[ Again, all Will can do is agree. That's a good thing in Will's book -- a noble thing. Will isn't malicious, not really. He's capable of fury, intense all consuming fury that makes him want to sink his teeth into things and eat them whole. Hannibal stoked those flames until Will was capable of handling it fully and now he's at peace. He's given up morality for necessity. He needs Hannibal, so he will have Hannibal. Hannibal is also the way that he is. Will can't do anything about that, and he wouldn't. ]

I do too. It's why I don't interfere, it's the only way I can assure the right people will be able to do what they have to do to end the game well. We both have to do bad to have good.

[ He knows he could have helped but who would that help in the long term? No one. So, he kept quiet.

He listens to Percy's explanation and can't help the snort of amusement. He has a point there, Will will give him that and Will nods, spearing an orange onto his fork and taking a bite. ]

Then... I wish you luck in your next war, Percy. Whatever it may be.

[ If it's here. If it's Gaea. If it's anything else. He thinks Percy deserves a win, if anyone does.

He listens to Percy's story and understands it. He imagines he's wake up the same way, head empty except for Hannibal if anything like that happened to him at this point. It's a chilling thought. ]

We do.

[ He's not sure what else to say that. Anything else feels trite. He understands how Annabeth and Percy work at this point -- all he could say would be repetition so instead he moves on to address Percy's question. His final question, the one this entire conversation was waiting for. ]

I do. [ A sigh. ] To understand why I'm doing it, I have to explain Hannibal to you but -- but Percy, if you tell everyone else this, they won't understand. I know you can, I know you can see it like I do. Promise me you'll listen first and be safe about what you share.