[ this is the worst pain imaginable. inflicting anything on Annabeth is awful. it's like torture for him, which means it must be worse for her. the guilt is going to swallow him because now they both know it's true. Percy was honest with her in their bedroom. he wasn't sure, and maybe that was because it had taken him years to be sure of Annabeth. he kept second guessing himself or something would get in their way. his heart had known. not to say that he loves Nico. but he had been in love with him during that event. his feelings for him are as small as he's tried to make them, nowhere close to the absolute love he has for Annabeth.

but he does like the kid.

he cares about him.

getting launched off the planet right now wouldn't be the worst thing. ]

Everything I said to you was true. [ he would have taken this to his grave if he had a choice. ] Annabeth, I meant every promise. I would do anything for you. [ except manage to keep his big mouth shut apparently. ] You're not supposed to be anything, except whatever you feel like you need to be. I'm not going to tell you what that is because I have no idea.

I'm sorry. The last thing I wanted was for everyone to see this.