Forever and Always: Elysium

Annabeth sat under the shade of a big maple tree with her eyes closed. She liked the feeling of the gentle breeze that always seemed to be around Elysium caress her cheeks. She could feel the grass beneath her bare feet and smell the dozens of colorful flowers. Relaxing into Percy, who had an arm wrapped around her waist, she sighed happily.
It was all peaceful. Of course, it always was. What else did people expect from the demigod Paradise?

Percy and Annabeth had arrived some hours ago and they still couldn't believe it: They were dead.  After all they had gone through, was this the way it was supposed to end?
Not that she was complaining. He wasn't, either. Word had spread that the war had, after all, been won. And besides, here at Elysium wasn't all that bad.
They had met Silena and Beckendorf, who looked happy to see them again but shocked.
"We didn't expect you'll make it here so soon," Silena said. Then she covered her mouth and went red, looking horrified with her outburst.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude-" Percy shook his head that it was fine. They didn´t expect it, either.
"Is Luke here?" Annabeth had interrupted. She stood on her tiptoes, as if somehow Luke was hiding behind Beckendorf. That thought made her smile a bit.
Silena shook her head no. "He tried for rebirth." Annabeth nodded.  As she had said before, he always pushed himself too far, but she couldn't help but feeling a bit sad.

"Why are you frowning?" Percy asked, interrupting her reverie.
"Just thinking," she answered softly. There was a comfortable pause. Then, “Do you regret it?" the words were out of her mouth before she could consider it further.
Annabeth could almost feel his surprise. "Regret what?"
Annabeth adjusted her position. She had her head on the crook of Percy's neck; she opened her eyes and looked straight into his.
"Everything. Anything. I don't know, but do you?"
Percy frowned. He was silent for so long, Annabeth thought that maybe he hadn't heard her. Or maybe that he really didn't want to answer. She felt disappointment rush through her, and an immense sadness, which she found illogical. Percy had been weakened by Tartarus, and then headed straight toward battle. His death was her fault. Of course he regretted it.
She closed her eyes again, this time not to enjoy the breeze, but to avoid eye-contact.
"No," Percy whispered softly.
"What?"
"I don't regret anything. Nothing.  I'm happy with the ways things are now."
Annabeth released the air she didn't know she was holding.
"Percy." She was grateful for him saying that. He didn't regret it; not one bit.
"Do you mean what you said earlier?" Percy inquired out of the blue, like her previous question had.
"I have said many things before, Seaweed Brain," she teased, just because she was feeling more at ease now.
"Wise Girl," he planted a playful kiss on the corner of her lips. "I mean when you said you loved me." His voice went from his usual playful tone to a more serious whisper. His sea-green eyes scanned her face for any sign of anything.
Annabeth almost laughed. They had DIED, and the only thing Percy really wanted to know was that? She placed her forehead against his.
"Yes," she breathed. "I still do. And I always will."
Percy nodded. "Good." He brushed his lips against hers. "Because I love you too."
Annabeth laughed now, much to Percy's confusion.
He groaned and sat up. "What did I do wrong this time? Annabeth."
"Hey!" she squealed as he wrapped his arms around her torso and brought her closer to him. Annabeth was still laughing at Percy's obviousness and her relief. Or maybe she was just going crazy. Both were equally probable.
Percy pressed his lips gently to hers, very effectively shutting her up. Annabeth's hands went to Percy's hair, messing it up even more than usual. His hands started tracing soothing circles on her back.
"Whoa, am I interrupting something?" a voice in mock surprise said. Beckendorf.
Percy groaned. Annabeth smiled. She was in a good mood after all.
"C'mon man, you've got forever to do that later. But right now, Silena wants us to go to that 'surprise place' she keeps talking about and won't tell me anything about." Beckendorf made a face. They had agreed to do something like a double-date to catch up for the past two years.
They stood up, Beckendorf showing the way.
"We have forever,” Percy echoed, his smile getting bigger as they started walking towards the stone bridge that crossed over a clear-watered river. Around the rivers some impossibly beautiful flowers grew, giving the place the sweet scent Annabeth had noticed earlier.
"Forever and always," Annabeth quoted and gave him a light peck on the lips. That seemed to be a good motto for them now.
Her fingers laced through his in a silent reassurance. "Forever and always."