[ she squeezes back immediately, drawing the same comfort from holding his hand she always has, from the very first time she took it. percy is the steadiest presence she's ever had in her life. ]

You're not stupid. [ annabeth calls him stupid a lot, and he has his dumb moments - but annabeth doesn't think he's actually stupid. ] It's like all those memories are still swarming in our heads, even though none of it was real - sometimes it's hard to think straight about it. Especially since we only just got back.

[ her head is definitely still spinning. ]

And I know you wouldn't have left me there. [ she knows he wouldn't leave her anywhere, and that's a thought that's constantly both soothing and terrifying. her eyes glance over his face, over his cheek, but it's such a casual look and he's so close anyway, the way she lingers briefly on where she'd cut his skin is near imperceptible. she looks at him all the time. ]

[ he says he doesn't blame her, and she believes him. but that doesn't mean she isn't going to stew on her own remaining guilt about it. she can blame herself just fine and believe he wasn't avoiding her because of it. ]

We'll tell each other, if we ever need space. I promise I'll tell you, okay?