holding out his arms for a final hug. We both stepped forward to embrace our old friend. I couldn't help but feeling a little teary as I pulled away. Grover smiled at us one last time. "Its been fun, you two."
"Thanks, Grover," Annabeth said, a hint of sadness on her face as well. Grover leaned forward and patted her head.
"No, thank you," he responded. Then he grinned outright, "Little Bethy."
"Don't call me that!" Annabeth exclaimed, hitting him playfully on the arm. Chuckling, he held his arm to me for one last shake.
I took his hand in a firm grasp and looking me in the eye, he said, "You've grown so much Percy. I consider it an honor to have brought both of you two to Camp Half Blood in my days as a satyr."
With a nod, he turned and walked towards the entrance. Instinctively, Annabeth leaned into my side and I slid my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Even if Grover was leaving, I at least still had her. Turning for the last time, he threw us a drachma and said, "You know how to reach me." And just like that, he was gone.
Returning to Camp Half Blood was strange for us both. It still looked so perfect and intact, as if a war had never reached its borders. For the first time since Kronos's defeat, Annabeth and I finally let go of each other in order to shower and refresh in our own cabins. For some reason, I didn't take it that Athena's children would enjoy me following Annabeth into their cabin.
We agreed on meeting at my cabin and parted with a smile that made me blush again. As I dropped her off and continued onto my own miniature house, I noticed as younger campers stared at me with awe. I tried to wave at a few but they scattered the moment we made eye contact. Smiling to myself, I hopped up the step to my cabin and swung open the door. As I touched the handle, I realized something felt different. When the smell of salt and seawater hit me at full blast, it didn't take me long to realize who was there.
