Inspired by a chapter in a book: Percabeth Moments written by Aria Taylor on Fanfiction.Net

No, I did not copy it. I changed it up a bit but some parts are similar.

They were in Tartarus.

Tartarus, the deepest place in the Underworld. Tartarus, the prison for every monster who had ever been killed, god, titan, giant. Tartarus, the location of the Doors of Death which they were supposed to find and close. Tartarus, the place where they're going to die.

As they walked through the pit, Annabeth couldn't help the overwhelming sensation of guilt that pulsed through her veins. It was all her fault. If she had only been smart enough and cut that spider's silk when she saw it, they would have been on the Argo II with all their friends. But no, her brain was foggy and she pushed the thought aside like it was no big deal.

But gods, it was a big deal. It had pulled Annabeth and Percy down into the depths of Tartarus where they were most likely going to accept their fate and die at the hands of a monster or starvation.

Percy. Oh, gods, Percy. Annabeth had just pulled him with her down into this pit of doom without a second thought. She should have let go of his hand when they were hanging off that ledge. That way she wouldn't have basically confirmed his death in the war.

All this because of Annabeth's mistake.

Annabeth didn't realize she was shaking until Percy pulled her closer, rubbing his calloused hand up and down her arm. The warmth of his body blocked out most of the biting cold of the pit. He kissed the top of her head, making her heart flutter, and whispered, "Are you okay?"

What a stupid question. She could have laughed. Oh, yeah, sure, she's all sunshine and laughs right about now. Taking an awesome adventure throughout hell! No, she was not okay! By all means she was the exact opposite of okay.

But, pushing her negative thoughts aside, she nodded. If she wanted to make it out of here, with Percy by her side, she needed to stay strong. There was no time for crying or feeling weak. She couldn't just sit and call it quits. She was Annabeth Chase and she was going to fight.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Annabeth lied. "How are you?"

Percy laughed quietly. Around them, everything seemed to freeze as if laughing was forbidden or never heard of down here. Which it probably was. "Oh you know, tracking through the depths of hell with my girlfriend. How greater could it be?"

"Mhm," Annabeth hummed, the guilt swirling in her stomach.

They'd been walking for over a couple hours and her ankle throbbed painfully. Sharp pains shot up her leg everytime she put weight onto it. Whether she liked it or not, she needed to stop and take a rest. Just for a few minutes.

When they came across a ledge where they could sit, Annabeth tugged on his arm. "Hey, can we take a rest? Just for a couple minutes, please?" He nodded, not saying a word, and sat down next to her.

He wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders and she leaned into his chest, listening to his fast paced heartbeat. "Do you think it's weird that we haven't been attacked yet?" He broke the silence.

Annabeth shrugged. She knew the monsters were there, watching their every move. She could practically feel their eyes on her back at that moment. But, why weren't they attacking? Two of the most powerful demigods were strolling around, with only one weapon.

"I... don't know," She admitted, embarrassed. She was a daughter of Athena, she should know. But the more she thought about it, the more lost she got. It didn't make sense. Their scents were strong, monsters should have started to attack them right as they landed.

"But, they're everywhere," Percy said, a crease between his eyebrows. He was just as confused as she was.

Annabeth paused. "You feel them too?"

Percy nodded. "Yeah. They're everywhere. No matter where we are, I feel them. It's creepy."

A scary thought crossed her mind. "What if- what if they're waiting?"

"Waiting for what?"

"To attack. What if... a certain monster gets the first move. Then after that monster attacks, it's like a signal to the other monsters that it's okay." The words sent shivers down her spine.

It could quite possibly be true. There could be something out there keeping them from attacking, making them wait until they gave the word. Annabeth had no idea what it was but she wasn't sure she wanted to know.

They decided it was time to keep moving. They couldn't sit around and just wait to be killed. That was not what demigods were trained to do. She grabbed onto his hand and he pulled her up, her ankle throbbing when she stood but she ignored it.

Walking in silence, Annabeth kept glancing up at Percy. Besides the gnawing guilt, she was quite grateful he had fallen with her. At least she wasn't alone. And if they did manage to make it out, that was a very low chance, everything could go back to normal.

He looked down as they walked, kicking pebbles away with his dirty tennis shoes. His green eyes were surprisingly bright for being in Tartarus, which made Annabeth confused. She was one hundred percent sure hers were dark and stormy, a dark grey, possibly close to black even.

She didn't understand how Percy's could be so bright in such a dark and scary place. But his eyes were the only part of him that showed any sign of joy. The rest of him sent an aura of unhappiness to everything around him.

His Camp Half-Blood shirt was signed from the Phlegethon and the bottom was torn a bit from where he ripped a piece off to help wrap Annabeth's ankle. HIs hair was messier than usual and dirt had crusted itself onto the dark strands. His face, that was usually tan, was now pale and bloody, his lips chapped and cracking.

But the way he walked, with purpose in every stride, told her that he was confident that they could survive this. Percy had always been dead set on that if they were together, they could get through anything which isn't necessarily untrue but in this circumstance, she doubted it. 

Annabeth thought back about when he was a scrawny wimpy kid who she nursed back to health when they were twelve. She never really took time to notice how much he had really changed. Not just looks, personality too. Though he was still a seaweed brain, there was a sense of maturity and seriousness too.

But he was also taller, stronger, and, she wouldn't admit it to anyone, but very good looking, hot even. If she could take a cloth and wipe away all the blood and grime, she could pinpoint every good feature, not that anything about him was bad.

She still couldn't believe that he was hers. She was his. And that he had fallen with her. Instead of saving himself, gods she hated him for not doing that, he fell with her. His selflessness and loyalty showed greatly at that moment. And she knew that deep down, that small twelve-year-old boy was still there. His loyalty was just as strong now as it was back then.

And that was the part of him she loved the most.

"What are you thinking about?" Percy asked, interrupting her train of thought.

"Huh?" Annabeth asked. "Oh, uh, you."

Right as she said that, she blushed bright red but hopefully the red glow of Tartarus covered it up. He didn't need to get a big head, which he probably already got one when she admitted to thinking about him.

She'd never really thought of Percy like that. Not even after they started dating, they still had been best friends for four years before that and she had still been getting used to it. Well, okay, the way he looked while sword fighting or in battle had flashed through her mind a couple times. Oh, and his smile. His smile had butterflies swarming around her stomach.

But she refused to be that girlfriend. The one who's always drooling over her boyfriend and not actually hanging out with him. Annabeth had no idea what made her think like that, maybe it was that Percy was the only realistic positive thing to think about right now.

"Hm, really?" Percy wiggled his eyebrows. "And what were you thinking?"

"How you're an idiot," She answered.

"Hey!"

Annabeth smiled, letting out a small laugh but then she froze. A faint sound of scuttling making its way to her ears. And she only knew of one monster that scuttled around, one with many many legs.

"You okay, Annabeth?" Percy asked.

She shushed him. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what? I didn't hear anything?" Percy said.

Annabeth heard it again. Louder this time. It sent chills down her spine and she suppressed from shivering. It made Annabeth's breaths short, ragged breaths. A sound that resembled small legs crawling around the dusty ground.

"Stop," She ordered, placing a hand on his chest. They stopped in their tracks, looking around for any sign of a monster. Their hearts pounded wildly in their chests, blood pounded in their ears. Annabeth heard it again and her hands shook. Her old childhood fear started coming back.

The sound grew louder and Annabeth replayed the monster's last words.

If I go to Tartarus, you come too.

Annabeth knew she couldn't fight this monster again. She was still shaken up about the fall that was caused by this monster. How was she supposed to fight her again? Without a weapon?

"What is it?" Percy asked beside her.

His question was answered seconds later when a huge spider jumped out from behind a clutter of rocks in front of them. Annabeth shrieked and jumped to the side, the spider stumbling to a stop between them.

They stood and Percy drew his weapon, ready to fight.

Voice shaking, Annabeth said, "Arachne."

"Oh gods. I don't have a fear of spiders and she still scares me," Percy muttered.

Annabeth was too frozen in fear to roll her eyes at her boyfriend's snarky comment. All she could think about was Arachne was the reason none of the monsters were attacking. And why they were down here in the first place. Red hot rage filled her vision.

She surged forward but Percy grabbed her arm. "Annabeth, no. You don't even have a weapon."

"I'll figure it out. This is my fight, she wants me, not you." Annabeth looked back at him.

Their eyes met, green and grey. Two colors familiar to the both of them. Their heart beats synchronized and they reached forward at the same time, their lips meeting. They both knew a deadly monster was most likely watching but screw it. It may be the last kiss they ever shared.

Annabeth knew he'd never let her go alone but she didn't question it. "I love you," She muttered once they pulled away, their eyes opening slowly.

"I love you too." Percy swallowed thickly and handed her his sword. "Take it."

"No." Annabeth handed it back. "Are you helping or not?"

Percy grinned and together, they charged.

How they were going to do this with one weapon, she had no idea. But knowing them, they could figure it out as long as they were together. She had to push the doubt away and reassure herself that it was going to be okay.

Arachne snarled. "Daughter of Athena-" She made a face. "-we meet again."

"Seems so," Annabeth snapped. "Let's just get this over with. I'll beat you just as my mother did so don't get your hopes up."

Aracnhe growled and launched herself at Annabeth but Percy jumped in front of her, his sword held up. "Move, son of Poseidon, this is the Athena spawn and my fight." She tried to push him away but he gathered strength and pushed her backward.

Annabeth was startled at his strength and the rage in his eyes.

"You don't touch her!" Percy shouted and stabbed at one of her many legs.

It looked like he was winning, sword against legs, but Annabeth knew he couldn't keep it up much longer. As much as she trusted her boyfriend, he was still human and didn't have the strength of a god.

Feeling useless, Annabeth grabbed a large stone, about the size of her head, and hurled it at the mother of spiders, careful not to hit Percy. The rock smacked her in the side of her ugly face and she tipped sideways, giving Percy some time to recompose.

Annabeth racked her brain for all the information she knew about Arachne. One, Arachne could only be defeated with trickery. Two, she knew she was an arrogant mortal who thought she was better at weaving than Athena, the goddess of crafts. Three, if you insulted her, she would do things that you wanted to do.

Maybe the third option would work.

Cupping her hands to the sides of her mouth, Annabeth shouted, "Your fighting is worse than your weaving skills, Arachne!"

Arachne tore her fierce gaze away from Percy and to Annabeth. She screamed, "I am the best weaver in all of Greece! Possibly in all of the world!"

"Then tell me how my mother won the contest," Annabeth deadpanned.

"Athena lied!" Arachne shouted. "She went around after saying she won but really, she was just jealous of how great of a weaver I am!"

Annabeth and Arachne circled each other. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, making it hard to concentrate on what she was doing. It took every bit of strength in her not to scream and hide behind Percy. But that wouldn't have been fair. This was her fight, not his. She couldn't rely on him all the time.

"That sounds like something a jealous or sore loser would say," Annabeth spat.

"No, I won," Arachne insisted. "How would you know, weakling. How could you possibly know who won- which was me- if you weren't even there? Hm?"

"And here you are, as a spider," Annabeth said.

Arachne glared, a horrible paralyzing glare that made Annabeth's bone rattle. The spider smiled menacingly, showing off her razor sharp teeth. Fear coursed its way through Annabeth's body once again and she was frozen, her feet super glued to the ground.

She moved closer to Annabeth, studying her like she could be her next meal which she probably could be. All Annabeth could do was stand there and stare, ignoring Percy's shouts.

"Annabeth!" He shouted. "She's coming right at you! Move!"

Percy charged at Arachne, but the spider was much faster and far too smart to be caught off guard. She turned her attention from Annabeth to Percy, meeting his sword with one of her legs, blocking him from harming her.

He fought with everything he had, using moves he learned the past few years, faking stabs and thrusts. He looked like a true warrior in Annabeth's eyes- using a sword like he's been using one for his whole life. That was probably why he was the best swordsman.

But Percy's grip slackened and Arachne pushed him closer and closer to the edge.

Annabeth realized what was happening too late.

Right as she was about to scream a warning to Percy, Arachne put one of her front legs on his chest and pushed him. Percy fell onto his back and he let go of riptide, leaving it beside him. Arachne bent down and sneered, "Die." Then she pushed him off the cliff.

Time stopped. Everything turned to slow motion. She couldn't believe it. Her eyes widened when she saw Percy was no longer there. All that was left was his sword that was dagling close to the edge. She lunged and grabbed it before Arachne could push that off too.

She felt like her heart had been physically ripped out of her chest. It throbbed painfully, so much that it blocked out the pain of her ankle. She was now alone. In the pit full of monsters. And it was all her fault.

Staring down the cliff, Annabeth realized there was no way he could have survived that fall. It was too high up, she couldn't even see the bottom.

"He's dead," Arachne whispered from behind her but Annabeth was too scared to feel scared.

"No." Annabeth shook her head and turned around, standing back up, riptide held tightly in her right hand. It was heavy and made her feel off balanced but it had to work. She needed to defeat this horrid monster. For Percy.

"Oh, but yes," Arachne said, scuttling over in front of Annabeth. "He was worthless anyway. Don't worry, he won't even be missed. Useless demigod."

Anger replaced Annabeth's sadness for the moment, hot tears pooled in her grey eyes, and she glared at her enemy. "You don't get to talk about him that way, got it?"

"Don't tell me what to do," Arachne snarled, getting ready to attack.

"I'll say whatever I want. I am at a higher standard than you." Annabeth rolled her watery eyes.

Arachne charged but this time, Annabeth was ready. She was armed with a weapon, though it wasn't her preferred one- that was a dagger- it would work. She drew riptide and thrusted it at Arachne but she stopped short, not wanting to be stabbed.

The two fought, Annabeth fought more than she had in a long time, putting all her strength and emotion into it. With every stab, thrust, and block, a new surge of confidence filled her. She could do this. She did it once before, she could do it again.

Arachne laughed. "You think you can beat me, child? Look at you, you can barely keep yourself together. Trust me, surrender to me and I'll make your death quick and painless. Unlike your boyfriend, Peter."

"It's Percy!" Annabeth growled and managed to stab Arachne's abdomen but it wasn't enough. Arachne smiled and thrust out her front two legs, pushing Annabeth down onto a lying position beside the ledge, her head dangled over the chasm.

Then she heard a rush of water.

"I'll say it again, d-" Arachne was interrupted by a wave of water that crashed into her. She was thrown backward onto her back, her legs squirming as she tried to get right side up.

Annabeth laid on the ground, breathing heavily. She looked and laughed out of relief.

A small hurricane surrounded her-supposed- to- be- dead- boyfriend and held him in the air. His eyes were bright and living, not dull and lifeless. He was very much alive and was fighting Arachne with his element of power- water.

She closed her eyes and listened to everything around her- the rush of water, Percy's shouts, and Arachne's blood curdling scream and the sound of crumbling. Then Arachne was gone. Annabeth smiled to herself and opened her eyes. They had won.

"Annabeth!" Percy called to her once he was on solid ground, the water back where it came from. Annabeth looked up to find Percy who was dry and looking more alive than he had since they had fallen.

She stood and ran straight into his arms. He engulfed her in a big hug and they stayed like that for a while, relishing the fact that they were okay. Annabeth cried into his chest, letting out what she'd been feeling the past hour of two. Percy comforted her by whispering sweet nothings into her ear, running his fingers through her hair, and kissing the top of her head.

"You okay?" Percy asked for the third time after she stopped crying.

"I'm fine," Annabeth whispered. "Wait, no, I'm not fine. I'm scared and I need you more than ever. I can't lose you again."

In response, Percy pulled her close and pressed his dry but warm lips to hers.

When they pulled apart, he placed a loose curl behind her ear and said, "I'll try not to fall off a cliff anytime soon. Two times is enough for me."

Annabeth laughed, overwhelmed with joy and relief, and set her head against his chest.

"So, what do we do from here?" Percy asked.

She shrugged. "I don't know. We keep moving until we find the doors of death. It's not going to be a peaceful thought. Arachne got to me first so now all the other monsters are allowed to."

Percy gazed at her love and worry in his eyes. "I love you, Annabeth," He said honestly.

"I love you too, Percy," Annabeth replied just as honest.

"We're going to get out of here alive," He assured her.

Annabeth knew that wasn't true. They had maybe a one percent chance of making it out of Tartarus, not even half. No demigod- besides Nico but he was the son of Hades which might make it different- had made it out alive.

Nonetheless, she slipped her fingers through hers and said, "As long as we're together."