Something to Fight For (Percy Jackson and the Avengers Crossover)

Prologue

"Percy, you can't do this forever."

The heavy sound of a sword hitting wood rang out consistently in the room. The light flickered occasionally, like a firefly in the night. Annabeth stood near the doorway, the dim light making her hair seem like warm amber.

"Annabeth," Percy acknowledged her, not stopping his repetitive hits on the wooden dummy.

"Please Perce, just go to bed," she pleaded quietly. Still, the incessant noise rang out, amplified by the night air. The expression on her boyfriend's face made her heart tremble with pain. His eyes were gleaming like a knife in the dark, the usual teasing light snuffed out and replaced with cold ice.

"I can't sleep," he replied, slamming the wooden sword down and flinching when it shattered into a thousand tiny splinters. He dropped it as if it was made of burning metal and staggered away.

Annabeth hurried over, checking that he was unharmed and safe. Safe with her. "Neither can I, but we need our strength," she murmured. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly. Percy remained still for a moment but slowly returned the embrace.

"Let's go back," Annabeth coaxed him gently, and this time, Percy followed her obediently, like a lost sheep in endless plains of darkness. Gripping his hand tightly, Annabeth led him back to the cabins, promising that she would never lose him again. 

***

"Chiron, I think he's getting worse," Annabeth confided with a sigh. Chiron watched her carefully, noting that she too was looking exhausted.

"Annabeth, he needs time. We all know what the war did to him," he reassured her with a warm smile. "All he needs is time."

"I know, but it's already been a long time. Two years Chiron!" she exclaimed. The time had passed so quickly, she had barely noticed. Now that he had mentioned time, she realised with a sinking heart how long it had been already.

"Patience. The mind takes longer to heal," Chiron said, patting her hands gently. "Last night was the first in a week right?"

Annabeth hesitated. Chiron had spoken the truth, before, it had been almost every night. "I suppose," she whispered.

From the window of the Big House, she saw a familiar looking face pass by. It was Percy. Chiron noticed as well and nodded to her.

"Go to him."

Percy ran a hand over his face tiredly. If Annabeth hadn't come to get him last night, he didn't know how long he would have been there. Seeing her walk out of the Big House, he jogged over, a smile dancing on his lips.

"Annie!" he called as he neared her. She rolled her eyes in mild annoyment and playfully hit his arm.

"Don't call me that Kelp," she laughed. This was the Percy she had grown to love, this was the Percy from before the war.

"Oh I know you love it anyway," he winked at her and received another whack. "Come on, I have something to show you."

Annabeth's eyes widened in surprise, and they filled with joy and love. Percy kissed her tenderly on the forehead and dragged her with him to the canoe lake.

When they arrived, Annabeth was stunned to see a picnic basket set out on the grass, and a checkered mat spread out as well. It was like a scene from a movie. She turned to look at Percy, and he blushed as red as the evening sunset.

"Well, I know I've been distant lately and it's troubling you, so I thought I would make up for it," he mumbled awkwardly.

Annabeth laughed, though her eyes were beginning to slowly pool with tears.

"You know I love you so much I don't care," she whispered, hugging Percy and kissing him on the lips. He returned the kiss almost instantly, and Annabeth felt that she was falling in a pit of happiness and joy. It wasn't a bad thing.

"Mm, let's eat lunch," Percy pulled her down next to him, breaking the kiss. Annabeth glared at him but sat down.

"Okay! I have muffins, doughnuts, cupcakes and chips," Percy declared as he brought the food out of the basket. "Oh, and chocolate shaped fruit."

"Is anything healthy?" Annabeth asked.

Percy gulped under her menacing gaze. "Uh...no?"

"Perseus Jackson, how many times have I told you to eat healthily?" Annabeth scowled darkly at him. Percy waved his hands nervously, stuttering out a lame response.

"I tried! I swear I tried, but it's too hard!" he protested.

Some campers turned their heads in surprise when Percy's scream rang out from the lake. Most of them ignored it and turned back to whatever they were doing, and a few of the younger ones shivered in fear.

This was fairly normal.