Percabeth One-Shots

63. Stars

I'm republishing this story here since the non-fanfic version I tried to actually get published didn't end up getting selected. Don't feel bad for me though, another short story and a poem I submitted did get published! So I'm returning this one-shot to the collection for those of you who say it and enjoyed it, and also for those of you who haven't gotten the chance to read it yet. Enjoy!

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"Did you ever think of who the gods made the stars for?" she sighed, her hand falling from her chest to rest in his.

He shrugged. "Themselves?"

"Maybe, but I don't know. I like to think they made the stars for us."

He propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at her. "Annabeth. There is no way the stars were made for us."

She looked up at him, folding her arms behind her head. "Not us, Seaweed Brain. For humans. Think about it." she breathed and he fell back to lay beside her.

"Wasn't it Ouranos who made the stars, or Zeus?"

She nodded. "It was. But Artemis made stars when Zo..."

He didn't say anything. They both looked at the sky, watching clouds move in front of constellations. "Why would they make the stars?"

"For humans." she answered. "The ones the gods loved but could never hold on to. There's thousands of stories like that, and stars serve as tribute."

"Did you read that somewhere?"

"No. I just like to think that." she sighed again. "What if the gods create stars to immortalize their children too. The best ones become a permanent addition to the sky. A constant reminder."

"Zeus probably picked up a few mortals by making them stars." she nudged him. "Ow."

"Percy, I'm serious." she looked back to the sky. "Think of all those people that were made into stars. Throughout all of time. Imagine the pain and suffering they all went through."

"Do you think it takes pain and suffering to become a star?"

"I hope not. But what if it does. The pain and suffering could have gotten them the best place in the universe. Imagine being able to watch everything from a distance, seeing everything beautiful in the world. All at once." there was a longing in her voice. All the knowledge that view would give her.

"A place of immortality." he breathed. "Far away from the world and its problems."

"Where they can live forever in the sky, visited only by the ones who loved them enough to put them there."

"That sounds lonely." he said.

"Maybe."

"I think it would be better to stay here. With you."

She smiled. "Me too, Seaweed Brain."

"You're the only stars I need, Wise Girl." he smiled too.

They both watched the sky shift, smiled adoring their face, unseen by the other. The stars could stay far away. They were right here, and that's all they needed.