Chapter 7: Camp Jupiter
Percy's POV
Annabeth and I had already planned on visiting Camp Jupiter, so we got on our flight. Luckily, Zeus and I had an agreement about him blasting me out of the sky, so I wasn't afraid of dying. Good thing we have demigods in the airports too, otherwise Annabeth and I would have to get rid of Riptide and her shield. Her Drakon bone sword wouldn't trigger the metal detectors though, so Annabeth viewed that as an advantage. We got on the plane and sat in our seats.
"Maybe while we're in California, we can visit my dad." Annabeth suggested.
"Yeah. It wouldn't hurt." I agreed.
She leaned her head on my shoulder, and we talked and watched the in-flight movie for the rest of the flight. Then we touched down in California. Annabeth and I got off the plane and saw Frank and Hazel waiting for us.
"Hi guys." I hugged them both.
"Hi Frank. Hi Hazel." Annabeth hugged them each in turn.
"How was the flight?" Hazel asked politely.
"Cheesy in-flight movie." I snorted.
"Even though it was super cheesy, the flight was okay." Annabeth answered.
"Let's go before a cyclops shows up." Frank suggested.
So we walked out to a van similar to the one at Camp Half-Blood and drove to Camp Jupiter.
"This is nicer than being chased by Gorgons." I commented.
"Or listening to Leo play car games as we're flying in a celestial bronze ship." Annabeth smirked.
"So, you guys wrote some books?" Frank changed the subject.
"I had Rachel's Uncle Rick publish our stories." I confirmed.
"I had nothing to do with it." Annabeth said.
"We were just kind of surprised. Even Reyna and Octavian were surprised." Hazel explained.
"I can just tell this is going to be a best seller." I chuckled.
"According to what I read on the internet, their already on the New York Time's Best Seller list." Annabeth interjected.
"Yes!" I fist pumped.
We arrived at Camp Jupiter and were greeted by Reyna.
"Hello Percy. Annabeth." Reyna greeted.
"Hi." Annabeth smiled.
"Hey." I said cautiously.
Reyna hesitated for a second before hugging me. I hugged her back politely.
"It was strange to read about myself, but I can respect what you did." Reyna offered as an explanation.
"Okay then." I agreed.
We went further into Camp and I stared longingly at New Rome. Annabeth grabbed my hand and smiled. It would be nice to live monster-free and have a family.
"Eventually." Annabeth whispered.
I smiled broadly. We walked to the Colosseum, where everyone else was training.
"Oh my Gods! Dakota, why do you smell like that?!" I had to hold my nose as he passed.
Dakota glared at Reyna like it was her fault.
"He pulled something horrible during family week with Nathan and Marcus. They had severe punishment, which included no showers. Their punishment ends tomorrow." Reyna grinned.
I wasn't sure I wanted to know.
"What did they do?" Annabeth questioned.
"Attempted to assasinate the Augur and assaulted a praetor." Reyna frowned at the memory.
"What?!" That sounded too weird to me.
"Frank, why didn't you tell us?" Annabeth looked at him.
"I wasn't the praetor they attacked." Frank answered.
"Why did they attack you and Octavian?" I looked at Reyna.
"They were already on another punishment for attempting to severely injure Octavian. They were so angry they tried to kill him, I defended him, and they nearly knocked me out by pushing me against a rock in the lake." Reyna described it.
"You're not supposed to be here." Terminus appeared in front of Dakota.
"But..." Dakota started.
"It's part of your punishment, in case you forgot. Now leave." Reyna ordered.
Dakota reluctantly left with Terminus following him.
"What exactly did they try to do to Octavian the first time?" I wondered.
"They kicked him into unconsciousness, and they were going to have a horse drag him." Reyna looked pained.
"That's just wrong." Annabeth commented.
"Hi Reyna!" Octavian smiled as he walked over and kissed her.
Annabeth and I gaped at them.
"It surprised us too." Hazel said.
"You'll get used to it." Frank shrugged.
Octavian looked unusually happy as he headed off somewhere. Reyna grinned like an idiot.
"I'm guessing you two bonded while we were gone?" I recovered from my shock.
"No wonder he wanted to be praetor." Annabeth stared at Octavian as he talked to a faun.
"Shut up." Reyna smiled shyly.
"Oh, and I don't blame you for making me seem like an ass." Octavian walked back towards me.
"So, what else has changed?" I asked.
"Octavian stopped murdering teddy bears." Reyna answered.
"I kill stuffed spiders instead." Octavian added.
Annabeth grinned evilly. "Can I watch you kill the spiders?"
Everyone laughed and we visited other people around Camp.
"I liked the books." Terminus smiled. "Julia held them for me as I read them."
"That's cool." I said. "What did Julia think?"
"She loved it when I read them." Terminus told us.
"Who's Julia?" Annabeth questioned.
"A little girl who help Terminus. She's a legacy." I explained.
I spotted Nico talking to Hazel. I walked over to say hi.
"You like Percy?!" Hazel looked scandalized as she fanned her face.
"So?" Nico shrugged.
"You know what time period she's from, right?" Frank teased.
"Considering that it was frowned upon when I was in my time period, I guess it wouldn't be much better in hers." Nico laughed.
"Hi Nico." I interjected.
"Hey Percy." Nico smiled.
"He doesn't like you back, does he?" Hazel fanned het face faster.
"I'm straight as an arrow for Annabeth." I chuckled.
"I figured. Come on Hazel, let's watch Annabeth giggle as Octavian murders the stuffed spiders." Frank suggested.
They walked over to Annabeth and Octavian.
"Want to go watch? Sounds entertaining." I offered.
"Sure." Nico grinned.
Annabeth had a huge grin as Octavian slew the stuffed spider.
(A/N: To get the reference to Octavian and Reyna's relationship and family week, read my other story, Family Week.)
