a / n : hello demigods !

so this is seriously short. i was stuck in the car for a couple of hours ( which is how my last oneshot came to be ) and this just kinda happened.

i don't really know about it. it feels too eh to post, but also like i have to post it cuz it's something.

lol, idk.

but i hope you enjoy it ( unedited and random as it is ) !

/

Tartarus wasn't what Percy thought it'd be.

It was worse.

He hated how everything was against them, and he couldn't stand the unsmiling face of Annabeth for so long.

He tried his best to make her smile, but at this point all they could do was keep themselves alive so they could make it to the Doors.

They were resting just off the shore of the river of fire, and Annabeth had her head on his shoulder.

"I'm so tired," she muttered.

With his arm around her, he rubbed her shoulder. "I know. We just have to go a little farther."

Annabeth sighed. "I know," she whispered.

Percy nodded and went silent. He knew how tired she was, because he felt the same way.

If they didn't get some rest, they'd collapse.

"Go to sleep," he told her.

Annabeth pulled away and looked at him. "I won't if you don't let yourself as well. You can't keep going like this."

Percy brought a shaky hand up and tucked a strand of her disheveled hair behind her ear. "Annabeth, just listen to me. There's no point in arguing."

Annabeth settled her head back on his shoulder with a sigh. "I'm too exhausted to."

He smiled a little and pulled Riptide form his pocket, keeping it capped.

"I love you."

Annabeth's voice was sleepy, but he heard the meaning behind it.

They'd both come to the same conclusion: if they died here, that should be the last thing they say to each other.

"Love you too. And we're gonna get out of here."

Annabeth reached for his hand blindly and put them in her lap. "Don't fall asleep...Seaweed Brain."

And with that single command, even the thought of closing his eyes for a moment didn't enter his mind.

/

( art by viria )