Because I Care

A Place Made for Monsters

the last rewrite for this story! maybe not, idk... more explanation in the second author's note

One week after they had fallen into the pits of Hell together, Percy scrambled over things he didn't want to think about - rocks, metal, bones, bodies... he just didn't want to know. In the dark, he wasn't certain of anything except for Annabeth's fingers gripping his.

"Percy?" Her voice was so quiet, he barely heard over his thoughts.

"I'm here," he whispered. He gave her hand a squeeze. Their linked fingers seemed like the only thing keeping them together. Percy shivered as a breeze swept through his ripped camp shirt. He didn't even know that there could be wind in the deepest part of the world.

"Percy," Annabeth breathed again, and this time he pulled them to a stop.

"Does your leg hurt again?" he asked her, pulling her closer as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Do you need me to-"

"No," she muttered, "It's fine, I just..."

Percy could only see the whites of her eyes. He wished they were back at Camp, and that some other kids could be wading through death like they were.

As gently as he could, he offered, "We should rest a little, Beth-"

"No!" she cried out, and pushed him away. He panicked, reaching out and barely grabbing onto her arm. He couldn't loose her.

"Shh!" Terror made Percy's heart beat faster and faster. They stood there silently, waiting for another monster to attack. Assuming they were safe for now, he pulled her towards him again. "We have time," he muttered, and tried to find her face. He carefully sought out her features - curved hips, soft arms, cold neck, firey cheeks. He gripped them with both hands, feeling her fingers clutch the front of his shirt.

"Percy-"

"Shh," he said, and brought their lips together. Percy tried to ignore how cracked hers were. "I'm so sorry, Annabeth."

He could feel her nod slowly, her skin burning his as she quivered with pain and fear.

"Are you okay?"

"No." Her voice trembled.

"How's your leg?"

"I need to get out..."

"Annabeth-"

"Percy, I need to get out!"

"Shh, Beth, they'll hear you!"

"NOW, Percy! Oh my gods..."

Annabeth collapsed onto Percy's chest, sending them spralling onto floor. Jagged rocks cut into his back, sending sparp trails of pain up his spine, but he didn't care. He clung onto her shoulders as she wept.

"We're going to get out," he said into her neck, unable to stop himself from gritting his teeth. Anger coursed through his veins. "I promise, Annabeth, I'll get you out of here."

She didn't even respond. All she did was cling to his shirt, now soaked with their tears and his own blood.

"What if we don't?" Her lips quivered against his collarbone.

Percy stroked her hair, unable to resist the temptation to press his mouth against her temple. He didn't know what to say. There wasn't anything to say.

Annabeth pulled away, just enough for him to faintly see the outline of her cheeks, her jaw, her dirt streaked princess curls that he had fallen in love with.

"Percy?" Their names were like flaming matches in the dark.

"Annabeth."

One last kiss, and they were up again, holding each others' shoulders as they stumbled through a place made for monsters.

well that was a happy chapter.

"I hate to see your heart break.
I hate to see your eyes get darker as they close
But I've been there before."
-Hate To See Your Heart Break, Paramore.