Chapter Text
After Athena was done berating me, Annabeth and I stood together at the outskirts of the crowd.
I had never seen anything like it; it was as if I’d gone back in time to Ancient Greece. Demigods and other unfamiliar human-like beings twirled in satin gowns and billowing robes. There were satyrs galloping around who had horns that were 10x bigger than Grover’s, curling around their temples. Nature spirits glided around them, tiny flowers sprouting through the cracks in the stone pavement wherever they stepped.
I looked at Annabeth, who was watching everything unfold before her. As part of Olympus’ celebrations, Aphrodite had declared our clothes were ‘unfit’ for the occasion, and ‘did us absolutely no favours’. So she had magicked away Annabeth’s tattered dress for a new, shimmery gold one that ballooned out at her waist like a princess. When the goddess of love had waved her elegant hand at me, I was scared I was about to be forced into a toga again. But she had shown me some grace, and I was in a comfortable sea-blue suit.
Annabeth was deep in thought; I could tell by the slight glaze over her eyes. They had the same intensity as Athena’s, and I was reminded of what the goddess had said to me in private:
I do not approve of your friendship with my daughter.
A horrible weight had sat in my stomach since the encounter. I knew if I did anything Athena didn’t like, I was toast - Great Prophecy be damned. But all I could think about was how the entire time Annabeth had been gone, it was like half of me had gone with her. Only now did I really feel whole.
That scared me almost as much as Athena’s words.
Something caught Annabeth’s attention - two nymphs, who were in hysterics as they skipped around in a circle. The way they looked at each other… it was like they were in their own little world. I noticed Annabeth’s lips turn up, something wistful filling her gaze as the couple danced.
Fortunately for me, there was a Percy and Annabeth sized break in the crowd next to them. Just as she had for me at Westover Hall, I slipped my hand in hers, pulling her towards the crowd without letting myself look back. After narrowly avoiding a minor godling who had clearly had a few glasses of Olympian wine too many, I took Annabeth’s hands and lifted them so they sat on my shoulders, then placed mine gently on her waist.
“What are you doing?” She said, her brows scrunched together in the cute way they did when she was confused.
“I was thinking, uh, we got interrupted at Westover Hall. And… I think I still owe you a dance.”
Annabeth’s face lit up, and something inside me melted.
“Okay, Seaweed Brain.”
The music had softened, although I’d heard someone in the crowd say it was magic - each person heard whatever they wanted. For me it faded into violins and cellos, swooping and rising and falling in long, slow notes. I swayed along to it with Annabeth, wondering if she heard the same thing.
We stayed quiet, though it wasn’t awkward. At first I didn’t look at her, scared that if I did she would know exactly what was going on in my head. That didn’t last for long. I’d gone so long without seeing her, I couldn’t resist. A mixture of the warm light from Olympus and the cool shadows of the early night made her resemble the paintings I’d seen in the old galleries in New York with my mom.
“Percy?” Annabeth whispered, her eyes flitting between mine.
“Yeah?”
“Do you actually know how to dance? Because so far we’ve just… stood here.”
She looked around at the dancers near us. Who knew divine beings had moves?
“Is now a bad time to say ‘boon’?”
Annabeth rolled her eyes, snatching my hand. She flung it upwards and twirled underneath my arm. Her newly-braided hair fanned out with the movement; her gold dress shimmered like stardust. As she returned to face me she laughed, and took my hands to swing me around in a circle with her. I stumbled over my feet like a baby deer, almost bringing her down with me.
“I did say ‘boon’ for a reason!” I stumbled straight into her, my heart skipping a beat when her hands landed on my chest to steady me.
“I’d have thought a son of the sea god would be a little more graceful.”
After I regained my balance, Annabeth slid her fingers up to my shoulders. She was so close to me that I had a clearer view of the new grey streaks in her hair, starting at her scalp and fading into her braids. I hated how she’d gotten them, but I also thought she looked prettier than ever. Maybe it was my ADHD or the fact I knew her mother was elsewhere - therefore unable to smite me - but I reached for the strands and tucked them behind her ear.
“Sorry.” I blurted, realising what I’d done. She studied me for a moment, her eyes landing above my eyebrows.
“You have them too, you know.” She twirled a piece of my hair to the left side of my forehead. I hadn’t exactly had access to a mirror in the last few hours, so had no idea, but it made sense. We’d both held up the sky.
“I guess we’re matching.” I said softly, leaning ever so slightly into her touch. But to my disappointment she lowered her hand back to my shoulder.
“Did you… ever think I was dead?” She inched further into my space. I wondered if she was actually asking what I thought, or if she had been so scared that she might die that she was in disbelief at still being here.
“Never.” And it was the truth, “I know you. You’d never let that happen.”
Her eyes glossed over a little, and before I could react she tightened her grip around my shoulders and pressed her face into my chest.
“Thanks for saving me.” It came out a little muffled.
We’d hugged before, tons of times, but this was different. Her arms trembled from how hard she was holding me. I wrapped my arms around her, clinging on as if she was about to be taken away from me again. I rested my chin on the top of her head; she fit into the space so perfectly that my chest began to ache.
When Annabeth didn’t become a hunter, I wanted to tell her how things between us had changed for me. Mom always teased me about Annabeth, saying I acted like she hung the moon. And honestly, the entire time I’d known her, that’s how it felt - I just didn’t know what it meant until she wasn’t with me.
But Athena had threatened me. She’d be watching me forever - and what if she took Annabeth away? What if she hurt her to get back at me? Even with Annabeth being here, wholly mortal, in front of me, I could never admit how I felt to her if it might endanger her again. Having her as my friend was better than having none of her at all.
Annabeth pulled away, pausing when our faces were so close that I could have counted her eyelashes if I wanted to. My breath caught in my throat. Maybe I could say screw Athena and try and live through the consequences. But something I didn’t factor in was that Annabeth could make me nervous too.
“They suit you, by the way. The grey streaks." She stepped back, putting distance between us before I could have even thought about saying something stupid.
We danced a little longer, talking about nothing in particular. Honestly, I think that’s what she wanted. And it was a great distraction for me. Pretending we were just two normal kids at a party was a lot more fun than reminiscing on the potential start of the end of the world.
Annabeth let out one yawn, then over the next few minutes, it became two, three, four. The fifth one had me yawning too.
“Alright, Wise Girl. You’re making me tired. Maybe we should head back to camp soon.” I tore my eyes away from her, searching the courtyard we were in. Someone was skulking around in a corner, watching us - Thalia. She looked exactly the same as she had on our quest, except for her silver circlet and the slight glow of immortality that could only be seen if someone knew to look for it. She gave me a swift nod of acknowledgement. “Hey, I just want to send some Iris messages to my mom and Tyson, let them know I’m alive and all - then we can go? Thalia is over there.”
Annabeth followed my line of sight. It hit me that this might be the last time they see each other for a long time. The last time any of us would see her for a long time. Her slight hesitation told me she was having the exact same thought.
“Of course, make your calls. I’ll meet you at the elevator in about 30 minutes?” Annabeth’s eyes searched mine for something, and I realised it was comfort.
“You’ll be okay, Annabeth. And you’ll always have me. And Grover.” I took her hand in mine, “I promise.”
“I really needed this.” Annabeth’s fingertips dragged over my palm as she let go, making me shiver. “Thank you.”
And with that, she headed towards Thalia.
*
Calling Tyson and my mom had me feeling so much lighter after my afternoon of godly threats. It’s so easy to get lost in quests and chaos, so it was nice being reminded I had an amazing family that loved me. Not everyone got to have that.
As I made my way to the elevator, a familiar clip clop of hooves fell into a rhythm beside me.
“Hey G-Man.” I didn’t even need to look to know who it was, “I’ve hardly seen you tonight.”
“Sorry, Percy. My second cousin lives up here - I never get to see him!” He slung his arm over my shoulder, “Although, satyr parties on Olympus are next level, even I can’t keep up.”
I’d never thought of Grover as a party animal. I guess you really do learn something new everyday.
“Annabeth and I are heading back to camp, if you want to join?”
He gave me a look - one I’d seen once before in the Junkyard of the Gods, after I’d seen Aphrodite.
“Are you sure?” There was another question in there, I just didn’t know what it was, and unfortunately I still didn’t quite understand our empathy link enough to know exactly what he was feeling.
“Yeah, dude. Let’s head home.” I wrapped my arm around his waist, deciding to forget whatever he wasn’t saying to me. “Now tell me about your satyr party!”
As Grover described his antics of the evening, we turned a corner that lead to the elevator exit. Just outside there were two girls talking in hushed voices - Thalia and Annabeth. To my dismay, Annabeth’s eyes looked red and puffy.
The sound of our steps caught Thalia’s attention.
“You off?” She said it so casually, as if we weren’t about to head off on two completely different paths - both physical and destined.
“Yeah. I think Annabeth deserves some rest.”
At that, Thalia’s nonchalance faltered, and she took Annabeth’s free hand.
“Hey. You’re a hero. I’m so proud of you.” She said it so fiercely, that it must have been impossible for Annabeth not to believe it. “Seeing you this way… grown up. Powerful. The smartest person on this entire planet. It’s been the greatest gift of my life to call you my family.”
“Thalia…” Annabeth’s voice wobbled. She threw her arms around Thalia, using every ounce of her remaining strength to hold on as tightly as she could. I watched as Thalia wrapped her arms around her, eyes squeezed shut and inhaling deeply.
As Thalia moved away, Annabeth continued to cling to her. She let out such a pained sob that it made my eyes sting.
“Don’t cry, Sweet Girl.” Thalia brushed her thumb across Annabeth’s damp cheek, a sad smile tugging at her lips. “I promise I’ll see you soon.”
Annabeth nodded, finally loosening her grip.
Thalia then focused on me. All the rage that used to be aimed at me was gone, replaced with something much calmer. I was in the eye of her storm at last.
“Percy,” she started, pausing before pulling me down into a ferocious hug. It was the last thing I expected, but I gladly returned it.
“Good luck. Not that you need it.” I pat her back.
“Certainly not.” She said, then in a hushed voice that only I could hear: “Take care of her. And if you break her heart I’ll squish you like a bug.”
Immediately my face felt hot. She stepped back, slapping my shoulder with a devious smirk and a wink.
After saying her goodbyes to Grover, she edged towards the walkway that lead back to the Olympian throne room.
“Run along now. I’ve got things to hunt for all eternity!” To some that might sound daunting, but Thalia sounded genuinely thrilled about the prospect.
“I love you, Thalia.” Annabeth whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I love you too.” She remained strong, apart from a twitch in her jaw. “See you all soon.”
And with that she took off, her beat up leather jacket spilling out behind her, not looking back at us once.
Annabeth let out another heartbreaking cry, then collapsed into my shoulder. She heaved and heaved, clinging to the lapel of my blazer like a vice.
“Hey,” I was conscious of Grover watching, so settled with gently rubbing her back, “We’ve got you.”
I looked at my satyr friend, whose big brown Bambi eyes were overflowing. He slipped a hand around Annabeth’s elbow, tracing gentle circles with his thumb.
She lifted her head from me with a sniffle.
“Let’s go home.” Was all she could manage, avoiding our eyes. With the two of us still holding her, we headed into the elevator.