#broad strokes the same? Grover probably ran to ensure annabeth—and Luke—made it to camp. annabeth as the most vulnerable at seven)

[seaglassdinosaur]

See, Grover got to Percy’s side, made to help him down the stairs when Annabeth said one of them needed to stay behind to buy time.

And you know he immediately had a memory of Thalia, saying she needed to stay behind to protect them from the monsters, and he immediately felt that same guilt and fear and anxiety rush over him.

And he pushed back against her staying behind, because he wants everyone to make it through this, and he wants to be hopeful, but when Annabeth explains herself, he no longer verbalizes his objections. Because on some level, he knows that quests require sacrifices. Sometimes demigods die and they die young and it isn’t fair, but it happens and you can’t stop it.

Maybe a part of him recognized Annabeth was the best choice. She’s the best equipped because she’s had the most combat experience, and Percy’s on death’s door so he can’t stay behind, and arguing would waste time, but whatever justifications Grover had in his head, you know he felt awful. He felt history repeating itself, of him turning his back on one demigod companion to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable of the party. Him forced into a position where he will always feel a coward.

And then Percy flips the script and starts to talk, and Grover can’t even maintain hope that the combatant will make it out of there.