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Percy's eyes glossed over, tears threatening to spill, memories he'd spent so long burying, rushing to the surface without warning. His hands shook as he tried desperately to calm himself down. But his emotions swirled: frustration, confusion, sadness, guilt and anger. Frustration at his father for letting his mother and him suffer at the hands of that god awful man. Confusion that Gabe had been able to get off so easy while he continued to struggle so long after he was gone. Sadness that his mother felt she had no choice but to stay with him. Guilt that she had done it just to keep him safe and suffered in turn. But mostly anger at himself for still being affected by it all these years later.
He'd fought in wars, done countless dangerous quests, and survived literal hell. He was better than this! He had to be. But he wasn't. And he hated himself for it. He couldn't even enjoy a party with some of his closest friends without freaking out. All it took was the smell of alcohol to send him spiraling back to a place he'd wish would stay in the past. After Smelly Gabe died he'd thought the power he held over him was gone. He'd had no idea he would still be able to control his life even years later.
Annabeth sat near him, no doubt having followed him after he abruptly ran out of the gathering. Instinctively, she reached out to hold him. He flinched on reflex though he didn't want to, his body sensing the presence and panicking. She moved her arms away instantly, assuring him that she was not going to hurt him. She kept her arms open so he knew he could come to her when he was ready.
She'd seen him flinch before, but her heart shattered just the way it had when she first saw it happen. She knew now what he had gone through before he made it to camp halfblood. She's spent the last several years helping him with the trauma of the abuse. He's improved as time went on and he became more open about it; but she can still remember the way her heart dropped when she'd accidentally raised her voice and waved her arms while upset. The look of utter terror on his face as he moved away from her, muttering apologies was something she'd probably never forget.
His tears started to fall as he managed to look up at her. After a few moments he threw himself into her arms.
"I'm sorry," he choked out. He never wanted to flinch away from her. It wasn't fair to her. He knew she would never hurt him. He hated how unsafe even the safest person in his life could feel because of the actions of one person.
"You don't need to apologize, babe," She assured him, her arms wrapped around his body, protectively. "You have nothing to be sorry for. And I know it's not me you're flinching from." She added softly, making sure he knew she wasn't upset at the way he sometimes responded to her touch. She knew he tore himself apart for that, scared she would think she was the reason for his fear. It was one of the things she most loved and hated about her boyfriend. He worried for others, especially her at all times. Always putting others first, but he didn't seem to know he was a person who needed to be cared for like everyone else. Even while he's reliving one of the worst things he went through, his biggest concern is her insecurities.
He sobbed into her arms, her comforting words allowing his emotions to overflow. She held his shaking frame, letting him get it out in a way he so rarely let himself do.
As his sobs died down he moved to look at her, his chest aching as he saw the dried tears on her cheeks. He didn't apologize again, remembering her earlier words. Though he probably would again later, it was still a step in the right direction.
"Thank you," He said instead, his voice raspy but there.
She smiled sadly and planted a kiss on his forehead, "Of course." He rested his head on her shoulder, his whole body ached, thoroughly exhausted from everything.
"I love you." He said even though he didn't think it was enough. He wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to put into words just how much she meant to him. But he would try; she needed to know how wonderful she was, how he never would have gotten to where he was without her. He'd always suspected she could read his mind at least a little bit. Admittedly that had freaked him out when he was younger, but now he hoped she could. That way she would know, even when he couldn't express it, how much he loved her.
"I love you too," she responded, kissing the top of his head. "You wanna lie down?" She asked softly, knowing that that took what was probably left of his energy for the day. He nodded and she maneuvered them over to his bed, helping him settle in. "You want me to lay with you?" She didn't want to leave, she wanted to stay and make sure he was safe and comfortable; but she would leave the choice up to him.
He gave her a tired smile, "Always."
She crawled in the bed; again wrapping her arms around him. She listened as his breathing slowed, happy to be able to hold him while he slept, relieved to see his body release the tension it'd been holding. She eventually fell asleep as well with the comfort of knowing he was safe and in her arms.