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The first thing Percy was aware of was the pounding of his head made even worse by the fact that he seemed to be moving. Or more accurately someone was carrying him. He thought he could hear them talking but couldn't make anything out above the ringing in his ears. He tried to open his eyes but had to immediately shut them when the light felt like a spear had been thrust into his eyeballs. As he became more aware more pain filtered through and he wished he could fall back unconscious. But if he was hurt that meant something bad was happening and he should probably wake up and try to help. Though if he would be able to help at all was beyond him. If he could just remember what had happened.
*****
He couldn’t exactly say he was surprised, but it would have been really nice to have a monster free journey for once. They weren’t even going that far! He and Annabeth had just planned to spend their Saturday in a little coffee shop a half hour from New Rome. They had even been on their way back when the Minatour had attacked their car.
What wonderful memories this was bringing up.
And of course that’s when the Minatour ran them off the road and into a tree. His head had slammed into the steering wheel. Everything was a bit fuzzy after that, but he could remember getting out of the car and bringing out Riptide. He doest think the fight with the Minatuar took long, especially with Annabeth by his side. But he remembers the monster charging, head lowered, him shoving Annabeth aside and intense pain in his abdomen before he stabbed Riptide through the Minatours neck causing him to dissipate into dust.
And screaming, he remembers hearing screaming. But who’s screaming, he’s not sure.
****
“Percy!” Annabeth screams as the monster dissipates into dust and Percy collapses on the ground, red already pooling around him. As she nears him she feels part of her mind shut down as the analytical side takes over.
Stomach wound though it's hard to tell the extent of the internal damage. Concussion from the crash. His breathing seems okay, so no punctured lungs. Quickly feeling beneath him doesn’t reveal an exit wound, though the Minatour’s horns are long enough to go clear through someone. They’re about a fifteen minute walk from New Rome, though carrying someone will make it take longer.
She needs Nico to shadow travel them, or for someone to bring water and ambrosia.
She bites her lip before dashing to the car to retrieve her bag where she keeps her prism.
“Show me Hazel at New Rome”
The image takes a moment to focus and she doesn’t waste a moment.
“Hazel!”
“Anna–” Hazel starts, turning towards her with a smile, but Annabeth interrupts.
“I need you to get some ambrosia, nectar, and water and come to the turn off for Jefferson Avenue.”
Thank the gods for Hazel, who doesn’t waste any time asking questions, merely says a quick “Will do.” before turning away.
Annabeth goes back to Percy shedding her jacket and using it to apply pressure to the wound. She curses herself for not having wrapped something around it in the first place.
Less than three minutes later (though it feels like much longer as Annabeth mutters prayers to gods she hardly trusts) and Hazel arrives on Arion.
She leaps off, her eyes going wide before her jaw tenses and she crouches by Annabeth pulling some nectar and a water bottle out of her sack.
Annabeth snatches the water bottle and pours it over Percy’s wound. She allows herself a bit of relief when she sees the bleeding slow before she helps Hazel pour some nectar down Percy’s throat. He coughs but some still makes it down.
By now Frank’s arrived with a car.
“Hazel, help me get him in the car.”
The other girl nods and they gently pick Percy up and put him in the back seat. Only when Annabeth is sitting with Percy’s head in her lap and the car has started moving does she let the fear start to show.
“You’re going to be okay. That’s an order, seaweed brain. You’re not allowed to die from the stupid minotaur.'' She strokes her hand through his hair and tries to get him to swallow more nectar. “Don’t think that I don’t know that this was just a way to get out of your college midterms”
Percy groans slightly and his eyes flutter before shutting again.
It isn’t long before they arrive and Frank carries Percy to medical.
Annabeth stays by his side. “We’re here Percy, it would be stupid to die now. You know I’ll just go down to the underworld and drag you back up.”
***
Even with the water and nectar it still takes three hours for the medical team to leave and another hour for Annabeth to be allowed in to see him.
His eyes are slightly open when she comes in.
“Hey, seaweed brain. How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Three,” he smiles, though she can tell he’s exhausted.
“Wrong, two. The other one’s a thumb.”
He chuckles and the tension leaves Annabeth’s shoulders.
“You okay, wise girl?”
“That’s a stupid question considering you’re the one in a hospital bed.” she pretends to be annoyed but she can’t stop smiling.
“Well, you are in the hospital wing.” he smirks.
Annabeth rolls her eyes but can feel herself relaxing more.
“Hopefully we won’t see the Minatour again. I can’t believe how quickly he reforms.”
“Don’t jinx it.” Annabeth says, poking him gently.
They’re silent for a moment. She can tell Percy’s fighting to keep his eyes open.
“I’m glad you’re okay.” She leans over and kisses him gently on the forehead. “I love you.”
He smiles up at her, “I love you too.”
He drifts off to sleep and Annabeth breathes out a sigh. This time everything turned out okay, but with their life who knows how many more close encounters they can get through. She wants a long life with Percy by her side, but as demigods there’s no guarantee.
But she’ll enjoy every moment they can get.