Hey, guys! I'll keep this short:

This is my first fanfic, so just bear with me. Constructive criticism will be gladly welcomed as it helps me with my writing.

I DO NOT OWN PJO; RICK RIORDAN DOES.

Chapter 1: Without You

A loud groan tore through the air as soon as the door fell shut.

Rhea sighed and looked at her twin brother, Percy, who was cursing about the pain quite a lot for seven-year-old.

She sighed again when he didn't stop. "Are you done yet?" she asked, exasperated.

Percy stopped talking and looked back at her.

Rhea breathed a sigh of relief (she seemed to be doing that a lot lately) and was about to speak again when Percy spoke up.

She refrained a groan when he, obviously trying and failing to look pitiful, said, "But it hurts!"

She humphed. "Then maybe you shouldn't have done that."

Percy grew quiet, then turned back to her with a serious face. "I was trying to protect you," he said softly.

Rhea met his eyes with her own. "I know," she spoke quietly.

They fell into a comfortable silence.

"I know this is a stupid question," Rhea began, "but I want to say it anyway: why do you keep taking the hits?"

"Rhea—"

"No," she cut him off. "Why do you keep taking the beatings when it was supposed to be mine?"

"Rhea, please—"

"I mean, what happens if he went to far and you die, and then—"

"I—"

"All I know is that I don't want you to get hurt, and I can't just stand there and watch him hit you—"

"Just let me—"

"And I—I—I can't live with myself knowing that something could happen," Rhea swallowed. Tears were falling freely down her face now.

"Rhea—"

"I just can't be without you," she whispered.

Percy stared at her, his face unreadable. The silence stretched out between them, and this time, it was awkward. Rhea stared into his eyes. His swirling sea-green eyes. It was usually open and calm for the world to see, but now, it was a mass of storms, closed off and slowly filling with tears.

Then he hugged her.

They clung onto each other as if they were both each other's lifeline, crying silently as they took on Rhea's words.

Percy let go and gazed into her own sea-green eyes. "Percy—" Rhea started.

"I'm not leaving you," he said firmly. "I'm not leaving without you."

Rhea looked at him. She gave him a watery smile. "I'm not leaving without you either," she echoed back.

"No matter what happens, nothing is going to stop me from fighting, from going back to you, from staying with you, because I love you. More than anything else in the world. I can't let you get hurt either, so please, let me deal with—with him," Percy spat out the word.

Rhea crossed her arms. "If I deserve it, let me have it," she said, her voice leaving no arguments.

Percy scoffed. "You never deserved any of it. It's Smelly Gabe's own poisoned mind."

Rhea snickered. "Smelly Gabe," she snorted.

Percy stared at her. "Rhea," he whined. "This is serious." But the corner of his mouth was also twitching.

Rhea shook her head. "Sorry, Percy," she said, laughing, "you're really deep, but you're still horrible at these kinds of talks. Sometimes makes me wonder if you're really seven years old, but then you unintentionally say something funny, and then I know you're still seven. Even though I'm your twin and I'm supposed to not question that."

He pouted at her. Then his mouth curled into a devious smirk.

Rhea looked at him warily. "Percy," she warned. "If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, don't—"

"Hey, Rhea, want to escape this house and run away for the moment while Mom is gone?"

Rhea stared at him. He stared at her. Then she smiled evilly. "Why, of course I want to," she sang, which wasn't really necessary. "But not without you," she added softly.

A/N:

So . . . like it? Hate it? Please review!