Reading is Fundamental

IX - Percy - Codeine

*peeks out from my cave* Hi. *glances around* Sorry *strategic retreat*

Warning: Discussion of underage drug use, Opiate Addiction. Discussion of gang violence, child abuse, and brief mention of suicidal thoughts

"Why did you never tell me?" Annabeth asked, lying on his chest.

Percy didn't know how to answer. He'd told himself that he didn't want to make her upset, or that he didn't want to change her perception of him, but now, thinking about it, that wasn't true at all. "I think," he began, "I think telling someone makes it feel more real. If none of you guys know, I can just deny that it ever happened."

Annabeth hummed, content in his answer.

"And.. I won't look at you the same, now. It's not necessarily a bad thing, it just... is."

"What do you mean?"

"When I look at you, or think about you, I can't forget that you know now. I mean, I'm sure it'll fade with time and I'll get used to it, but... you're part of that life now. You know about it, so it like 'lives on within you', I guess."

The sun had long since set, but the beach seemed to stay warm even during the night. Whether that was the natural climate here or some magic the book did, Percy didn't know. They were stretched out on a huge beach towel bed, complete with pillows and a nice duvet, just watching the stars.

The skies were clear here, in a way even camp couldn't deliver. In Manhattan most nights it was too bright to see any at all. This was a welcome change.

"Does it bother you, me knowing?" Annabeth asked, tracing a pattern on his chest.

"A bit, but not as much as I thought it would," he admitted. "I think it's just more of a relief than anything else."

He felt her smile against his shoulder. "Good."

Percy took in a deep breath of the night air. Somehow, even though he had never been here before, it felt like home.

"Why were you mad?" he asked, breaking the short silence.

Annabeth adjusted her shoulders a bit, settling in. "What do you mean?"

"Earlier, when I talked about the drugs stuff," he said, "you got mad."

She went silent. "Percy, are you really asking me to explain to you why drugs are bad?"

"No," he scoffed, "just... it didn't hurt anyone. It helped me stay sane, and I don't think it did any long term damage. I feel fine."

Annabeth moved, propping herself up on an elbow to look into his eyes. She didn't seem very impressed with his reasoning. "Well, how would you feel if I did drugs?" she asked.

Immediately, Percy scowled. The idea of Annabeth even talking to the sleazebags he'd gotten used to in Hell made his blood boil. They had no business anywhere near his girlfriend. It was like sending a dove into a flock of carnivorous pigeons. And the concept of her shooting up, snorting coke, anything like that, was even worse. No one had the right to endanger anything so incredible, not even Annabeth Chase.

She watched his expression and smirked. "Exactly."

Percy scoffed. "Okay, but it's not the same."

"So tell me how it's different, oh wise one."

"You're you, and I'm... me," he said, putting two very different strains on the words.

She just shook her head. "Percy you're saying nothing."

He sighed. She had to have noticed it by now. "We are so different. You're... name brand, and I'm Walmart. You're the Persephone to my Hades. You're Manhattan and I'm The Bronx."