The actual process of leaving Atlantis was much more frantic than Annabeth had expected. They'd been arranging it for days and the staff had been fully prepared the evening prior, but everything seemed a bit more rushed. It didn't make things better when Percy arrived late.

Sprinting down the palace steps, Percy all but jumped into the carriage. As the carriage rocked and Percy panted heavily, Annabeth raised an eyebrow at him.

"When you said you needed to talk to your father," she said, "I didn't think it would take so long."

"Me neither," Percy murmured.

Outside of the carriage, someone shouted and soon they began to move. Percy drew the curtains closed.

"Was he really that upset?" Annabeth asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

In the seat across from her, Percy avoided her gaze.

Annabeth hadn't been too sure what Percy had wanted to speak with his father about, but she had assumed it was about her going with them to Athens. She hadn't wanted to get further involved and she had fully intended to let Percy decide if he wanted to tell her about the conversation, but he was very pointedly not looking at her. It was worrying.

"Percy?"

"He's not angry with you," Percy assured her. It only sort of calmed her worries. "It's not―He's not angry at all."

Silence filled the carriage for a minute as Annabeth waited for Percy to continue.

"He's worried," Percy muttered. His eyes flickered over to her before he looked away again.

"About me." It wasn't a question. Everything about Percy's demeanour told her something was wrong and it had to do with her. 

Percy's shoulders dropped and when he finally turned to look at her, Annabeth's breath caught in her throat. Whatever Poseidon had been worried about, he'd clearly told Percy.

She was at his side a second later. As soon as she touched his shoulder, he leaned into her and took a shaky breath. It was an awkward position and not something she could sustain for the entirety of the ride to Athens, but Percy was her biggest concern at the moment. He buried his face in her chest and clung to her almost painfully.

"Oh, Percy," she murmured, wrapping one arm around his shoulders and pulling him closer yet. With her other hand, she combed her fingers through his hair and peppered soft kisses to his head. Very quietly, she asked, "What did he tell you?"

Percy's arm around her waist tightened and Annabeth pressed another firm kiss to his head.

Turning his head so she could understand him, he whispered, "My mother died in Athens."

Annabeth's fingers stilled in his hair for just a second, but it was enough for Percy to notice.

He shifted in her arms but before he could pull away, Annabeth held him tightly. Her fingers resumed brushing through his hair and after a very long moment of hesitancy, Percy relaxed against her.

"He's afraid―" Percy's voice broke and he choked on his words. "―if you go, the same―"

Annabeth shushed him gently, smoothing out his hair and sinking to the floor in front of him.

As she moved, Percy grabbed at her frantically and Annabeth let him take her hand. Her other hand framed his face and she gently brushed her thumb across his cheek. Kneeling on the carriage floor in front of him, she had to look up to meet his eyes.

"It will be okay, Percy," she promised softly. "I will be okay."

"You can't promise that." His tone was accusing, but his eyes were teary and she could see poorly hidden panic in them. She didn't hold his tone against him. 

"I can promise that I won't be rash," she replied. Percy's lips thinned and she squeezed his hand. "I can't promise no one will try to attack me or the palace, but I can promise that I won't seek one out."

"It won't be enough," Percy warned, pulling her hand to his chest.

His grip on her hand was becoming tighter with every passing second, but Annabeth didn't dare tell him to let go. Not when he was looking at her with so much worry. Even if he crushed her fingers, Annabeth wasn't sure she would be able to bring herself to make him let go.

"There will be soldiers around us both at all times," Annabeth reminded him. "There's nothing more you could possibly do to guarantee my safety."

Unfortunately, that didn't reassure Percy half as much as she had hoped. His hold on her hand only tightened and the fear in his eyes stayed right where it was. 

With little else she could do, Annabeth moved back up on the carriage seat beside him. Just like he had a few moments earlier, Percy pulled her impossibly close. Annabeth wound her arm around his shoulders and shifted on the seat of the carriage until they were both more comfortable. She had the feeling Percy wouldn't be moving for the remainder of the ride.

* * * * *

At some point during their journey, a group of soldiers broke off ahead of the carriage to set up camp. While a good portion of the soldiers remained near their carriage, Annabeth could tell that Percy was not entirely at ease with the idea.

"They set up camp for us, Percy," Annabeth reminded him. "The least you can do is not scowl."

It took a bit of convincing, but when Jason knocked on their carriage door, Percy had stopped grumbling.

"Who twisted your toga?" Jason muttered, stepping aside as Percy all but stomped out of the carriage.

"The division of guards," Annabeth said, hurrying down after Percy. "We trust you entirely, Jason, but he's just..." 

Annabeth trailed off, watching as Percy stalked through the camp in silence. While he didn't scowl or grumble, it was clear to anyone watching that he was not very pleased.

"I believe I understand," Jason murmured, watching Percy as well. Turning back to Annabeth, he offered her his arm and said, "He's worried about you. I would feel the same if Piper was with me."

Annabeth knew little about Jason and his wife, but from what Percy had told her, both were close friends of his. He had promised to take her to meet Piper eventually, but until they took care of the remaining Tartarians, they would have to wait.

"He'll be on edge for the entire trip." Jason gave her an apologetic smile. "Nevertheless, I'll make sure that any extra protection doesn't pose an additional problem."

Annabeth smiled her thanks and patted Jason's arm before ducking into the tent Percy had disappeared into. At least if he was going to worry and complain, he had the decency to do so from the privacy of their tent.