After proving himself in the war with Gaea, Mr. D was allowed to reclaim his place on Olympus early. His parting gift to Camp Half-Blood was an all out bacchanalia. Although the celebration was primarily for older campers, most of the younger ones snuck out anyway and Dionysus was too elated to care.

Bonfires and fountains flowing with wine (very strong grape juice for the younger campers at Chiron's insistence) had been set up throughout the camp. The arena had been converted into a giant swimming pool of wine, and the strawberry fields had become overgrown with grape vines bearing plump and unearthly purple fruit, no doubt a middle finger to all of his years in servitude, while further off purple-red fireworks cracked and sparkled over the beach.

The fireworks are what woke Percy. Since his time in Tartarus most of his days were consumed by sleep. At best, it was just a dark loss of consciousness, at worst, he would wake himself with his screams, coated in sweat. Thankfully, tonight's dreams were empty. Lately, Percy had gotten in the habit of sleeping fully clothed. Even though he knew he didn't really have to, knowing that he wouldn't have to worry about changing clothes or putting on shoes if there was an attack, provided him with a small amount of security which he desperately needed. It was the little things that kept him sane.

Hearing the cheers and happy cries of the party outside, he got out of his bunk and opened his door to investigate. Seated on his cabin's steps was Annabeth. At first, it looked like it was snowing, but when she picked some of it out of her hair he realized it was confetti. Two Apollo campers walked by with leaves in their hair, laughing and making kissy noises as they passed them.

"Oh, good. You're awake," Annabeth said as she turned to him and smiled. "I got up a little earlier and thought I'd wait for you here, I didn't want to wake you." Percy felt his chest swell. Even a few hours that he could escape his thoughts was a blessing and only Annabeth would understand how important it was to let him have his sleep. "But it looks like I didn't have to. Apparently, we're both in time for Mr. D's retirement party."

A loud splash and peals of laughter came from the arena, and Percy turned to Annabeth. "Was that-"

"They filled it with wine." She said nonchalantly. Percy's eyebrows must have run straight to his hairline because then she said, "Can you honestly say you're surprised?" and he realized that no, he couldn't. He went to sit next to her when he noticed two paper cups near her feet, one half empty.

"Have you been-" Percy started, noticing her slight blush.

"Obviously, seaweed brain," she said giving him a look, "I mean people are literally swimming in it. This is ridiculously tame by comparison. Besides, it helps," she said more softly, offering him the other cup. Percy couldn't blame her for that and took a sip himself.

Suddenly all of his muscles relaxed and he could feel his worries and personal demons fade quietly away. He looked at the other camper's antics and felt a warmth under his ribs. It was the best he'd felt in, he really couldn't remember. He looked over at Annabeth's lazy smile and scooted closer, leaning on her a little. She leaned back and they just stayed there like that watching the fireworks and confetti, taking everything in, reveling in finally being able to be at ease.

"So what else have they done, besides...?" Percy asked gesturing to the confetti.

"What, filling the arena wasn't enough?" She joked. "I haven't been here long, so I'm not sure. I know there are bonfires over by the lake. I heard some people talking about it a while ago."

"Hey, sound's romantic," he teased, getting up. "Let's go."

"Really? Are you sure you don't want to take a dip in enough wine to make your liver cry?"

He pretended to toss it around, "You know, now that you mention it..." Annabeth rolled her eyes smiling and got up to meet him. They walked hand in hand to the lake and for a moment, they felt like they had when they were younger. Carefree, sheepishly in love, and minds blissfully unclouded.

When they arrived, they saw that, true to her word, bonfires dotted the lakeshore, with a few logs spread intimately around them and several couples snuggled close together gazing at the fires. Percy motioned toward a vacant log and Annabeth nodded. They sat for a moment just staring like the couples around them.

The fires were almost red, and there was something hypnotic about them. They awakened a vague primordial desire in him to take off his clothes and run into the woods screaming. Looking closer, Percy saw what looked like figures in the fire, dancing, but wasn't sure if they were actual creatures or illusions caused by the wine, because they would disappear as soon as they came, flicking and flitting in and out of his awareness. Either way he was entranced.

It took him what felt like an eternity to tear his gaze away to look over at Annabeth, and saw that her eyebrows were knit together, likely trying to figure out what exactly she was seeing as well. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and she almost begrudgingly turned to face him. "Y-Yeah?" she replied still with a hint of confusion in her tone.

"You wanna go see the fireworks? This place is a little too Lotus Casino for me." Percy said, and like someone had slapped him across the face he remembered Nico. Nico, who had also been in Tartarus, and who had probably also been woken up by the noise and who was probably alone right now. Percy swore to himself that he wouldn't let Nico suffer by himself. He wanted to be there for him like he and Annabeth were there for each other. Maybe they'd start some kind of Tartarus support group.

"What's going on in there?" Annabeth playfully knocked on his forehead, "Everything okay?"

"Annabeth, Nico." He said simply and understanding instantly flashed across her face. "Let's go get him,"

"Er...Maybe it would be better if-"

"If you just went to get him," she finished. Percy apologized but Annabeth understood. It was pretty well known around the camp that Nico had a thing for Annabeth, so their relationship was rough on him, and Percy didn't want to upset him if he could help it. They both grabbed their cups and got up.

"Oh, hey, where did you get these?" Percy asked motioning to his cup, "I was thinking about getting Nico one. Gods know he could use it." Annabeth chuckled.

"Take your pick. There are fountains everywhere. I think the closest would be the one by the Hermes cabin." Percy nodded and kissed her lightly. "I think I'll head over to the beach. You were right about the Lotus Casino thing." Annabeth waved, and turned toward the fireworks, picking more confetti out of her hair and stumbling a little on her way.

Percy started to move toward the cabins, but he felt like someone had injected liquid cement into his legs while he wasn't looking, not sure if it was the fire or his drink. He peered into his cup and wondered how exactly it differed from mortal wine, but after taking a quick gulp he felt much better, and trotted off. Though, in addition to the warmth flowering in his stomach, he also felt a small twinge of dread.

He wasn't exactly Nico's favorite person, and to be fair, Nico wasn't exactly his either. But that was mostly because Nico always treated Percy like he was made of poison. Most of their interactions were either pointed and clipped, or turned into shouting matches if Percy pressed further. Nico had a lot to resent him for, with his sister, Annabeth, and his lack of popularity, contrasted with Percy's. But Percy wasn't looking forward to facing his bitterness and jealousy alone, justified or not. He was definitely getting Nico a cup of wine first.

Percy trotted to the Hermes cabin and saw the Stoll brothers trying to draw on each other's faces with permanent marker even though neither of them had passed out. He watched in amusement as he grabbed a cup near the fountain, dunked it in, and pretended not to notice whoever's underwear was laying in the grass near it. He sent a friendly wave to the two, laughing to himself, and began making his way to the Hades cabin.

Climbing up the steps he drank what was left in his cup and steeled himself for whatever Nico was going to lob at him. He crushed his cup and put it in his pocket before knocking. No response. He tried knocking harder and this time heard a faint but distinctly irritated "Go away."

"Nico, it's me!" He shouted through the door. After a quiet moment he tried again. "I'm coming in!" Percy said in a playful tone, hoping a lighthearted approach would help to ease the tension."Don't be naked or at least cover whatever you don't want me to see!" He opened the door and saw Nico sitting up in bed, knees to his chest, and even in the dim lights, face bright red. He should have known better.

"Aw, I'm sorry, man. I didn't mean to embarrass you." and Nico tensed further, leering at him.

"I said go away!" he practically barked. Percy stood there debating what he should do, but he was already here, so he might as well try.

"Hey, listen, Mr. D's throwing a pretty crazy going away party out there and I really think you should come out and join us." Nico didn't respond and Percy paused unsure where to go from there. "When I say crazy, I'm not kidding. You wouldn't believe it, people are going nuts. Like I saw a pair of boxers laying in the grass on the way here. I don't even want to know why that was..." he trailed off because Nico had become even more rigid and Percy remembered that Nico's originally from a more respectable time. Idiot. "Anyway, there are these fountains all over the place that are flowing with Mr. D's wine, uh, and so I brought you some." he was stumbling over his words, floundering already. "I thought you might want to try it, it's really good," he added, trying to sound friendly.

"I'm not thirsty." Nico muttered. Percy started to walk toward Nico, but froze after Nico shot him an icy glare.

"I know what it was like in..." he paused, trying to choose his words carefully, "I know what it was like, you know, down there. Annabeth and I get it." Nico's eyes looked like they could peel paint and Percy inwardly groaned. He should have known better than to mention her, "but this stuff actually makes you feel better," gesturing to the cup in his hand. Percy then realized that it sounded like he was trying to cajole a sixteen year old into alcoholism and cringed mentally. "I mean, because it's god-wine. Come on, take a break from sleeping or...whatever you're doing in here, and have some fun with us."

"I told you I don't want it. Gods, just leave me alone!" Nico snapped. Percy started chanting be patient, be patient in his head.

"Nico, what I'm trying to say is that I don't want you to feel like you have to go through this by yourself. Annabeth and I want to be here for you. Maybe having a fun night out with friends could be really good for you." Nico's expression softened slightly then twisted back into anger.

"I don't want your pity, Jackson, I just want you to get out of here! Better yet get out of my life altogether! All you've done is made it worse from first the moment I met you." Percy staggered back, hurt, and balled his free hand.

"Nico I'm just-" he started again feeling a knot in his throat.

"I don't want the drink!" he shouted before Percy could even finish. If Nico wanted to do this, then fine.

"I'm not pitying you! If you took just half a second to stop being such a self-absorbed brat, you might see that people are actually trying to help you!" Percy shouted back.

"Get out!"

"Here's your drink!" Percy yelled smacking the cup down on the table by the door, "And here's your solitude! Now try growing the hell up!" and he walked out and slammed the door. Outside, he put the heels of his palms in his eye sockets and stood there for a while. That had not gone as well as he'd planned.

Nico looked at his knees, and let out a quiet sob. He grabbed his sides and lay back down, muffling his cries with his pillow. He'd just alienated one of his very precious few friends, for nothing more than being thoughtful and bringing him a drink.

Waves of self-loathing washed over him. He was a brat. Percy had gone out of his way to do something nice for him and he slapped him away. He knew that eventually, he would stop reaching out to him, and that one day Nico would chase him away for good. Nico wondered if that was what he'd just done, imagining never seeing Percy again, and started bawling into his fist.

He got up, and after drying his eyes on his sleeve, he walked over to the cup Percy had left, gazing at the splattered wine around it. He picked it up and stared at it until his vision became blurry. "Thank you, Percy," he whispered to the empty cabin and started to cry again.

Percy turned back around toward the Hades cabin but Nico's words still rang in his ears. Get out! Maybe being alone really was what he wanted. Percy doubted it, but he also doubted that his presence helped any. Even if it wasn't through him, he just wanted someone to be there for Nico, especially now that Percy had gone and screwed things up. Wait, that was it! He jogged back to his own cabin and checked the pockets in a pair of pants laying on the floor and...Success!

He grabbed the drachma and tossed it in the fountain in the corner of his room and prayed, Oh Iris, goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering. "Hazel Levesque," he said aloud, still unsure. Her face appeared, and it looked like she'd been sleeping because she was wearing a hair wrap and a minnie mouse t-shirt.

"Nnyes?" She muttered, but then became more aware and her eyes grew wide. "Percy! Oh! Uh! Hold on!" and after a few moments, she said "Gods, what is it, two in the morning there?" from wherever she'd gone. She returned after a few more moments, hair unwrapped and now wearing a green sweater. "Is everything okay? Did something happen?" Percy checked his watch.

"It's three, actually. And sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up. Everything's all right, I'm just a little worried about Nico." Now that he was actually talking to Hazel, he realized he wasn't even sure what he wanted to ask her.

"What's wrong?" She had a sad but resigned expression, like she'd expected this.

"After everything he's been through, I mean, after everything that's happened," he tripped over his words again, "I just think that he really needs a friend, you know?" She nodded in agreement. "I've tried to reach out to him," her eyes flash with a brief hint of something though Percy couldn't place it, "but it seems like every time I do, he just closes himself off even more." Hazel nods again, pensive.

"I know what you mean," she says softly, almost to herself.

"Actually, I was hoping that maybe you could help. He trusts you, and he respects you. I thought that you could come and be with him at least for the night. We just fought a little and I don't want to leave him alone, if you know what I mean." There's a brief pause, the air heavy with implications of what Nico might do if he was left alone. Percy had seen some of the scars, though he pretended not to. Hazel shifts uncomfortably, but nods.

"I've only shadow travelled that one time...but you're right. Nico shouldn't be alone. I'll try to be there soon." She smiled gently and Percy returned it.

"Thank you, Hazel. That makes me feel a lot better. Have a safe trip." Hazel looks a little nervous but smiles again and cuts through the mist with her hand.

Percy headed back outside and made his way for the beach where Annabeth was waiting. He barely realized he was walking, still too lost in thought, until he noticed the sand beneath his shoes. He looked around tentatively until he saw Annabeth sitting and gazing at the displays in the sky. Thankfully here, at least, it wasn't raining confetti, leaving a clear view of the fireworks. Percy walked over and sat down beside her. "Hey," he said quietly.

"Hey, how'd it go? You've been gone a whil-" She stops when she sees the look in his eyes. "What happened?"

"I-I kind of yelled at him."

"Just tell me what happened," she said cooly.

"It's so hard to talk to him. It's like everything I do is wrong, and no matter what I say it just makes it worse. It got heated and he kept telling me to leave, so I called him a brat and I sort of stormed out," he paused looking at her, dejected, "I wanted to go back and apologize but I knew that probably wouldn't end well, so I asked Hazel to talk to him and keep him company." Annabeth sighed but then rubbed his arm.

"I know Nico can be tough, but you have to be patient with him. He's been through a lot and he's still just a kid."

"We've all been through a lot," he sighed, "But you're right. Do you think I should try to talk to him again?"

"I think you've done enough damage for one night, seaweed brain. He'll probably need his space, but I do think he needs someone, and after your...baby fit," she smiled good-naturedly, "I think it was a good idea to get Hazel to come." Percy made a face at the remark, but he was glad that he'd done at least one thing right.

Exhausted from everything, he looked up and watched the fireworks in silence. The intermittent crackles, the sound of the waves lapping at the shore, and Annabeth's warmth soothed him, and he began to doze off on her shoulder until he felt someone kick him lightly in the back. He looked up to see a dark figure standing over him, swaying a little.

"Nico!" Percy exclaimed, shock evident in his voice.

"Hey, Percy. Annabeth." His words came out a little slurred. He had a strange expression and kept looking at Percy then quickly away. He was probably nervous and felt bad about what happened. Percy knew he did.

Hazel came jogging after him and gave a quick "Hi, guys," catching her breath. Percy animatedly mouthed thank you to her when she settled. She smiled and asked "So what is all of this for anyway?" sounding a little tipsy herself. Percy patted the ground next to him and Nico sat down beside him with Hazel beside Nico.

"Dionysus, uh, Bacchus has finished his work here, so we're having a blowout to celebrate him leaving." Annabeth explained. "Have you two been drinking?" Nico let out an exaggerated and almost childlike Duh, Hazel burped delicately in agreement, then both started cackling and even Percy and Annabeth joined in. When their laughs petered out, Percy turned to Nico.

"I'm really happy you decided to come out," Percy said smiling. Nico looked shocked like Percy had just told an unfathomably dirty joke.

"What!? No I didn't! You mean you knew!? Oh!" and then burst into a fit of giggles. Hazel giggled along, but glanced at Nico nervously. Percy and Annabeth just stared wide-eyed, partly because it was one of the very few times they'd heard Nico laugh this much, and also wondering just how many cups of Dionysian wine they'd had to drink.

"Nico, I-" Percy started when the shock subsided, and for a second it looked like Nico was about to cry.

"Percy, I'm so sorry. Please I'm so sorry." Nico mumbled, clinging to Percy's arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry, Percy."

"I'm sorry too, Nico. I overreacted." and out of nowhere Nico threw himself onto Percy with a drunken hug.

"I love you so much, Percy." and Percy felt like his chest was splitting in two, overcome with the gesture. He hugged him back and patted his shoulder.

"I love you too, buddy." Nico was finally reaching out to him. Sure, it took him getting plastered on otherworldly wine, but it was a start, and Percy wasn't going to pass it up. Nico started to nibble on his ear, so Percy gently pulled him off, thanking the gods he'd only had the one cup or who knows what weird stuff he'd be doing right now.

"No..." Nico whined like a child being torn from a toy, and he leaned in again, this time resting in Percy's lap and seemed to fall asleep there. He quietly murmured something else, eyes closed, but Percy didn't catch it.

"Hazel, how much has he had?" Annabeth asked.

"Well...he had a few before I got here, I think." she replied trying to look like she was serious and thinking about it, but was struggling to suppress another fit of giggles, "And then I tried some...and then some turned into a lot," She said bursting into laughter. Annabeth and Percy shared a look. Percy pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed, but then he smiled and shook his head at Hazel.

"You know," Percy said looking down at the gently smiling kid nestled over his legs, thankful that he'd opened up even a little, "maybe that was exactly what he needed." Hazel actually did look thoughtful at this for a moment, but then said,

"You know what I need? I need to forget what I saw going on behind the Ares cabin. That's what I need," and she began laughing again. Nico stirred from Percy's lap and started guffawing with her.

"Well at least he's happy," Annabeth whispered to Percy. And he smiled down at Nico. He leaned over to kiss Annabeth, glad that they could all be there together, their own strange little support group like he imagined, but saw too late that Nico was staring at him with a detached, glazed look in his eyes. His face contorted and flushed with color and he started to actually cry this time.

Percy cursed himself for being so careless again. He tried to rub his hair a little, but Nico recoiled, climbing out of his lap. He then started to sob heavily, and Hazel moved closer to rub his back, trying to calm him, but his jagged sobs turned into retches, and Percy got a good idea of how much he'd had to drink. Once he was finished, Nico wiped his mouth and they all scooted away from the vomit. Nico despondently stared at at the ground, shoulders slumped.

"Nico, I'm sorry about...I forgot about...Annabeth" Percy tried, not knowing how to go about it tactfully, looking down himself. To his surprise he heard Nico start chuckling, and he looked up to see his shoulders shaking. Nico turned around to face him.

"You..." Nico said between gasps, "are so...clueless!" and burst into really solid laughter, that was almost scary. "I-I mean, how can you be that dumb?" he said erupting with another string of bizarre laughs that sent prickles down Percy's spine. Hazel tried to grab Nico's arm, but he shook her off.

"Nico..."

"No, Hazel, it's all right. It's all right, because he's not going to figure it out. He so stupid!" and he laughed again holding his ribs. Percy remembered the phrase in vino, veritas and started to feel insulted. Was this really what he thought of Percy, that he was an idiot? What was it that he, this bumbling moron, couldn't figure out? Beside him, he saw that Annabeth had become steely, retreated deep in thought.

Without warning, Nico lunged at him again, but this time started planting little kisses on his face and neck. Hazel gasped and covered her gaping mouth with her hand.

"Nico, stop!" Percy said, pushing him off, feeling queasy after catching whiffs of the alcohol and bile on his breath, cursing the wine. Annabeth's eyes looked like they were going to fall out of her head. "Ugh, it's a good thing Mr. D's only retiring once."

"Don't you get it?" Nico challenged looking dumbfounded, "I love you! I'm in love with you!" Hazel went completely still, and Annabeth's face looked blank, like she was barely there. Percy paused and suddenly realized it wasn't the wine. His head rushed and it was like a thousand little puzzle pieces fell into place in his mind. He really was that big of an idiot. How could he have been so dense? The phrase swirled around in his head again, ringing in his ears. In vino veritas. In wine, there is truth.

Percy stared at his hands in shock, but when he regained his senses, he noticed the party goers around them had also quieted somewhat and that some were staring. He realized that Nico had been pretty loud. Without warning Nico got up and started to run away, but tripped, and a group of Aphrodite campers started howling with laughter. Percy heard him sob as stood up quickly and ran unsteadily into the woods. Hazel got up and went after him calling his name. More fireworks shot into the sky with the sound of corks being popped, and Percy and Annabeth just sat there, taking it all in.