he fades from the reality he sits in for even just a moment, and then he is elsewhere –– and the world roars open, all teeth and jagged edges. the hand on his shoulder is the first to be acknowledged; it is the one thing he feels when lost in the misty fields of his sight. he thinks, oh, there he is –– my friend, my percy, my anchor. but the visions are a biting, gelid thing; they chew at his mind as if attempting to sever anything keeping him tethered to reality. he feels as if he's dragged from beneath percy's hold and thrown into a abysmal sea.
〝 no, ” but he isn't particularly responding to percy's query . . . no, he is trying to plead for his freedom; he wishes only to return to the shore of this ichor ocean, skin glistening with gods' blood and starlight when he finally reaches the blackened sands. paul sees himself walk upon this beach, onyx beneath bare feet, watching the sea turn gold. the echoing bellow of fallen gods turns the world silent in its wake before from it, rises beasts of only darkness, only the crimson blood of mortality and hatred. help me. yet there is no assistance in the realm of present, future and past; there is only what was, what is and what may be.
then a hand is upon his own, warm palm to the back of it, fingers slip between his own, callouses pressed to knuckles. the boy blinks and he is released from the chokehold of life - and - death's cruel dance. head turns to look at the other, dizziness ebbing from his vision as he focuses on bright eyes, on the hand still upon his own on his chest, on the tone of his voice. he feels he may sink into the earth beneath that gaze.
quietly, 〝 disappearing on you is the last thing I ever want to do, ” but it happens, much to his dismay. and it always tarnishes moments when he contemplates taking hold of his visage, dragging him close, pressing their forehead together and relishing in even a moment of clarity.〝 I'm sorry –– ” he mutters, not yet drawing away from the other's hold but instead raising his free hand to brush against a sun - kissed cheek. 〝 –– if I scare you, I'm sorry. ”