Immortality wasn't what Percy had thought it was; the years bled together, the days becoming unnoticeable besides the aging in his mother's face or Annabeth. He didn't visit often - he couldn't, but he tried. He always tried. He was his mother's boy at the end of days, never aging for a second more as she constantly did.

How could you have ever fallen for him? How could you, a mortal like he once was, love him so unconditionally? What had he done to catch your eye? How could you sit upon this beach, your fingers interlaced with his, your heart beating for him, how could you?

"Do you ever regret loving me?"

The words pool out in the darkness of the beach, his eyes never locking with yours. The tides rose and fell, chilling water against the soft skin of his ankles - his hair tussled in a casual manner, a lulling of the wind. He was hoping the breeze had taken the words from his lips, away from you. Away from the pit developing in his stomach.