Work Text:
Percy's POV:
The clang of swords rang through the air as the yells of defiance and valour were cried out to the skies.
Percy was yet to be defeated, his trusty sword, Riptide, slashing through the bodies of his victims.
"Percy!" a panicked voice rang out behind him. Percy spun around to see what the commotion was, and spotted a young knight, barely older than 12, swinging a sword at his head.
Percy simply ducked, letting the boy's weapon fall to the ground as it didn't reach its mark. The boy's eyes grew, and he stepped back, quivering.
Somewhere inside of Percy, a memory arose. He remembered when he was 12, worst of the knights of his age, struggling to keep up. He couldn't kill this boy.
He swung his sword, but this time, had twisted Riptide, so the handle was what struck the boy in the head. It knocked him unconscious.
Percy walked away from the boy, looking around, trying to figure out who had called his name.
Then he saw her.
Annabeth, the mightiest of warriors, stashing through the enemy's defence as though they were just paper. Her knife was in her left hand, battle sword in the other. Her blonde hair shined in the morning sunlight, her grey eyes sharper than any sword. To him, she was the most beautiful thing on the battlefield. He ran up to her, joining in the fun.
"How are you enjoying this morning fight?!" Annabeth yelled over the fighting.
Percy shrugged, stabbing Riptide at anyone who got close. "Satisfactory! Last week's battle was better though!"
Annabeth nodded. But Percy and Annabeth both knew that they had to fight this battle. Their enemy, Kingdom Jupiter, had started to enter the outskirts of the kingdom. Which could lead to a full-scale invasion.
Percy and Annabeth were getting desperate. The leader, Queen Hazel, had to be killed in order for this all to end, but it was proving very hard.
The kingdom's deadliest assassin, Reyna, was perhaps the most ferocious fighter both of them had ever seen in their lives. They couldn't even get near her.
So, when the battle was almost won, they had never expected Reyna to come to them.
Their kingdom, Olympus, had just reached the last line of attack. Percy and Annabeth were cutting through so easily.
Suddenly, Percy felt a quick, thin pain on his back. This turned into agony, like fire spreading through his veins. He fell to the floor, writhing and letting out faint groans.
Red dripped onto the floor, quickly forming a small puddle underneath him. He felt like death was coming to eat him.
Annabeth saw that Percy was no longer by her side, and immediately turned around, only to see him on the floor, face pale.
Annabeth's POV:
Annabeth whipped around as she heard Percy's groans of pain.
She panicked, and immediately ran over to where Percy had fell. The iron stench of blood waded towards her, but Annabeth didn't gag, this wasn't her first time dealing blood.
Annabeth felt around Percy's body, trying to find the source of the blood. She turned him over and saw a jagged cut that had been slashed down in a diagonal.
Annabeth felt herself become fueled with rage, she immediately knew who hurt Percy, only Queen Reyna's spear left a mark like this.
Her vision filling with red, Annabeth picked up Percy and raced him out of the battlefield. She ignored the shouts and screams of victory and defeat as allies and enemies alike were slain, falling to the Earth, never to rise again.
She ignored the burning pain in her legs as she felt herself grow tired, the adrenaline from worry for Percy giving her the energy to continue running.
She ignored the blow of the horn that signified the battle won, and she didn't pay attention to which kingdom had been won this round, though deep down she hoped that Olympus had won.
Instead, Annabeth ran.
She ran like her life depended on it, though Percy was in more danger than her.
She ran out of the battlefield, and into the forest that bordered Olympus. Percy was quite heavy from all the muscle from his training, but Annabeth pushed forward, determined to keep him alive.
Once she decided that they were far enough away from the fighting, Annabeth set Percy down. The ground was cold and the dirt was sticking to his stomach, but it would do. Annabeth made quick work of examining the wound on Percy's back, careful to not get any dirt inside of it.
She took out the first aid kit that she had strapped to her waist and rummaged through it, looking for antiseptic. She found a small bottle and poured it over Percy's back.
Percy flinched slightly at the pain, but was still unconscious.
Annabeth continued tending to the wound, using wipes and bandages to try and stop the bleeding, but the blood kept flowing.
She stayed like this for what felt like forever, but Percy didn't get any better.
Eventually, Annabeth decided to try her final hope. She didn't know if it would work, but she had to try.
She walked a few steps away from Percy and knelt down on her knees, "Oh great and mighty Apollo, hear my prayer and heal Percy. I beg of you to listen, for he is Olympus' greatest warrior and must survive for the sake of our kingdom."
Annabeth finished her prayer, and hoped desperately that it would work.
Olympus had always had a good reputation with the gods, especially Apollo. There was even a rumour that King Will was descended from Apollo, for he was originally Olympus' greatest healer until he caught the heart of King Nico.
Since King Will was crowned, the kingdom was known for their great healers and medical advancements, so the rumours weren't too far fetched.
Annabeth tore her thoughts from King Will and focused back on Percy. Nothing had happened yet, but she hoped that would change.
Annabeth waited for a few minutes, still trying—but failing—to stop the blood flow.
A golden glow filled the forest, and Annabeth shielded her eyes, confused.
To her great pleasure, when the glow faded, a small parcel was left behind.
Seeing this as the sign it was, Annabeth quickly grabbed the parcel and unwrapped it. She gasped as she saw what was inside.
Ambrosia.
Ambrosia was considered the food of the gods, and had great healing powers. Usually mortals couldn't consume it, but if this was a gift from Apollo like she suspected, then Annabeth was sure it would be fine.
Annabeth grabbed the Ambrosia out from the parcel and shoved it down Percy's throat, desperate for him to survive. This was her one last chance, if this didn't work Percy would-
No, Annabeth didn't want to think about that. Percy would be fine. She was sure of it.
Percy swallowed the last of the Ambrosia, and Annabeth stepped back, letting it do its job.
The results were instantaneous.
Immediately, Percy's wound started to stitch itself back together, and Annabeth watched in wonder as any remnants of the wound disappeared. It took a minute, but soon enough Percy's wound was completely healed, only the dried blood hinting that something was wrong.
Annabeth sent a quick thank you to Apollo before she sat on the ground.
Now she just had to wait for Percy to wake up.
Percy's POV:
Percy woke up to the feeling of bandages wrapped tight around his abdomen, securing what seemed to be a very painful wound. He tried to sit up but stopped himself with a groan.
Instead, he took this time to take in his surroundings. He was in the castle's infirmary wing, laying on a bed with white quilts, and was actually surprising comfy.
"Percy!" Annabeth shouted as she saw he was awake. She enveloped him in a tight hug, squeezing his wound.
"OUCH! OUCH! Not too tight!"
Annabeth sat back, muttering apologises. Then she punched in gently in the arm. "Seaweed Brain, you could have got yourself killed!"
Seaweed Brain was a teasing name she liked to call him ever since they went swimming, and Percy somehow got seaweed wrapped around his head like a beanie.
Percy shrugged. "I didn't notice her..."
Annabeth punched him again but didn't say anything.
"Hey! At least I'm still alive, right?" Percy joked. Annabeth grinned, something Percy loved to see. "Yes, I am glad for that."
Percy looked at Annabeth, eyes brimming with love. Annabeth looked at him in the same way. Annabeth rolled her eyes, and tucked Percy in.
"Rest, Seaweed Brain. I'll tell you about the battle tomorrow." Percy nodded, agreeing. He was already dozing off. Annabeth leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his forehead, then pulled out a seat next to him, promising herself that she'd look after him until he awoke.
Percy awoke sometime later, presumably the next day but he couldn't be sure. Annabeth was still sitting in the chair by his bed, looking beautiful even while asleep.
A knock on the infirmary door quickly woke Annabeth up and she shot up before walking towards the door and opening it.
On the other side was Percy's cousin, Nico, and his husband, Will. Also known as the Kings of Olympus.
"Your majesties." Annabeth said, bowing low.
Will chuckled, waving a hand at her. "Oh don't worry about formalities, we're pretty much all family here anyway."
Annabeth blushed at Will's implications, but did as he said and stood up from her bow, brushing her shorts.
Will and Nico approached Percy at his bed, who to Annabeth's surprise, was laying wide awake.
"How are you going Percy?" Nico asked kindly, taking a seat at the end of his bed.
"I'm doing better," Percy replied honestly, "I mean my back hurts a lot, but otherwise I'm good."
Nico rolled his eyes. "You almost died, I think you're a little worse than 'fine.'"
Percy smiled, the action slightly lopsided.
Will stepped forward, "By the way, you're on bed rest for the next week. You better not even think about going back on the battlefield. We may have won that round, but the war's not over yet and we want all our warriors in top shape!" Will's face softened. "You're also basically my cousin Percy, I just want you to be safe."
Percy grinned gratefully at Will. His protective antics were slightly annoying, but he knew that Will only wanted the best for him. It was also good to know that Percy's fellow comrades had successfully pushed the knights of Jupiter off their territory, even if he let them down at the end.
Will and Nico fretted over Percy for a little while longer before saying their farewells and leaving. They disappeared into the night.
Now it was just him and Annabeth alone in the room.
Annabeth walked over to Percy, "Hey Seaweed Brain." she said, using Percy's nickname.
"Hey Wise Girl." Percy replied, using Annabeth's nickname as well. This name came from when Annabeth had stayed up all night, just to study the behaviours of the nocturnal creature.
Annabeth's brave façade faltered, and Percy could see the worry beneath.
"I was really scared for you Percy. I thought you died."
"Don't worry about me, I survived. You know the people say I'm a legend, and legends never die." Percy joked, with a fake grin plastered on his face. Underneath he felt guilty for making Annabeth feel that way.
Annabeth snorted at the joke. "Sure Percy, whatever helps you sleep at night."
Percy smirked. "Come here."
Annabeth made a confused expression, but obliged.
When Annabeth arrived, Percy wrapped his arms around her and nestled his face in her chest.
"I was worried too." Percy said in a small voice.
"You're safe now, that's all that matters." Annabeth replied.
Percy smiled to himself. The past few days had been hard, but he was safe now, with Annabeth right by his side.
So long as they were together, Percy could face anything thrown his way.