I am NOT Rick Riordan, thus I own none of his properties (or talent).

Learn To Love Again

The Well-Fed

~Nico's P.O.V.~

After finally sitting on the plane next to Percy, I became nervous. I could see in Percy's eyes he was too.

"Have you ever been one a plane before?" I asked.

His green eyes flitted to my own. "No. Have you?"

"Yeah, but I still don't favor the travelling option. I'd rather railroad."

"My dad always took me boating; I'd rather the sea."

I grinned a little: of course he did.

"So, hey . . ." I started.

"Yeah?" His round eyes became curious.

"Reyna and Annabeth. . . they can be a bit overwhelming, okay? And it might be weird to say this, but, they're the closest thing to family I have anymore."

Percy smiled sincerely. "I understand. Don't worry - We'll get along well, if we can all like you." He poked my cheek, and I couldn't help but smile.

When the plane began to lift off the ground, Percy went pale and grabbed my hand. I squeezed his tightly until we leveled out. Neither of us tried to move our hands afterward.

The ride didn't last nine hours - we were unloading our bags by then. I texted Reyna to confirm she was there to give us a ride to their house, and she responded quickly.

I saw here leaning against her Lexus, hair braided per usual and wearing her favorite flowy purple shirt. She smirked at us.

When I was close enough, she embraced me. I knew how she was about public affection, so I returned it gratefully. Reyna let go and looked at Percy.

"I'm Reyna. And you are?"

percy turned his smile on full voltage. "Grateful to be off the plane." I saw as he then hesitated, hoping that was the right thing to say. But Reyna burst into friendly laughter.

"Flying was never my thing, either."

"Wasn't it difficult to reserve a flight on Thanksgiving?" I butted in.

"Nico," Reyna scolded. "didn't you see what you were flying on?"

I quickly looked over the paper, to find we were boarded on the Argo.

"Oh."

"Hm?" Percy was lost.

Reyna filled him in. "Annabeth designed the plane. We pulled a favor."

"Cool!" Percy brightened.

"So, shall we?" She opened the trunk to load our luggage, then instructed me into the passenger seat.

"I can't be asking anything I want to right now without Annabeth, so just talk to me about pointless stuff."

"What, now you're taking orders?" I smirked.

She returned it and jostled my shoulder.

I peeked back at Percy. I was afraid my and Reyna's chemistry would make him shy. But he looked happy and excited.

When we got to the house, Reyna informed us that Annabeth should be finisking up dinner. We hurried inside at the aroma of the turkey.

Our blonde friend greeted us at the door. She said a breathless "hi" and gave me a soul-squeezing hug. She then gave Reyna a hurried but loving kiss on the cheek. Annabeth then appeared protective as he pushed me away to see Percy. Her expression turned to one of surprise, as did Percy's.

"Percy Jackson?"

"Annabeth Chase?"

They both laughed and lunged forward into an embrace.

After a minute, Reyna asked to be filled in.

"Oh. Me and Annie went to the same summer camp in middle school."

"Yeah, at the end of the summer, this dummy kissed me underwater. When we came up, I told him I was gay." She laughed heartily, and Percy joined her. "We tried to stay in contact, but gay friends have trouble with the long distance thing."

"Wait," I turned to Percy. "You're gay?"

Percy blushed deeply. "Yeah."

"Oh." I blushed too.

Annabeth then pulled Percys hair and made a comment on how soft it stayed. Then she told me and Reyna to set the table.

"But don't touch the food!" She warned. We consented.

The bantering friends followed in when we were finished.

Annabeth had prepared a feast, all spread out on the island in the kitchen: The turkey, whole and glazed; stuffing drenched like a sponge in broth; richly orange mac and cheese; buttered mashed potatoes; a large bowl of gravy; brussel sprouts soaked in butter; califlower; a fruit tray, including pomergranites.

"Dessert is in the fridge, if we can manage." Annabeth said, a satisfied tone in her voice.

"This looks amazing, babe." Reyna kissed her girlfriend with gratitude.

"Mmm, guests first, now, lady."

"Oh, God, I always knew you could cook, Annie." Percy moaned with a deep inhale. He urged me forward to get my plate and followed eagerly. I laughed and dug in.

The food was amazing. The table was alive with conversation. Laughter around bites of food, questions concerning catching up on one another and meeting another (in Percy and Reyna's case), compliments, and loving words towards each other (Reyna even went as far as to say to Percy, "You're not bad." and Percy returned it).

Then it was time to voice what we were thankful for.

"Well," Annabeth started. "I am thankful for being reunited with old friends and new alike. I am thankful for waking up everyday with Reyna by my side. I'm thankful to know that one way or another, I am loved." She smiled at her empty plate and looked at Reyna.

"I am thankful for this house." Reyna chuckled. "This old, beautiful victorian house that stands for the liberty I am allowed so that I may share it with Annabeth. I'm thankful to have someone to put me in my place, when I don't know it, and to keep my ghosts away." Then she looked at me. Her eyes were misty. I've never seen them misty. "I'm thankful that you're okay." She looked away quickly and Anaabeth tucked some hair behind her ear.

"I . . ." I started. Everyone looked at me steadily. "I'm thankful for so much." I said lamely. Reyna smiled. "I'm thankful for having people who care for me. I'm thankful for you girls, that do so, so much for me. I am thankful for you, Percy. That you deal thing me. This broken, stupid mess I am. And you do so much, and try so hard. I'm thankful that, even after these last two horrific months, that I still wanna try too."

Percy blushed hard, but his gaze was steady, caring. "I'm thankful that I am here, right now, involved with you awesome people, eating awesome food, telling awesome jokes. I'm thankful that I'm not the only one that got sentomental." I saw then that Percy was moist in the eyes. He chuckled. "I'm grateful to be surrounded by this loving atmosphere. That I can see, the love, just, spreading through to everyone from another."

There was a strong silence as we all took in another's words. Finally, I said, "I'm grateful I'm not dead right now."

That did it. Everyone let out a sob, including myself. Annabeth got up and came around the table and hugged me, but not before percy could lean over and completely envelop me. Annabeth encircled her arms around us and even Reyna got up and joined.

After a solid five minutes, when everyone was dry-eyed, Reyna spoke in a cracking voice. "Dessert?"

We laughed and agreed.

There was never any alcohol, which I was glad for. But, there was oner thing. The egg nog.

Everyone drank it and drank it, washing down their cake, until no one was exactly normal in the mind. We were all giddy with the think drink.

"Well, I think it's time to turn in, then." Reyna said.

"We couldn't find the space for two guest rooms, but if you'd like, I can fix up the couch for one of you." She looked at Percy as if silently saying it would be him.

We spoke at the same time.

"That'd be great."

"No, it's fine."

They both looked at me. "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, we've kinda been doing that for a while. Besides, I wouldn't want to get cold."

"You won't be cold. I can turn up the - Ow!" Reyna said, as Annabeth elbowed her.

"Of course. Great. Well, stay up as long as you need to. But I'll be turning in now. Reyna, you would be wise as to soon as well." She touched her girlfriend's elbow lightly before saying goodnight to us and leaving.

Reyna looked at me, rubbing her hands together. "You know the house. Do what you want. I'm going to go make love to my girlfriend."

"Wow! Okay. Thank you, for that." I said loudly. She winked and left.

I took Percy to our room, and we looked at each other and blushed.

"So, are we just gonna go to sle-"

I kissed him deeply, and I guess you can figure out the rest.