Disclaimer: I still don't own anything. Except the major angst. Though, at the rate Uncle Rick is going, I won't even be able to claim that much as my own anymore.

Excuses for late update at end of chapter.

Dying Anyway: Remembrance

The funeral was a quiet affair. Just his parents, Paul, Annabeth, and a few choice close friends. His memorial service, however, was a completely different story. Practically everyone from the two camps was there- even many who had never met their hero and the anti-Greeks.

Somehow, someone had managed to get a hold on a bunch of pictures of Percy. No one said anything, but almost everyone suspected the Stolls. In any case, images from the life of The Hero of Olympus flashed across the night sky. Percy passed out in the infirmary, drool hanging from the corner of his mouth. Standing with Annabeth at the top of the Half-Blood Hill at the end of their first quest. With Grover and Tyson on either side, sitting under Thalia's Tree with the Golden Fleece shimmering above their heads. Percy and Annabeth about to be dumped in the lake. The fifth cohort making a toast with Kool-Aid. (AN. I am fully aware that these are not actual sentences. Deal with it. I have not slept in over 24hrs and cannot find the energy to fix them.)

It seemed as if there were a few from every year since he had learned he was a half-blood. Suddenly, there was a picture of what looked like a five year old Percy. He was standing on a stage, holding what looked to be an award. It had a border made out of what appeared to be golden stars. Bold letters spelled out: Perseus Jackson won 1st place in the City-Wide Manhattan Kindergarten Spelling Bee. (AN. I am not sure if that is an actual thing.) The miniature version of their savior stood proudly beaming at someone off stage.

Practically everyone was blinking away some random wetness on their eyes. Annabeth sat secluded in a corner, glancing at the sky, reminiscing about all the good times they had. She was reminded by a conversation the couple had had during their last year together:

Annabeth POV

"Annabeth," Percy had started. His tone implied the subject was a bit heavier than what I wanted for lunch. "You know I love you, right?" Oh no. This sounded like a breakup line. I tried not to let any of that show, and just nodded mutely.

He seemed a bit hesitant to broach whatever it was he wanted to speak to me about. His hands fiddled with each other, like he was trying to twiddle all his fingers together. "When I- when I die," he held up a hand, attempting to placate any protest I might have; which I did, but held my tongue so he could continue.

Swallowing, he continued, "When I die, I don't want you to be sad." Percy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The suspense was killing me. Was he breaking up with me or not?! "I want you to move on, don't mourn me. I would be more at ease if I knew that you were happy. Raising that family you always wanted."

Oh. My. Gods. See, this is why Percy is respected even by Artemis, the maiden goddess herself. Why are the fates so cruel as to cut a pure soul from a well-deserved long life? I still couldn't believe that he would wish me well even after his death. "Percy…"I trailed off, not sure how to express how I was feeling with words.

Sea green eyes studied me sympathetically, as if I were the one dying. "Wisegirl, you deserve the very best. I can only apologize so many times that I am unable provide that for you. But, you need to move on. Somewhere out there is some guy who sees you the same way I do: perfect in every aspect." Percy wrapped me up in his warm embrace, rubbing soothing circles on my back while I silently cried.

Now, seeing all these happy couples around me had me wishing Percy was with me still. But he was dead, and I was supposed to, how had he put it? 'move on.' A breeze wove through those at the memorial service. I shivered, my teeth nearly chattering. I had forgotten my jacket in my cabin.

A voice interrupted by thoughts. "Would you care to borrow my jacket?" I turned to find a young man with brown hair and green eyes holding out a black jacket. They weren't sea green like Percy's had been, but more of an olive green like you would find in Crayola boxes. Must be a one of Demeter's kids, I surmised. Startled, I nodded in gratitude and voiced my thanks with a mumble as I zipped the jacket up to block out the wind and overwhelming emotions.

After this, I haven't the slightest idea what happened. Somehow I managed to confess that I had been together with Percy before he died. The young man, who I now knew as συγκομιδή, or Harvey listened carefully and comforted me. Normally I wouldn't be so quick to trust, especially since I had never met this guy before.

The thing was, Harvey acted like he really cared. For months we would meet up in the fields and talked. I could tell he liked me from the way he would look at me when he thought I wasn't watching. The same way Percy used to look at me, I realized. It was then that I became conscious of Percy's prediction coming true.

Epilogue

When I was finally ready for a relationship, he was there to take me on my first date in months. We stayed together, raised twin girls and a boy, and died old together. In Elysium, I introduced Percy and Harvey to each other. They got along as if they were brothers.

Eons of millennium later, The Loyal One was still revered by all the gods and demigods as the best hero in the history of any type of human-kind. (Heracles/Hercules never stood a chance.)

Excuses: I broke my left wrist and thumb. Last year. I couldn't even write with a paper and pencil 'cause I am right handed. Obviously.

The Real Excuse: school with homework and projects

THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER!