Ephemerality

Summary: "She taught me love, but you taught me happiness." A series of interconnected scenes depicting the simple and profound moments and memories of a most unlikely relationship.

A/N: I'm still working on my other fics (I swear), but this has been something that I've wanted to write for almost four years now. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Don't own Percy Jackson.

oOo

1

Emerald Convalescence

"I suppose there's some sort of twisted irony to it all isn't there, Thals?" Percy said, staring at the flickering flames licking up from the beautiful shroud. It still didn't feel real. Four months, two weeks, and six days of frantic searching, of yelling at Zeus, consequences be damned. All of that had turned up … nothing.

Thalia didn't respond - only reaching out and grabbing his hand, drawing herself closer. He wrapped an arm around her, and they clung to each other, desperate for human touch, for the reassurance of a friend.

"I can't believe, after everything that she - that we went through … two whole fucking wars - holding up the sky, navigating the Labyrinth, finding the Athena Parthenos, surviving Tartarus - but one stupid fuck up by the oh so almighty King of the Gods…" Percy breaks down.

She squeezes his hand even tighter. It's difficult to hate your own father, but she's never felt this… uncharitable towards him. Watching Zeus deal with Athena… well, there was a none too small part of Thalia that wouldn't have minded the goddess actually following through on some threats she'd screamed. Thalia didn't envy future children of Zeus at all.

"I loved her too, you know. Maybe not the way you did, but I can still remember that little girl with a dirty face trying to defend herself with a kitchen knife. It was so … so adorably cute a-and…" she shakes her head, willing herself to be strong, if only for Percy.

"I'm the only one left." She whispers, conscious now more than ever of her decision to join the Hunt. Of her immortality, of the world that she left behind, and of the people still in the land of the living, who would one day be taken away from her as well.

"At least they'll have each other in Elysium, right?"

She cracks a half-smile.

"Family, Luke. You promised." She quotes, remembering a darker time, a time when the future of Western Civilization had nearly, oh so nearly, been destroyed.

He can't help the tears that really begin pouring now, dripping down his face and falling onto the ground. He could feel the gaze of the some of the other campers on his back, and angrily swipes at his tears, but it's like a dam has broken because he simply cannot stop. So, he turns away, slipping his body away from Thalia's half-embrace to turn away from the fire, because he's Percy Jackson, because he's supposed to be a leader, the face of Camp Half-Blood, the hero who singlehandedly changed the course of history, twice, in the span of a decade. He's not allowed to cry.

Thalia quietly allows him his space, but refuses to let go of his hand. She just gives it another tight squeeze, and that's all he really needs - just another human being; someone else to talk to. She lets him cry, and unashamedly lets her own tears fall.

But they're both done crying soon enough, because they're tough and they've seen too many friends die. That doesn't mean the pain will go away, but they can control themselves. They're good at that.

There's a certain peace now, and Percy's shoulders slowly stop shaking. He shuffles back next to her, once again staring into the fire. "Say, Thals, do you ever – "

"Lieutenant," a quiet, authoritative voice says from behind them.

The two of them whirl around, Thalia dropping Percy's hand as if it had burnt her. But what confronts them is only a fourteen-year-old maiden dressed in the traditional dark Greek mourning robes, raising the slightest eyebrow at their reaction.

"Lady Artemis! This … this isn't what it looks like, I'm just - I just can't believe she's g-gone, and well, we were just talking, and it's nice to, you know …"

"Do not trouble yourself, Thalia," she said quietly. "I understand how you feel too."

Thalia immediately nods her head in understanding.

"And Perseus-" the goddess directs her gaze to the mortal, pausing as if searching for the correct words. "I am sorry for your loss. Annabeth was one of the bravest maidens I have ever known, willingly taking the sky for someone who had betrayed her. It may not mean much to you, but I firmly believe that the reason she never joined the Hunt is because of you."

Percy nods and attempts a smile, although he can't quite manage it. Artemis regards him for a long moment, before turning towards her lieutenant.

"We'll be staying here for the night."

Thalia nods and wipes away some of the tears still trickling down her cheeks.

"I … I'll see you later Percy." She says, voice wavering.

"See you, Thals." Percy responds quietly.

The two huntresses begin to walk away, and Percy turns back to the flames again.

"Oomph, Thalia, what the..?" Percy asks, squeezed in a too tight hug.

"Don't you dare die on me, Seaweed Brain, you got that? You're my only best friend left in the world now." she says once she'd let go, staring fiercely at him with unshed tears shimmering in her electric blue eyes.

"I ... I won't." he swears, awkwardly hugging her back.

She releases him, and leaves without another word.

By now, most of the other campers have already paid their respects to Annabeth and left, although her siblings are still huddled together by the sparks and ashes.

He thinks of going over, of saying something. 'Your sister was the absolute best thing to ever happen to me.' Or 'Your sister will be happy in Elysium.'

Yeah right, like that would do anything except make things more miserable for everyone, himself included.

He reaches into his pocket, first brushing over the beads of a necklace that is now his, before lightly ghosting his fingers over the bill of a cap, slowly tracing the stitched Y.

Even the last of the sparks are fading away now. He turns his gaze upward, to the sky filled with glittering stars and constellations.

"You were my everything, Wise Girl. E-enjoy Elysium, and don't wait around for me if you're trying for rebirth. Just… be happy wherever you go. I'll always miss you."

Turning away from the remnants of the shroud, he makes his way back to his cabin. Stepping inside and closing the door, he makes his way over to his bed in the the soft luminescence of the too happily gurgling fountain.

Tumbling down onto his bed, exhausted, he closes his eyes.

Phobetor takes him immediately.

oOo

"You drool in your sleep." She says, giggling as she leans out of his reach in the Big House.

"And you moan my name when you're asleep." Percy shot back, grinning at her as her eyes widened, scandalized.

"I do NOT!"

"What kind of dreams are you having hmmm Wise Girl?"

"PERSEUS JACKSON, I DO NOT MOAN YOUR NAME IN MY SLEEP." She steamed, smacking his shoulder, at which he immediately recoiled.

"Hey! Injured cripple here," he replies, gesturing towards his partially healed leg after a particularly unfortunate incident on the lava wall.

"Just because you have kelp for brains and couldn't dodge out of the way of some lava flow does NOT mean you get a free pass for telling lies."

Laughing, he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her closer until she was practically on top of him. She fought him for a brief period, before melting into his arms. He leaned forward to press his lips to hers and….

Pain.

His shoulder that had impacted against the hard wooden floor of the cabin was probably going to be a bitch for the next couple days. Still, as he took in his surroundings and, more importantly, remembered that Annabeth was gone, the pain in his shoulder couldn't hold a candle to the pain that threatened to tear his chest open.

Stumbling over to his desk, he grasped the picture that a friendly tourist had taken for them last summer, when they'd visited Yellowstone National Park.

Gripping it so tightly that he was afraid he was going to break it, he sat back down onto his bed.

"I don't understand Wise Girl. I just don't. I was supposed to be luckier than this, being named after Perseus and everything. And I was. The luckiest demigod to have ever lived, because I got to meet you when I first entered this strange, terrible, and yet beautiful world. And, for those glorious years we made many happy memories. Do you remember riding in the back of that animal truck on the way to California? Or that first kiss at Mt. St. Helens?"

He gave a watery chuckle. "That probably was the shittiest first kiss ever, especially considering where I ended up after that fiasco. I never apologized for my stay on Ogygia either."

Sobering back up, "I miss you Wise Girl. I miss you with every fiber of my being. And sometimes it's hard to remember that there are others who would miss me if I were to just… go. I just want to see you again, to hold your hand, and kiss you, and just plan our future together."

Swiping at his eyes, he replaced the picture on his desk, changed into a Camp Half-Blood shirt and some jeans, grabbed the Yankees hat, and stepped outside. After checking to see that no harpies saw him emerge, he placed the hat on his head and headed down towards the beach, carefully making sure he left no noticeable footsteps behind him. The ocean had always been his solace, his place to escape. Even after Tartarus, haunted and tortured by memories and nightmares, he'd managed to sleep peacefully in the ocean's embrace.

He padded down towards the shoreline. Taking a seat, he stared out across the harbor, and wondered. He wondered about his future. He'd always had those grand plans. He'd finally settle down with Annabeth, they'd have children, a family, and maybe a normal life. The end of the second Giant War had almost made that dream a reality. A drunken Zeus with a lightning bolt had vaporized it. He clenched his fist, having still yet to speak to the King of the Gods. Although, to be fair, no one had seen him since the incident with Athena. No one was sure what had happened, but it obviously hadn't been pretty.

Still, it wasn't worth getting angry at all over again. His thoughts turned melancholy again, remembering the times that they'd spent on the beach.

Musical laughter sounded as a fistful of wet sand was stuffed down the back of his shirt. "Arggghhhh, I just changed into this shirt as well, Wise Girl."

Chasing after her, he tried to dive at her ankles to tackle her, but she evaded him nimbly, running away as he faceplanted into the sand.

"Gonna have to do better than that, Seaweed Brain." She retorted, grinning smugly at him.

Growling, he willed the waves to rise. The water immediately responded to his command, and he effortlessly sent a six-foot wave speeding towards Annabeth, completely drenching her and knocking her off her feet so that she was scrabbling to prevent herself from being pulled back into the water. She was dripping wet, with a murderous look on her face.

He never thought he'd seen anything quite so beautiful.

Before she could retaliate, he pounced on her, pinning her arms underneath his and forcing her into submission.

She struggled for a little bit, but realizing the futility of it all stopped trying to push him off and just smirked teasingly at him.

"It's okay, Percy, I like it rough just fine."

He spluttered and immediately rolled off of his girlfriend. He hadn't really known about this side of Annabeth until after the Giant War, (although he really should have suspected it with the way that her hand occasionally sneaked under his shirt while sharing a room on the Argo II,) but boy could she be titillating at times.

Chuckling, she rolled over into his arms and said, "Dry me off, babe."

Desperately trying to calm his blushing, he willed the water to evaporate from her clothing, and her clothes dried within moments.

"Thanks Seaweed Brain." She said cheerfully, leaning down to give him a quick peck on the lips.

"Gah!" He gasped as he suddenly sat up, looking around frantically.

Had he fallen asleep? Apparently so.

The small waves slowly crashing into the shoreline calmed him, and he stared out at the sea, his thoughts all jumbled and..

Wait, was the moon growing bigger or was he still somehow dreaming?

Then his eyes widened as he realized what was happening. He jumped up as the deer landed, and bowed.

"Lady Artemis. Uhm, not to be rude, but what are you doing here?"

"Well, I was going to wait until morning, but since I saw you, I might as well tell you that Athena told me to pass along a message to you."

Suitably intrigued, for he had never really gotten along with the Wisdom Goddess, he asked, "What does she want to say to me?"

"She said, and I quote, 'Ask him about his true feelings towards Annabeth, and whether or not the two of them were truly going to be forever, or if she was just a temporary distraction for him.'" Artemis recited.

White hot anger erupted in Percy's chest, causing a sudden, minor, shudder in the Earth.

Artemis's eyes widened slightly, "Perseus—"

"You have got to be fucking kidding me. Is that all she's concerned about? I loved her, and she knows this. She knew it ever since the Second Titan War ended; why the fuck would she even ask that question?" he spat.

"Perseus pl—"

"Is this what you think too? Huh? Think that I'm just another 'boy' who's sole purpose in the world is to break girls' hearts?"

Artemis's eyes glittered harshly. "Watch yourself, Perseus. I insinuated nothing of the kind. Do you think I haven't watched you for some time now? You, who managed to convince Zoe, of all people, that not every man was terrible. That not every man deserved to be turned into a jackalope. I know you to be a good person. A little hot-headed at times, but unfailingly kind, loyal, and caring towards those you care about. Don't make me change my mind."

He took a step back at her response, bubbling anger cooling.

"Huh? You've seen all of that?" He asked, shocked that Artemis of all people would have paid that much attention to him.

"Yes, I have. Sometimes, you give me hope that perhaps all men are not as bad as those that I've seen. Whenever I miss my former lieutenant, I'll look up at the stars, and I'll remember what she said. Remember how she accepted you. Remember how she gave you that weapon that you now wield."

"Sorry about earlier," he muttered, now. "It's just so.. so fucking shitty. I… We- We've been through so much, and sh-she… I just—I miss her so gods damned much sometimes."

Her eyes softened a little, and she nodded. Surprising even herself, she reached out and patted his shoulder awkwardly. Comforting people, however, was never her strong suit.

"I shall tell my sister that you would have given your relationship everything then. For now, though, I must return to my duties. Good luck, Perseus, and take care of yourself."

Stepping back into her moon chariot, she took off back into the air.

"Thank you, milady." He whispered, watching the silvery blur return to the sky.

He never really considered just how much she knew about him. Not for a long while.

oOo

They never worked out, he thought sadly, as he left the restaurant, having broken things off with yet another girl. Six months of trying to find someone new, of trying to move on, of searching for happiness, but to no avail. They were nice, the girlfriends. Jane, Anna, Emily, and Jasmine. They were definitely interested in him, but they were only distractions. They took the edge off the pain, but they couldn't do much more than plug the gaping hole in his chest for a short period of time.

Outside, the first snowfall was slowly drifting down on New York City, fat flakes landing everywhere. Christmas lights were up in full force as well, lighting up the city, a breathtaking swirl of red and green that he couldn't help but take a moment to appreciate. Pulling up his hood, he started the short trek to his apartment.

He lived in the city now. Going back to Camp Half-Blood would bring up memories, and that was the last thing he needed. Six months had done wonders for him, changing him from a barely functional wreck into someone who was now working as an assistant manager at _ Aquarium.

Surrounded by sea creatures, Percy felt right at home, almost as if he was living in the ocean. The hours were fair, and the job paid well enough to cover whatever minor expenses he'd had, and he'd felt… better.

He neared an intersection, stopping behind a young couple who were taking a picture while waiting the light turned green. As he surreptitiously watched them, he couldn't help but think back to the times when he and Annabeth would've looked just like—

No. bad thoughts. He'd been through all of that; there was no sense in going back now.

The light changed. Head down, hands stuffed into his sweater, he headed home towards his apartment building. It wasn't anything impressive, but it was his own place, and he was always a little proud of the place. As he neared his apartment building, a ghost of a smile played across his lips at his window, which was easiest the most beautiful window, brightened by the silvery glow of moonlace.

He still hadn't had the chance to thank Calypso for the plant she'd gifted him, all those years ago.

'Eh. Not exactly a garden, but it's better than most of Manhattan.

He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice the lady with her arms crossed, standing in front of his apartment building until she literally stepped in his way.

"Uh, excuse me miss." He said, trying to go around her, but she wouldn't budge."

"Oh for Hades's sake what's the matter with you?" he asked, annoyance creeping into

his voice, as he looked up at her.

When he saw who it was, he took an immediate step back.

"L-L-Lady Artemis? Why are you standing outside of my apartment?"

"I can see why they call you Seaweed Brain." She said, coldly. "Why would anyone stand outside anyone's dwelling, if not to call upon them?"

"Oh, uhm- did you want to, uhm, come upstairs?" he asked hesitantly, unsure as to her new behavior towards him. He still remembered that strange night six months ago, of how she told him how much she watched him.

Of how much she watched him… Oh shit.

"L-Lady Artemis, I'm sorry I didn't mean—"

"Twelve." she interrupted, her silver eyes boring into his.

"W-What?" he asked.

"The number of times that Miss Jasmine cried herself to sleep after you broke things off with her."

"Oh…" he said, looking down at his feet, not even daring to look up at the goddess.

"I thought you were better than this." She said quietly, and the disappointment in her voice cut him deeper than anything had since Annabeth died.

Her opinion of him mattered, he realized. He had to fix this. He had to make it right somehow.

He looked up and opened his mouth to begin to speak, but she cut him off again.

"I know how much you miss her. Even the Gods have taken notice of your sorrow. But you lead these innocent young women on like a pig to slaughter. Do you know that most of these girls will live a life stuck with the lot of males that continuously harm and take advantage of them? If you were going to start a relationship, then I expected you to follow through."

"I'm- I'm sorry, Lady Artemis." He said dejectedly. "I should never have even attempted something resembling a relationship. Maybe I am the same as other men."

"Don't apologize to me. It's certainly not my heart that's in need of repair. And Perseus, Zoe was rarely, if ever, wrong about the character of mortals."

He nodded, understanding her meaning. Maybe not everything was ruined after all.

"See that you don't ruin the lives of more girls either."

"Yes, of course milady." He said solemnly. He wouldn't, because hearing that disappointment was fucking awful.

"Good." She took a step back, starting to glow, and Percy averted his eyes.

With a flash she was gone.

But strangely enough, for the first time in months, he didn't feel lonely.

oOo

Thank you for reading. Please review.

Edited: 5/1/2017. Thanks to paradoxed for his beta work.