She honestly didn't know why.

Maybe that was a lie.

It was just unlike her, so unexpected.

Annabeth had been sitting on her bed alone in her room on the Argo II, thinking about things. Thinking about all of the messes they had to clean up, all for the people who could die if they didn't, all of the unknown factors, everything.

She'd thought the moment she got Percy back things would become clearer. Annabeth always liked to know all the details, the entire plan solid in her mind's eye. And, unfortunately, usually she didn't.

But never had she been on a quest as daunting as this one.

The possibility of losing Percy all over again, there was the issue with her mother, Leo's strange withdrawal.

It was scary. Never before had Annabeth felt so overwhelmed.

And so the first tear fell.

And then the next.

And another, and another, and another, until she was silently crying into her hands, confused and yet so sure.

Her jumbled thoughts were the reason she didn't hear the footsteps approach, or the sudden halt of them when they reached her door.

"Hey, Wise Girl, I--" Percy stopped.

Annabeth didn't meet his eyes, ashamed. She uselessly dragged a hand across her eyes, attempting to wipe the tears. But there were more to replace them, and the salty drops streaked down her cheeks despite her efforts.

Before she could say anything, to explain why she was such a mess (although there were no words), the bed dipped with the weight of another body as Percy took a seat beside her.

He had eased the door closed behind him and walked over as she made a fool of herself.

Wordlessly, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close. As she cried into him quietly, Percy rubbed her arm.

"I know." His voice was incredibly soft and low, yet even and silky. "It's frustrating, isn't it?"

He didn't seem to expect a response from her, so Annabeth just let herself cry.

"We don't know what's going to happen, or how we're going to do this--what's next?"

Annabeth gripped his shirt tighter.

"You're not alone."

Suddenly, words that had once seemed cliche and meaningless were so powerful.

"Hazel and Frank, Leo and Jason, Piper and I, we all feel the same way, Annabeth. It's okay."

Annabeth had calmed down. She focused on Percy's even breathing, the slight quiver in his voice when he said it was okay--something that made what he was saying all the more real.

They were interrupted by a solid knocking on her door. Without even looking up, Percy spoke.

"Not right now." His tone revealed nothing.

And from the crook of his neck, Annabeth peered up at him.

This boy was her Seaweed Brain. He was clumsy and idiotic and a giant goofball. He had only just been twelve years old--or so it seemed.

When and where did he acquire such an understanding, comforting tone? Such a quick brain that swiftly took care of the smallest things within half a second.

She sighed into his chest, breathing in the scent of the salty ocean.

"For the record," he whispered, "I would be concerned if you didn't get a good cry once and a while."

The trace of a smile touched Annabeth's lips.

"We're gonna do this. We're gonna kick Dirt Face's butt and shove it down her soily throat."

Percy let the words hang in the air for a moment, allowing Annabeth to vividly picture his description.

"And we're gonna do it together."

Not a suggestion. Or a question.

A statement. No, a promise. A firm, long standing promise.

For the first time in a while, hope flooded Annabeth's body, and she could barely remember the doubts she'd been having only a second ago.

She took in a shaky breath, pulling herself together with each second.

"Thank you," she breathed, fully convinced she had just fallen in love with Percy Jackson all over again.

a / n

i really enjoyed writing this, for some reason. it was just a quiet oneshot, you know ? a soft one. i literally felt peace when i was wracking my brain for words ( or i'm just overtired because it's almost 1am. either one ).

thank you guys for the endless support ❤️ it's been crazy so far, and i can't wait to keep going with you guys. thank you for letting me stay with my passion and encouraging it, even if you've never voted or left a comment.

ily !!

yours in demigodishness and all that,

~ grace 💙🍪💙🍪💙🍪💙