It had been four months since their last big battle and four months since Percy had finally convinced Nico to stay with him in his cabin. More importantly, It'd been the safest and most comfortable four months of Percy's , if he could read him as well as he hoped, and Nico's life. Both of them had managed to work and live comfortably with each other, operating like a well oiled machine. Percy was currently planning Nico's birthday party and trying desperately to not let his roommate catch a glimpse of his notebook.
"Alright Jackson, spill the beans, why have you been clutching that notebook like it holds your darkest secret?" Nico threw the question over his shoulder as nonchalantly as he could, but Percy could see the frustration in his coffee colored eyes. "Wouldn't you like to know, Di Angelo." Percy filled his voice with teasing when he said the man's name. Nico huffed and threw his arms in the air before stopping out of the room.
Percy refused to let the angry Ghost King know that he had found out his birthday,one of Nico's most guarded secrets, and he wasn't about to let him know until the second he walked into his party. Percy looked at his notebook and sighed dejectedly. He knew how to give Nico the perfect party, but he felt like he needed to add more. Nico had been through so much in his twenty-three years than most people ever experienced and he deserved the world for it. And gods damn it Percy was gonna give it to him!
Percy squinted against the bright sun as he made his way to Will Solace who was waited by the volley ball court. "Goddesses above Percy it's one in the afternoon and you look like you just woke up, too much sleep is now good for the body you know.", chastised the doctor in the same way he always annoyingly yelled at most of the campers when they weren't being healthy. Percy rolled his eyes and asked, "Are you going to be able to make it tonight?" For an unknown reason it annoyed Percy when Will's face split in half with a huge grin and assured the brunette he'd be there no matter what. Percy shoved his annoyance deep down and continued his walk to the Hades cabin.
Percy glanced around before he ducked inside and adjusted his eyes to the darkness. He whispered into the cabin, "Hazel, are you here yet?" His answer came quickly as Hazel bounced around a door and said his name excitedly. "Hey girl, sorry you have to sit in here alone-", Percy was interrupted as another person came into the room. "Actually Percy Jackson she is not alone.", Reyna spoke with the same authority she used to command her troops. Percy was surprised at how happy he was to see her and honestly couldn't stop the smile from taking over his mouth as he asked, "I thought you couldn't get away from leading the camp?" She returned his smile and replied, "Frank offered to take care of things so I could come. He knew I wanted to be here for this." At the mention of Frank's good deed Hazel smiled and Percy watched as her smile faded as she remembered how much she missed him. Percy could relate and felt bad for the girl, but didn't have time to comfort her so he began to explain the night's events, "In 3 more hours I'm going to bring Nico here and-" For the second time that day, Percy annoyingly noticed, someone cut him off. "Actually Jackson I would prefer to spend the remaining hours with my son and I would ask the honor to bring him here.", Hades had appeared out of thin air , and honestly with Percy's fifteen years of experience he didn't even flinch. "Whatever, but understand this", Percy growled each word out as he stomped up to the glowing god, " don't you dare make him mad or sad or anything but happy when you bring him back here. Got it" The god glowered at the threat, but Percy didn't care he meant what he said. Hades' voice rumbled with power as he said, "I'd tell you to mind your tone, but I believe that isn't possible." And then he was gone.
Now angry, Percy finally got to finish his sentence, "Anyways I'm going to quietly send people here through out the next few hours and I'll leave you two in charge of organizing presents and food. Try to keep the lights off or Hazel can you use the mist to make everything look normal?" Hazel nodded excitedly, "Yes sir! I was getting bored of sitting quietly in the dark!" Percy smiled and turned to Reyna, "I'm going to send an Iris-message to Jason and Piper so they know it's good to come now will you help them set up food and clean up a bit?" Reyna nodded and went to the broom closet. Percy tried to snuff the joy out before he started smiling,but it was getting hard as his plan was coming together.