Percy felt like crap.

He got to his feet as the hellhounds circled Annabeth and him, clutching his side.

"You okay?" Annabeth called.

Percy grunted in discomfort. "I'm fine."

She sent him a worried look, but was forced back to attention when a hellhound pounced, shoving her to the ground. She kicked it off, sending it flying over her head.

Percy brought his hand away from his side, grimacing at the red streaked across his fingers. "Come on," he muttered, frustrated at the last hellhound for clawing his guts out.

Luckily, they'd brought the five hellhounds to two, and Annabeth was very close to making that one.

Percy's eyes found the other hellhound, pacing back and forth on its massive paws, almost taunting him.

Finally, it lunged forward, and it was all Percy could do to stay on his feet as he kept his distance with Riptide.

In the secluded part of the forest they were in, there wasn't a drop of water to be seen. Not even a puddle surrounded them.

The mastiff swatted the sword from Percy's hands and wasted no time in advancing, leaving Percy defenseless until the pen returned to his pocket.

As the hellhound went in for the kill, Annabeth's drakon bone sword intercepted, swiftly leaving the monster nothing but an enormous pile of dust.

Percy sighed in relief as Annabeth reached out her hand to help him up.

"Thanks," he mumbled.

Annabeth dragged her eyes slowly across his body. "That was close."

Percy's vision blurred when he tried to take a step forward.

"Whoa, are you okay?" Annabeth reached out to keep him upright.

Percy nodded half-heartedly, feeling the wound he'd received in the fight, but kept his mouth shut about it. He could handle it until they were back at camp.

Annabeth took his hand. "Let's...head back."

Percy nodded again, but when they stepped forward, he winced and almost stumbled to his knees, Annabeth catching him.

"Hey, I got you." She gently checked him over for injuries, and when she came across the wound in his side, she gasped.

"Oh my gods Percy! I thought you said you were okay!"

"I didn't think it was that bad," Percy said through clenched teeth.

"You didn't think it was that bad? Are you looking at it?!"

Percy risked a look at his side, and seeing the raw skin almost made the pain flare.

"Okay," Annabeth said shakily. "Okay. Can you make it back to camp?"

Percy sucked in a breath when they tried to move forward. "I think I need to sit down."

Annabeth bit her lip as she slowly lowered both of them to the ground, Percy wincing the whole way.

She watched him breath heavily for a while, realizing this injury was serious. "We need a medic," she murmured.

"Okay," Percy said with effort. "You go find an Apollo kid."

Annabeth shook her head like it was on fire. "I'm not leaving you!"

Percy grasped her hand tightly, sweat forming in beads on his forehead. "I don't really think we have a choice."

Annabeth looked around. "Maybe if we could find water....Hey! Don't close your eyes! Stay with me."

Percy fought to stay conscious. "Actually," he grunted. "Water sounds amazing right now."

Annabeth struggled to pull herself together and look for any form of water––a stream, pond, even a small puddle––as Percy's breathing became more labored.

"Oh gods...I can't leave, we won't make it back in time."

Percy nodded, his grip on her hand suffocating. "It's okay. We'll figure it out...Use that Athena brain of yours."
He sucked in a sharp breath, and Annabeth gripped his hand.

"It's okay. I'm right here." She furrowed her brow, praying to the gods for a breakthrough.

Percy coughed, pressing his eyes together to block out the pain.

"You'll be fine," Annabeth said sternly. "I promise."

Percy didn't answer, focusing on staying awake and keeping his breathing as steady as possible. He knew if Annabeth left, no one would be there to keep him going. But if she stayed, she would be the only thing keeping him going.

"Ow," he said.

Annabeth brushed the hair plastered to his forehead off. "Dork."

Percy saw black dance at the edges of his vision. "Well...this isn't how I saw my morning going."

Annabeth buried her face in his chest. "Stay awake Percy. Don't you dare die on me. Not now."

"Annabeth...I'm not...dying."

"Excuse me, I don't know what gave me the idea." She gestured at his sickly form.

As if to prove her point, a new wave of pain washed over Percy, almost unbearable.

"Don't close your eyes, please don't close your eyes!" Annabeth scrambled to think of anything that might help. Binding the injury wouldn't help, it was too big, and much too raw. And trying to get him to stand might just kill him.

"I know this hurts," she whispered. "But you have to stay awake."

"Trying," Percy ground his teeth.

"Can you sense any water nearby?"

"Can't feel much of anything right now."

Annabeth cringed. "Oh gods, why now?"

"Hey." Percy reached up weakly to stroke her cheek. "I've been through worse."

Annabeth buried her face in his chest again. "You're making me feel bad."

Percy's eyes fluttered, struggling to stay open. His breath hitched, and Annabeth's sweet scent lulled him to sleep.

"Fight, Percy. You can do it. We can make this."

Her voice sounded faint, far away.

"Come on, you idiot. You're not going to let a stupid hellhound be your end." Annabeth was choking on tears, and Percy knew it.

That's what kept him just barely awake until a few shouts were heard to the left, and a group of campers burst through the bushes.

Annabeth noticed them, but didn't move her attention away from Percy. "That's it. You're alright. Keep your eyes open."

Will Solace fed him ambrosia and Annabeth distracted him as they lowered him onto a stretcher, and at that point the pain was so unbearable that Percy could hold on no longer.

Annabeth saw him let go, but she knew he was stable for now. The ambrosia would keep his heart beating till they got him back to camp.

––––––––––––––––––

Percy blinked as the searing light hit his eyes.

When his vision cleared, he recognized the infirmary around him. He lay in a bed, the white comforter pulled up to his chest, blocking his view of the bandages he knew were there.

Percy could breath again when he realized Annabeth was there, asleep in a chair, a book in her lap, hand intertwined with his.

He smiled at her, admiring how the sunlight hit her golden curls, how her brows were scrunched even in her sleep.

"Wise Girl," he whispered, squeezing her hand.

Annabeth stirred, causing the book to fall to the ground. "Huh?"

She caught sight of Percy, wide awake, and every ounce of sleep was knocked out of her.

"Percy!" She practically jumped on him with a hug, and despite the numbness throughout his ribs, Percy didn't mind.

"Hey, beautiful."

Annabeth pulled away, studying his face. "How do you feel?"

Percy rolled his shoulders, ignoring the pain. "I've been better. But I've also been way, way worse."

Annabeth didn't stop the smile from spreading onto her face. "You were out for three days," she said, hugging him again.

"Huh." Percy took her shoulders and gently pulled her out of the hug. "Guess we'll just have to catch up then."

It was the most relieving kiss Annabeth had ever received.

A/N: he he cliche as heck, but das okay. I'm also strictly a happy ending person, lol.

I hope you enjoyed this! I don't really know what it is, but it's a oneshot and it's Percabeth.

Has anyone noticed that I've been posting like every 2-3 days? Lol, I'm on a roll! Jkjk, this probably means I'll have writer's block soon XD

Yours in demigodishness and all that. Peace out.

~ Grace 💙🍪💙🍪💙🍪💙