Catching Up With A Loser

'''Chapter 4... I think? I don't know. I don't really keep track, and besides, I write too many fanfics at a time to  remember. I hope this will clear the confusion over how Luke is in Tartarus with Annabeth and Percy.'''

Percy couldn't believe it. He thought that loser Luke was dead for good. He definitely wasn't expecting to see him here.

"So, Luke." Percy was trying to sound calm and friendly. "How are you alive?"

"Gaea brought me back. She promised me that I would get a new life. Then, when she gave me that life, I ran. It was awful being part of her army. But she caught me and threw me into here."

Percy looked beside him at the vague outline of Annabeth. It was too dark to tell if she was sleeping, but she had stopped crying—for now.

"So you two are a thing now?" Luke asked.

Percy nodded. Then he realized it was pitch-black and Luke couldn't see him. "Yeah, we're together."

"Annabeth is a good person to be with," Luke said wistfully.

"You liked her, didn't you?" Percy realized how creepy that was—Luke was so much older than her!

"Yeah, and she had a crush on me, too. But I got power-hungry and screwed everything up."

Percy felt guilty about being angry at Luke. Clearly, the guy was sorry about what he'd done. On the other hand, Luke was unforgivable. He could have destroyed the world.

"You're too old for Annabeth, anyway," Percy commented bluntly.

"But can't I still appologize?"

Annabeth stirred. Percy and Luke looked over at her.

"We should probably—" Percy began.

"I'll take first watch," Luke quickly offered.

Percy hesitated.

"All the weapons are either on you or Annabeth," Luke assured him.

"Okay," Percy said, stretching. "I'll have to trust you on that."

'''There's a Leco chapter coming up next. I haven't forgotten them!'''