Archive of Our Own ^beta

I felt the coolness between my shoulder blades, a persistent point making its way deeper and deeper into my skin. I could see Artemis, vaguely. More like a shadow shooting arrows than an actual person. She kept looking over, probably checking to see if I was still alive. Unfortunately, I was. 

I didn't feel alive. The point between my shoulders had long gone numb, and my vision had long gone spotted, tinted yellow around the edges. Miraculously a laugh bubbled out my mouth. I could taste the sweat on my lips. I didn't know what possessed me to do it, but I felt delirious. I’d read about this. Or heard about. (I don’t really read). Too much pain made people delirious. Why hadn’t I just passed out? Life would’ve been easier then. 

Ah but the fates needed some way to torture me. I guess this was it. 

Annabeth skidded into a stop before me, on her knees. Her face was smeared with blood and dirt. What happened to her? Was she okay? 

"Wh…" Why weren't words coming out? I needed to know if she was okay. But my brain felt sluggish. She cupped my face, making me make eye contact with her. My vision cleared, only for a second. Long enough to see the tears in her eyes. 

"Percy? Look, we're gonna try something. I need you to roll out of the way when something comes toward you okay?" She searched my face before leaving. Why was she going away? She was so nice. 

Almost right after that, when my knees had just started pressing deeper into the dirt, like they were trying to dig a hole or something. And my thighs had started shaking. Something was rolling toward me. I moved, sluggishly and almost getting smashed in the process, just as whatever I was holding had come crashing down on someone. 

All of a sudden my muscles came back to me, all of them screaming in pain. The thing was bellowing, the ground was shaking. There was someone kneeling overtop of me, blonde hair tickling my nose. 

Despite the bone deep pain I laughed, a hard cackle that had my chest wheezing and my ribs aching. I laughed and laughed until it was reduced to a pained hiccup. The blonde hair disappeared, and I heard some vague voices. 

"He's laughing!" One exclaimed. Were they talking about me? 

"It will wear off, he is in pain." Another answered. Huh. 

I hissed and closed my eyes, squeezing them before opening them back up and seeing the stars in the sky. I was parched, and in pain. 

"W-" my voice cracked painfully, making me wince. "Water?' The girl rushed back over a canteen in her hand. 

"Here, Percy. Nectar." I sipped, feeling a warmth in my bones. The aches went away. Annabeth took away the canteen. I winced and sat up, my ribs creaking. 

I turned to Annabeth, my lip wobbling. I wasn't about to cry was I? Crap. I reached out and tugged her close, she let out an 'oomph' and enclosed her arms around me. I could feel her breathing. Her heart was pounding, as was mine probably. 

I turned my head into her shoulder. "I was so scared" the words were barely a whisper. I didn't know why they didn't come out any louder, maybe I hoped she wouldn't hear them. 

Her grip tightened. "I was too, Percy, I was so scared" she whispered back. I squeezed her and turned slightly to see everyone avoiding looking at us. I was grateful for it. I turned back into her shoulder and sighed. 

Soon enough I'd have to let go. I'd have to talk with the rest of them, and I'd have to go back to camp and talk about it again. But for now? I'm content to stay right here.