Work Text:
Annabeth lies in her bunk, staring up at the ceiling above her and trying to get her breathing under control, even as she feels her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest. She knows her screaming has woken up her siblings, she can hear the rustling of their sheets and their huffed breaths as they resettle themselves over the sound of rushing blood in her ears.
It was just a dream, she tells herself, repeats it like a mantra until her heart rate begins to slow. The thing is, it had felt so real, like she was reliving a memory or getting a glimpse of the future. Demigod dreams always felt like that, felt tangible, whether they were visions or not. Annabeth sits up as the sweat begins to cool on her skin and reaches for the end of her bed, groping around amongst the blankets she’d disturbed until she uncovers Percy’s hoodie. She pulls it over her head and curls back up on her side, letting the sleeves cover her hands and pressing them to her face so she can breath in the familiar scent of her girlfriend. In the dark, enveloped in Percy’s scent, Annabeth can almost pretend that Percy is here with her instead of across the camp in her own cabin.
She doesn’t manage to fall back to sleep before the sun is rising, lighting up Cabin Six in golden tones, but she feels relaxed as her mind wanders. Annabeth makes the decision to get up when a few of her siblings start to stir, pulling on a pair of sweatpants to ward off the chill in the air as the sun begins to warm the valley. It’s a calculated choice, because if Percy had made it through the night without a nightmare then there’s no way she’s out of bed yet, the other girl rarely managing to wake up before noon on her own. But if she’d had a similar night to Annabeth, then she knows where her girlfriend will be.
Annabeth approaches the beach slowly and even without conscious input her eyes sweep the sand for Percy’s form. She finds her sitting in the sand down the far end of the beach, tucked out of the way of the heavily trafficked stretches of sand despite the early hour. Percy has her knees drawn to her chest and is staring out at the ocean with near unwavering focus. With anyone else you could assume they would be unaware of her approach, but after everything that they’ve been through Annabeth knows Percy is well aware of everything happening around her. Annabeth still takes care to approach from the waters edge, making sure Percy can see her coming.
Percy drops her knees once Annabeth gets close enough, reaching up towards the blonde with eager hands, a near pout on her face until Annabeth gets close enough to do something about it. It’s no secret her girlfriend is tactile; clingy is how Annabeth often describes her, mostly to see the pout that comes out whenever she uses the term. Constantly holding Annabeth’s hand, playing with her hair, tucking herself into her girlfriend’s side, constantly reminding Annabeth of a duckling. Annabeth takes the offered hand and lets herself be pulled down onto the sand, settling in the v of Percy’s legs and letting herself be pulled back into Percy’s chest by the firm arms that wrap around her shoulders. Annabeth feels Percy press a kiss to the top of her head before hooking her chin over Annabeth’s shoulder, resuming her ocean vigil.
“I dreamt about you last night,” Annabeth says eventually, eyes focused on some far off spot on the horizon.
“Sounds hot.”
“In your dreams, Seaweed Brain.”
“More like in yours from the sound of it.” Percy turns her head, the end of her nose brushing Annabeth’s cheek as she stares intently at her girlfriend, a weight building behind the pause. “What happened?” The playful, flirty tone her voice had just held is lost beneath concern, the words as soft spoken as Percy is able to get.
“You were dying,” Annabeth forces the words out, eyes flicking over to meet Percy’s. She can feel the panic building in her chest again and forces herself to keep her breathing even. She knows her girlfriend can read the panic on her face, no matter how much she struggles to contain it, that Percy can feel her heartbeat picking up from the points where their bodies are connected. Percy doesn’t speak though, just lets Annabeth take the time she needs and presses her open palm more firmly against Annabeth’s shoulder, a silent reminder that she’s still here. “You were drowning in Cocytus and I couldn’t snap you out of it and you were sinking; I just kept trying to pull you to the surface, but you were pulling me down with you and I had to let you go. It just felt so real, I woke up and I couldn’t breathe. I felt like we were back there.”
“Hey,” Percy’s voice reminds Annabeth of all the times she’s listened to the other girl direct their troops in battle, steady and serious, “We made it out, we did it. I’m right here, and as long as you want me by your side that’s where I’ll be.”
“I don’t want you to be anywhere else ever again,” Annabeth tips her head back against Percy’s shoulder, bringing them face to face.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Percy presses a kiss to her forehead, then her lips, “Besides, you know I’m too good of a swimmer to drown.”
Annabeth fights to hide the way her mouth curls up into a smile at Percy’s stupid joke, covering it with a frown and hitting Percy’s arm with the back of her hand. “You’re an idiot, Seaweed Brain.”
“You’re the one who’s into that,” Percy laughs, reaching down to uncover one of Annabeth’s hands where the sleeves of her hoodie is covering it so she can lace their fingers together. “I was looking for this, by the way. It’s my favourite” She uses her other hand to pluck at the fabric of the hoodie, a familiar shade of blue.
“I think you mean my favourite,” Annabeth says, sitting and then standing, using their joint hands to pull Percy up with her. “C’mon, they’ll be serving breakfast now and I’m starving.”
Annabeth lets Percy tuck her into her side as they walk back up the beach, complaining out of habit as she gets Percy’s hair in her mouth as the dark hair escapes from its sleep mussed braid. The other campers are slowly beginning to make their way out of their cabins to get a start to their day, the camp slowly returning to some semblance of normalcy after Gaea’s defeat. They get a few friendly nods and greetings as they make their way over to the dining pavilion, each grabbing a plate as they start serving themselves, Percy’s plate a familiar rainbow of blue. Annabeth can’t help but feel grateful for the familiarity amongst the chaos that makes up their lives.