Percy Jackson One Shots

The War's Over Yet We're Still Haunted (Part 2)- Percabeth

Working. That's all Annabeth could think about. Working. Working. Working. Percy. Oh Percy. The War tore all of them apart. So many lost. So many died, leaving an emptiness. Annabath was just trying to fill the void. She just, she needed to be productive. Keep occupied. Just...just busy. She didn't want to think about the war anymore. She didn't want to think about how teenagers had to fight a battle meant for gods. She didn't want to think how she and Percy went to a place meant to imprison literal monsters. She didn't want to think. How ironic. The daughter of Athena didn't want to think.

But even being busy couldn't stop the nightmares. She couldn't sleep, couldn't rest, couldn't even close her eyes. It's all too much. Because nothing really stops it. It's even harder for Percy. Annabeth knows this. She knows he needs her. But here she was being selfish, trying to chase it all away on her own. Not being able to be there for Percy. It's harder for them now. They don't know what to say. It was so easy before. But now everything's dark circles and haunted eyes only remind them of what they can't escape. Annabeth's pondering is cut of by a scream. Percy's scream.

She runs to see him curled in to a ball rocking back and forth, screaming with his eyes closed. A flashback. Of course. Annabeth slowly approaches him before gently shaking him and calling his name, her eyes tearing up. So much pain and war. It has left them scarred, and she just wishes it would stop. She doesn't want the boy she loves to suffer so much. That last person that deserves is Percy who's so loyal that it becomes his fatal flaw. Summer after summer, she wishes they could just stay safe, but every time it only seems to get worse.

Percy finally wakes up, and hugs her at the sight of her tears. Ready to comfort her when he was the one with the nightmare. Annabeth just didn't know what to do anymore.

"I'm sorry," Annabeth cries into Percy's shoulder. She finds herself repeating it as the darkness closes in on her, but then Percy's there kissing her.

"No, don't fall there. And you know it's not your fault wise girl. It's hard on both of us. I- I know you needed space. But I think we need to spend some time together. These nightmares..." Percy trails off unable to finishing but pressing Annabeth closer to him.

"They're getting worse. You got one even though you're out of bed, and I was about to fall into one right near you. If it can happen even when I'm near-"

"But it didn't."

Annabeth hums to herself, still tangled with Percy, she only presses closer and sighs. She realizes the solution to their problem may have been right in front of them the whole time.

"I'm sorry." She sounds exhausted.

"Annabeth, it's not-"

"But it is. I pushed you away. I got caught up in my work. It's my fault these nightmares are getting worse."

"What do you mean?"

"Tartarus still clings to us, sure. But we got through Tartarus together. And even now, we can only get each other out of these nightmares ourself. It's pretty obvious that we're the solution, and as long we're together these nightmares can go away. It might be slow, but it's still possible. So obvious. I just- I didn't want to see that solution because it's hard these days. It's not the same as it used to be, and I don't want to lose you. And-"

Percy cuts her off with a kiss.

"I love you wise girl. And nothing will ever change that. You have done nothing wrong. I haven't been great at staying with you either. And everyone needs their own time to figure things out. Remember I'm the seaweed brain here, not you. You're my wise girl. And I know you can figure this out and we can get through this together."

Annabeth smiles up at Percy.

"We do got this. When did you get so deep?" She questions while Percy laughs.

"I've had a lot of time to think these days." Percy says ruefully. Annabeth suddenly sobers.

"How can I help you Percy? I know it's been really hard for you and no matter what you say, I'm still sorry I couldn't be there for you. But what can I do now? What do you need? Where do you want to go? We can go back to your parents or New Rome, say the word and we can go. I can take my work anywhere, and I'm going to be spending more time with you anyways. But who else do you want to see?"

Percy takes a deep breath and thinks.

"I think. I think I need to see my mom. And maybe New Rome? See some of the others? I'm... I'm not sure..."

"That's fine. Let's start there. We'll leave to see your mom next week. From there, the world is our oyster. We can figure this out. I love you Percy." Annabeth leans up to give Percy another kiss.

"I love you too." Percy whispers against her lips.