They lay in bed. Both sighing in relief as the mattress heaves around them. Annabeth turns to face her side and Percy comes up behind her, moving her hair from her neck so it's out of his face, and wraps his arms around her.

   His hand is on her hip; his other arm above her head, fingers in her hair. He moves his hand down and feels the soft curve of her stomach.

She pushes against him and sighs in content, eyes closed.

They have a fan running, curtains closed but window open, fresh air but the light is blocked. Thunderstorm sounds play from beside them.

They lay together, in silence and content. Holding one another close.

Then Percy's back begins to hurt, and Annabeth's knee is pulsing.

Percy kisses her shoulder, and whispers, "I need to move."

Annabeth nods and the two shift. Percy flips over and lays on his stomach, several pillows beneath him creating a gradual ramp. He feels his back pop. Then he feels cool hands on his back and smells menthol.

Annabeth rubs him with IcyHot, then rubs her own knee. She lays down beside him once more.

The two lay there, facing away from each other on their own side of the bed. Feet touching. Feeling the aches and pains of the years before them.

Ambrosia can only heal so much.

It feels as if Percy closed his eyes and opened them only seconds later, light streaming through the curtains. Annabeth's alarm going off is what gets him to sit up.

Annabeth groans, and turns to hit snooze. They roll to face one another and hold each other. Percy kisses her forehead. She snuggles in closer.

Then the alarm goes off again. She sighs and gets up, gets ready for her day, then walks around to Percy's side and kisses him.

He sits up to hug her before plopping back down. "I love you," he mumbles.

"I love you too." She whispers back, then closes the door behind her.

Percy stretches and lulls across the bed. His body diagonal. He closes his eyes once more, and sleeps until his alarm.