Submerged

~One~

The war with Gaia had cost much. Some parts of camp still needed to be rebuilt, beds that were once full remained empty, and people who used to only smile rarely did.

Yes, it was true that the war had cost much, but it cost one thing no one thought would be lost. They lost one smile they never thought they'd lose.

They lost Percy Jackson.

Percy rarely came out of his cabin, and if he did he didn't talk. He never laughed, he never even smiled. It was like the world had drained him of everything he had, and he was drowning in his own depression, he was being submerged in a sea he couldn't swim out of.

After a few weeks, Annabeth decided he needed someone. He had time to grieve, time to become like everyone else. He had time to become normal, but he hadn't taken it.

The blond walked into the Posiedon cabin, "Percy?"

Percy Jackson seemed to look worse every day. His muscles tan skin had turned paler and skinny, showing ever bone he had. The dark bags under his eyes made them all know he hadn't gotten any sleep.

"Hey wise girl," Percy said, lacking his excitement. His voice was hoarse from crying and screaming at night.

"Percy, are you okay?" Annabeth asked, "Wait, don't answer that. I can tell you're not. Come on, join us outside of this cabin, smile. We'll help you, we know what you going through,"

"With all due respect, Annabeth, I don't think you do. No offense but you don't understand any of what I've went through. They hunted down my mom, my sister, and Paul. They are dead because of me. And I've lost so many friends to the wars. I'm not going to be the exact same person as I always was. I'm sorry,"

"Percy? No, you've always been able to handle it,"

"No I don't think I have. I'm sorry, Annabeth, I really want to be like I was, to be happy again but it's hard. You of all people should no how I feel. Give me time,"

"How much time?"

Percy shook his head softly, "I don't know, I'm sorry,"

Annabeth left the cabin, moving to find the seven. "He said he needs more time,"

Jason have her a questioning look, "maybe I should talk to him. After all I'm the best friend he's ever had, and I know what he's going through. I've been through it too,"

The son of Zeus went to the Posiedon cabin, opening the door and walking in to greet his friend. "Hey Perce, I know what you're going through. Just go back to normal and the feelings will fade. I'm your best friend, I know how you feel,"

"I'm sorry Jason, but I don't think you do. If you did, you'd understand I can't just 'go back to normal' that's more how that goes. And if you were really my best friend you would focus more on getting me to smile and not go back to how I was when I don't know how. And I haven't seen my best friend since the war with Kronos. I don't even know if he's still alive so please understand that I have my own issues you could never understand,"

"Where did all that come from? Percy I am your best friend. I know you, where did all that come from? You've never been that way before,

"If you really knew me you would've known that I have always been that way. And sometimes all it takes is one more brick to cause the boat to sink. I feel like I'm being submerged while all you can do is fly. So please, leave me alone for now, I'll be back when I'm ready,"

Jason left the cabin, saying the same things about Annabeth.

"Hey guys, where's Percy?" A new voice said. The group turned around to find Grover Underwood standing there.

"Hi, your Grover Underwood right? Percys acquaintance or something," Jason asked.

Grover laughed, "Try best friend. But yeah, I'm Grover. Where's perce?"

"He's in his cabin, ever since the war ended he doesn't come out of his cabin anymore," Jason said, shrugging his shoulders, "he says he feels submerged, whatever that means,"

"I know exactly what that means," Grover said, "how do you not know? It's obvious, everything he's pushed out is coming back at once. Instead of dealing with his years of blocked out grief individually, he's facing them on headfirst. He doesn't understand how to do things with others, he thinks he's the only one who can take this on,"

"H-how did you know that?" Annabeth asked.

"I'm honestly surprised you don't know," Grover shook his head, "I'm going to go talk to him. I'll see you later,"

"Good luck. If he won't talk to his best friend or girlfriend I doubt he'll talk to you," Jason said.

Grover shook his head, almost as if trying not to laugh, "Well that's your problem, he hasn't talked to his best friend yet. I have an empathy link with him, I know him. That's why I came here, so let me give it a shot,"

The lord of the wild walked to the Posiedon cabin, knocking in the door. "Hey perce, you got room in there for one more?"

"Grover!" Percy yelled, his voice still hoarse. The door swung open and Percy hugged his best friend while a small smile appeared on his face, though it left quickly.

The two went inside. Grover sat across from Percy in the bed he had claimed as his own, "I know your going through tough times, I literally feel it. Just know I'm there to talk, until then, I'm here to have fun. I saw bessy the other day,"

"Your kidding?!" Percy said, a small smile appearing on his face that actually lasted. He gave a slight chuckle, "you know, you're the only one who calls her that besides me,"

The two laughed some more. Grover gave a small smile, "I'm gonna grab my stuff, you still okay if I stay here?"

"I always am,"

When Grover walked outside, he was met with Annabeths and Jason's mouths wide open. "H-how did you do that?"

Grover just smiled, "like I said, he's my best friend,"