Chapter 42: Fire Escapes and Blue BDay Cakes

AN: I've been in touch with the amazing Justsmileandwaveboys, author of Repercussions. I was a little stuck about this part because I was unsure about whether to include the Bronze Dragon before it and a little something of my own after. But you guys get a little of my own writing and Nico being forced to have a little fun and get taken care of by Sally. Italics are my additions as always, while bold is the original script. Hope all of you are well Fire

"How do you explain that all to Paul?" asked Walt asked switching the topic. "He doesn't know the truth. Your father pulling you aside and then just disappearing isn't something easy to explain."

"We managed."

"So you told him?" Hearth signed.

"Not yet."

"So what happened?"

"I told them dad left, managed to hold off questions until after I blew out the candles, and then we convinced Paul that Dad left by the fire escape. He wasn't so sure but there wasn't really another choice because the only other exit is the front door."

Percy walked into his room.

"We miss anything?" Chris asked.

Tyson was the one to answer/ "We ate blue cake and ice cream. And played fun games."

Percy laughed. "Yeah. Never play Charades or monopoly with Tyson."

"Why?"

"Because he shouts out all the answers he's acting out to charades," Percy grinned then blinked and looked scared. "As for Monopoly, he's a monster. I was gone before I could pass go three times and Mom and Paul were subjected to being bankrupt after. That's when I left for my room."

He put a slice of cake on his dresser and took off his camp necklace and put it on his dresser twisting the three beads, a trident, the golden fleece, and a maze. He looked at the phone beside it and his hand next.

"Thinking about me?" Rachel blinked innocently.

"I almost invited you."

"Why didn't you?"

Percy shrugged. "I think I needed some space from girls."

All the girls in the room started to glare at him.

"You know what I meant."

Percy patted his pocket and pulled out riptide, a tissue, a key, and then his shirt pocket. He frowned as he felt something and his eyes widened as he pulled at the shirt.

"That's the one I weaved," Calypso said surprised.

"It is."

"You kept it."

"Of course. And I kept my promise. Or tried to. I didn't manage to keep all of it. Leo succeeded for me there."

"I only asked one promise from you. If you kept that you have done all you needed too."

Percy brought out a small piece of cloth and unwrapped the moonlace in it. It was now a shriveled tiny sprig but Percy inhaled and looked at it sadly.

"I miss that smell," Percy sighed.

"Your whole apartment smells like it," Annabeth reminded him.

"Yeah. It smells like home."

Calypso smiled gratefully.

Percy opened the window and climbed out to the fire escape. There was a planter box there full of dirt. Percy looked up at the full moon and back at the box where he dug some dirt and carefully planted the moonlace and sprinkled some nectar on it and watched. Nothing happened for a few seconds. Then a tiny silver plant sprang out of the soil.

"Thank you," Calypso said. Her eyes were full of tears but she beamed.

"It's my mom's favorite now," Percy told her. "We have lots of it."

"I would like to plant some. When we stop traveling that is," Calypso sighed.

"The only reason we have a garden is you. Take as much as you want," Percy told her. "And mom would be happy to finally meet you and Leo."

"I think we all want to meet Sally now," Magnus told him.

"You will," Annabeth replied.

"Plus," Percy added looking back at Calypso. "You need to teach my mom some of your recipes too. Not that her food isn't already awesome."

"Understatement," Nico said.

A voice said nice plant and Nico walked out of the shadows.

"Shadow travel?" Will asked.

"Yeah. I mean this is maybe the third or fourth time it was actually successful though," Nico replied.

Percy snorted which got him a small glare from Nico.

"Question," interrupted Thalia. "Why are you even there?"

"You don't know about this?" Jason asked her.

"Now. Contrary to most people's beliefs I don't know everything. Seriously. I thought the next time you two met up was our little quest."

"That's probably the time after this," Percy said. "But Nico had promised to keep me updated."

"I wasn't so great at that," Nico muttered.

"I knew anyway."

Nico looked at him strangely for a moment before realizing. "Dreams."

"Yeah."

"You know that's creepy."

"Says the guy that just walked out of my fire escape."

Nico shrugged.

Percy rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter. I also saw you the other times you randomly popped up trying to convince me."

"Convince you of what?" Jason asked looking between his cousins.

"Nothing fun."

Nico apologized and said he didn't mean to startle him. Percy said that was okay. What was he doing there?

"You got bigger," Hazel noted. "And you got your ring."

"You need a hair cut," Reyna said.

"This already happened," Nico reminded her.

She shrugged.

He continued and said he'd done some exploring. He thought Percy might like to know that Daedalus got his punishment.

"Was it bad?" Frank asked.

Nico held up a hand and pointed in front of him in reply.

Percy asked if he saw him. Nico nodded. He said that Minos had wanted to boil him in cheese fondue for eternity but his father had other ideas. Daedalus would be building overpasses and exit ramps in Asphodel for all time which would ease the traffic congestion. He thought the old guy was happy with that. He was still building and creating and he got to see his son and Perdix on the weekends.

"That sounds like a good afterlife," Magnus said. "I mean Valhalla is pretty good but that's a little more justified."

"No afterlife is completely," Walt explained. "But this was a just punishment and ruling."

"The rules are the rules," Nico agreed. "No matter how much we hate them at times."

"Save it for a few days," Percy reminded him looking at Hazel.

Nico glanced sideways at Walt and Sam. "Don't remind me."

"That judgment might make him happier than he was alive," Rachel smiled sadly.

"Still don't think he deserves anything like that," Clarisse grumbled. Chris rubbed her arm soothingly and she uncrossed her arms but still glowered at the scene in front of her.

Percy said that was good. Nico tapped his ring and said that wasn't the real reason he came. He'd found out something. He wanted to make an offer.

"An offer?" Carter asked skeptically.

"What offer?" Walt asked frowning as Anubis stirred in him hoping the balance of life and death hadn't been messed with.

"Nothing like another soul for a soul thing," Nico promised.

"Just please don't do anything stupid," Piper said looking at both boys.

They exchanged glances. "Too late for that."

Percy asked what? Nico said a way to beat Luke. If he was right it was the only way he'd stand a chance.

Everyone turned to Nico.

"Are you serious? You found a way to beat him?" Frank asked.

"It was a little insane," Percy answered. "But Nico found it. And it helped. A lot."

"A little insane?" Grover asked them both wide eyes. "Just a little?"

"Possibly a lot more," Percy agreed.

"No," Nico interrupted. "It's probably one of the craziest things both you and I have done. I mean, until Rome."

"That doesn't sound good," Hazel squeaked.

"We're both fine. And Nico was never in danger," Percy promised.

"No. I just put you into a lot of it."

Percy inhaled and said okay. He was listening. Nico looked into his room and furrowed his eyebrows and asked if that was a blue birthday cake.

"Ugh," Magnus grimaced. "If you're confused about the color then join the club."

"It was one thing I was confused about," Nico said. "It was really good though."

Will frowned. "How long was it since you had last eaten?"

"A day."

Will raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe two or three."

"Please tell me you fed him," Will asked Percy.

"He stayed for longer than he wanted too. Mom wouldn't let him go," Percy grinned.

Will nodded in approval.

Percy looked at him concerned and said to come inside for some cake and ice cream. It sounded like they had a lot to talk about.

"Want to tell us what it is you needed to talk about?" Jason asked again.

"No. Not really."

"Nothing?" Hazel asked worriedly.

"It ended up okay."

Hazel and Jason exchanged glances neither looking reassured.

Percy climbed back in through the window and after a moment of hesitation Nico followed. He stopped again when he saw Percy open the door. His eyes widened and he whisper shouted to Percy, "What are you doing?"

"Paranoid much?" Will teased.

"I had a right to be."

"Not like that you didn't."

Percy laughed. "I'm not just letting you eat the cake. At least not until you come out and meet my mom and Paul. Tyson's still here too."

"Paul?"

"Mom's boyfriend," Percy explained. "Come on Nico. Just for a little ice cream and cake."

"We all know it's going to end up being a lot more than that," snorted Grover. "Once Percy and Sally have you it's not so easy to get away."

"That doesn't sound like what you meant it too," Annabeth grimaced.

"Sorry."

Nico took another second and sighed. "Fine. Ice cream and cake then we talk."

"So we do get to see what you talk about," Jason said bouncing excitedly.

"Sure bro, whatever makes you happy," Percy shrugged.

Percy exited his room and Nico followed with his head down, though his eyes darted around curiously as he dragged his feet slowly behind Percy. "Hey, Mom. Do we have leftovers from dinner?"

"You can't still be hungry," Sally's voice answered as they walked in. Then her eyes widened when she saw Nico and her lips thinned into a frown.

"Here comes the mom part," Thalia muttered. "Always tries to check me over and overfeed me too."

"Like you don't do that too?" Annabeth asked her. "You always go pretty insane when any of us get a little hurt."

"Not all of you."

"Fine. Not Percy most the time. But when I was younger it happened a lot."

Jason winced. "She's pretty overprotective."

"Both of you stop it," Thalia said with an eye roll. "And I was probably wrong before. The reason Sally has to be frowning is that she's sick of feeding Percy's monster of a stomach."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Once again, such a hypocrite."

"I'm nowhere near as bad as you."

"You ate one less burger than me when we had that last contest."

"Only because you didn't count several."

"Argue about your animal eating later," Grover bleated at both of them.

Both huffed. "Fine."

Nico took a step back. Percy turned and wrapped an arm around Nico's shoulder pulling him forward. "I had another unexpected guest. Mom, you've never met Nico but he's my cousin."

"Did she know about him?" asked Apollo frowning. None of the gods had known anything about the son of Hades' existence.

"Of course. I tell my mom everything."

"Almost everything," Annabeth corrected him.

"Whatever doesn't scare her too much," Percy agreed. "But I told her about Nico and Bianca."

"Aunt Sally was the best help I had with any of that," Nico smiled slightly. "She's such a great listener."

Pauls' eyes widened. "Wait, how did he get here? Don't say the fire escape again."

Nico turned to Percy and mouthed 'Fire escape?'

'He's mortal. And later,' Percy mouthed back before turning to Paul. "Yeah actually. It's kind of a joke on Dad's side of the family. I know it's weird but it's a thing."

"Wait," frowned Carter. "He actually believed that?"

"It's not the worst explanation," Magnus frowned.

"I do have some," Percy shrugged.

"Rarely," Annabeth scoffed. "And it's not so great. The mist made sure it worked."

"Just barely," Nico added.

"Okay," Paul said slowly but didn't argue.

"Nico, this is my mom and her boyfriend, Paul. And you already know Tyson."

"Hi," Nico greeted.

"Don't just stand there," Sally smiled warmly. "Let me get you some food. Tyson just bankrupted me."

"Bankrupted you?"

"You didn't know monopoly?"

"I'd heard of it," Nico responded at Leo's incredulous question. "It was invented when we entered the Lotus casino. And they even had games based on it there. I just really didn't know a lot about it or the rules."

"It's a game," Percy explained quickly.

Sally interrupted. "Percy, do you mind helping me? Maybe Nico can help Paul beat Tyson."

"At what?" Nico asked curiously. Percy smiled slightly as a small part of the child Nico used to be reappear.

"Just don't let him get to hyper," Thalia warned. "You know when he starts with questions he doesn't stop."

"I'm not ten anymore."

"Not everything changed," Thalia pointed out.

"That's an epic understatement."

"Monopoly," Paul replied. "Tyson has been wiping the board with all of us."

"Sure," Nico shrugged sitting down as Tyson clapped with a loud cheer.

"Question," interrupted Alex. His eyes were twinkling. "Cause your father is the god of riches does that give you a huge advantage?"

"No," Nico said.

"Really?"

"It's not real money. Or gold or gems."

"Are you sure?"

"I said no."

"So, you're Percy's cousin?" Paul asked as Percy and Sally disappeared.

"Not technically," Thalia said cocking her head. "No DNA at all. I think Percy's the one who started referring to us like family."

"We are though," Jason pointed out.

"Yeah. But then the Demeter kids should be too but we don't include them in our cousins, do we?" Nico asked.

"It's a big three kid thing then," Thalia shrugged.

"What it is," Percy interrupted sternly, "is us being a family because we have no other. Because we needed other people to understand and rely on and just be there for us. You're my cousins because we're not like the other campers or cabins. We're separate so we need to stay together. Does that make sense?"

All the big three kids made various sounds of agreements, some even slightly skeptical but Percy seemed to easily understand what all of them thought.

"You could say that," Nico shrugged. "Our fathers are brothers but I only met him last year."

"Oh. I just met Percy's father tonight," Paul grimaced. "He came to say happy birthday. Funny, even though you're not all very close that you still have private jokes like using a fire escape."

"Yeah," Nico agreed carefully though he looked slightly alarmed. "Funny."

Tyson picked up the dye to roll again but was startled into throwing them up and away when Nico suddenly jolted looking from the board to Paul to Tyson. "Wait, Poseidon was here?"

Laughter erupted around the room at Tyson's startled expression. Tyson blushed but smiled as he remembered something. "I rolled and bought another Hotel."

"And won," Nico agreed. "Easily."

The scene changed into the kitchen with Sally and Percy. Sally had busied herself with the food. "This is the boy you mentioned before. The one that's sister was on the quest with you last winter."

"Yeah," Percy agreed.

"You didn't mention he was your cousin," Sally frowned. "And I don't believe Thalia has a brother so he must be your other Uncle's son."

"She was wrong there," Piper said.

"None of us knew about Jason," Percy said looking around. "Right?"

"Aunt Sally did," Thalia admitted.

"She just said she didn't."

"Not then but eventually," Thalia said. "I told her when I had a hard time. I think it was on the anniversary of when Hera took Jason away. Something like that. But as Nico said, Aunt Sally is the best to talk too."

"I was trying to keep him safe. He's the next most likely after me to be the subject of the prophecy," Percy explained with a sad look. "I can't let that happen, mom. He's been through too much."

"So have you."

"So have you."

"Seriously?" asked Rachel when she heard Sally's reply. "But if Sally agrees it means I was right."

"You weren't."

"Sure."

Percy sighed. "Maybe. It's a long story and I'll tell you later but he won't stay at camp. He doesn't think they like him there."

"They didn't," Nico said simply.

Will glared at him. "Don't—"

"You don't—"

"How about both of you give up on this pointless argument?" Clarisse growled.

"How old is he? He shouldn't be out there all alone," Sally said piling more food onto a plate.

"He's just eleven, maybe twelve. But that's how it is with demigods," Percy said sadly. "Even if it shouldn't have to be."

"I think you're one of the only ones, at least one of the only powerful ones that never had it like that," Annabeth noted.

"I'm lucky."

"With your mom yes," agreed Grover. "With everything else, no."

"Well, let's give him some food and make sure he knows he has a place to stay," Sally said as she patted Percy's shoulder.

"It's like that for every demigod," Percy promised. "Or any of you. Our house is a safe house."

"Even we ended up there once or twice," Chris agreed gesturing between him and Clarisse.

"We had a lot of demigods there right after the war, even in between it. Sally just made it open for all of us," Will nodded.

"Mom is the best," Percy said wistfully.

Percy grinned back. "I promised cake and ice cream too."

"And we have plenty left if you don't eat it all yourself," Sally replied.

"Because he will eat all," agreed Leo looking slightly traumatized. "Along with everything else."

"It happened once."

"More than once. And it was the Fonzies the last time. The fonzies!"

"They weren't that good."

"Sacrilege."

"Saying blue food isn't good is sacrilege. Fonzies are just a rip off Italian snack food," Percy said. Leo glared at him and muttered angrily.

She walked back in and Percy followed. Nico was asking Paul and Tyson a question about the game. Tyson was collecting some more money. Percy looked down at the board and the money in front of the two players. "How long until Paul goes bankrupt?"

"I'm not going bankrupt," Paul argued.

"Two more turns," Nico replied at the same time.

"I thought you were helping me."

"You're beyond help," Nico said simply.

"You're so nice," Will laughed.

"I was."

"Eh."

"I am."

"Not really."

"I can be."

"Sometimes."

"Stop," Thalia groaned. "G-ds Nico. Even you have to join in the grossness? You used to help me stop Percy and Annabeth."

"Shut it."

"Because I am winning," Tyson smiled taking more money as Percy cracked up behind him.

"Tyson is smart," Ella praised. "A good manager and banker. He always wins."

Meanwhile, everyone else was holding back giggles or chuckles at Tyson's winning attitude as he played with Paul in the scene in front of them.

Paul just sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "I'm never playing this game with you again."

"Why?" Tyson asked sadly.

Paul stopped looking for an answer and looked around nervously until Sally interrupted. "Nico, the food's here for whenever you're ready."

Nico stood up and walked over, looking at the piled plate of food nervously. "Thank you, Mrs. Jackson. You didn't have too."

"It wasn't any trouble," Sally soothed. "And no Mrs. Jackson from you. Call me Sally."

Nico nodded and sat down.

"You nodded but you didn't do it."

"Because unlike you I respect my elders."

"I respect my elders when they deserve it."

Percy pulled the piece of cake that was still there over and started to eat it. The other boy looked at Percy strangely as he shoveled the cake into his mouth. Nico had just taken a few bites.

"What?"

"I just don't understand the blue food."

"It's a family tradition," Sally answered.

"And it tastes so much better that way," Percy added.

"No way," Nico said skeptically.

"Wait until you try the cake and ice cream," Percy argued.

"Dinner first."

Nico listened to Sally and started to eat. His food was gone almost as fast as Percy's cake.

"It's not the color. It's Sally's cooking."

"I want Mom's food. I mean this tastes like it but it's still not the same," Percy sighed.

"I think we're almost done with all of this," Thalia frowned. "After we all eat with Aunt Sally."

"How about just a few of us. We'll save all of us until she has a little warning and finally has the baby and time to adjust to it," Annabeth said quickly.

"But you're all coming at some point," Percy insisted.

"Looking forward to it," Jason grinned.

Nico only paused when Sally asked him questions. The talk was awkward at first and Nico's answers were quiet and short. But as Sally pressed on the words became more sure, the answers were longer and louder.

"So where have you been since you left camp?"

"Here and there," Nico shrugged. "Sometime in LA and near the West Coast. I went back to DC and Maine too. I ended up in China a few times as well."

"China?" Percy and Sally both asked surprised.

"Why were you in China?" Frank asked.

"Mistake," Nico shrugged. "It happened enough I had to learn a few words in Mandarin though."

"Really?"

Nico nodded as Frank looked like he was filing that information for later.

"Just a quick stop."

Neither Jackson had more time to question because behind them Paul let out a loud groan of defeat as Tyson cheered. "I won!"

"Yeah," Percy said walking back over and looking at the board. "Looks like you did. Good job, bro."

Paul sighed. "Yeah. Nice game Tyson. It was nice to meet you. That goes for you as well Nico."

"Um.. thanks."

"We really need to work more on your social skills," Will decided.

"They're fine."

"They really aren't," Jason interrupted.

Nico stuck out his tongue at him for a second as if to prove his boyfriend and cousin's point.

"It's getting late," Paul noted. "Sally, is there anything I can do to help you clean up? I'm sorry I have to leave but I can try and stay a little longer as long as I get enough sleep before my meeting tomorrow."

"Not at all Paul," Sally smiled at him. "Thank you for coming. Get home and get some sleep. You need to recover from that defeat after all."

Paul nodded with a chuckle and hugged Sally kissing her cheek before walking to the door.

"They're a cute couple," Magnus noted.

Percy wrinkled his nose. "Don't like to think about that. Paul's a great dad though. And he treats her right."

"Unlike the first scumbag," Thalia growled.

Paul turned for a second and looked at Percy. "Happy birthday. We'll talk more about that other thing soon. I'm sure we'll have a lot more time to do it."

"What other thing?" Sally asked suspiciously.

"Driving lessons," Percy said loudly. "That's what he meant."

"You really suck at lying," Alex lamented again.

"To mom," Percy corrected. "I suck at lying to my mom."

"And to everyone else."

"I used too. Not so much anymore."

"It depends," Annabeth argued. "There are times he's pretty horrible at it. There are other times I can't even tell."

Sally smiled. "It's nice to know my boys are bonding."

Percy groaned. "Mom."

Paul smiled. "Goodnight Sally. If it's okay maybe I'll be back tomorrow? And I'll do dinner this time."

"Sounds like a plan."

Paul walked out and Sally looked around at the three boys before her eyes landed on Nico's empty plate. "Would you like more?"

"No thanks."

"What about some cake then? And ice cream? Do you want any more Tyson?"

"Yes."

"Um…I guess."

"Yeah," Piper said again. "I'm helping with those social skills."

"I have them."

"No one has any here," Sadie said with an eye roll. "Except most of us girls. And maybe Percy sometimes."

"Thanks. I think?"

Sally turned back into the kitchen leaving them alone. Nico looked up at Percy. "Your mom is really nice."

"She's the best. And believe me, she's holding back right now. I warned her but otherwise, she'd be doting on you at every second and stuffing you even more, basically until you throw up. Not to mention the hugs."

Nico's eyes seemed to widen in terror.

"Really?" Walt asked him. "Hugs?"

"I don't like being touched."

"You don't seem to have an issue now," Walt gestured to Will's arm around Nico.

"I don't like it," Nico said again.

"Uh-huh."

Percy laughed. "No need to freak out. Mom gets it. And she knows everything. Except who your dad is. I didn't tell anyone except Annabeth and Grover."

"And me," Tyson interrupted.

"And Tyson."

"Everyone knows now anyway," Nico shrugged.

"I wouldn't be so happy about that," Thalia reminded him.

"Did that sound like I was happy?"

"I couldn't tell. I mean, you always sound so cheerful it's hard to tell when you're actually not."

"Not that it matters."

"Prophecy," Tyson reminded them.

"Why don't we hold that talk off?" Sally asked as she put cake and ice cream in front of Nico and Tyson. "Tonight's a celebration. Now, why don't you all actually tell me everything now that Paul's gone? Including about whatever it is your father said."

"Your dad was here," Nico noted in surprise. "And I'm guessing he didn't really leave by fire escape."

"Just like you didn't climb onto ours. You'll have to explain that too," Percy replied. "I mean, did you appear out of the dark—"

Tyson burped and wiped the last of the blue frosting off his mouth. Everyone looked surprised for a second then started to laugh. Even Nico gave a little chuckle.

In the present everyone started to laugh, mirroring the scene in front of them as the room filled with various sounds of amusement.

"Shadow travel?" Reyna asked when the room had calmed a little.

"Yeah."

"I just didn't know that it existed yet," Percy agreed. "But Nico was using it."

Sally took the plate away with a smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed so much Tyson."

"It was yummy."

"Good. Now an actual explanation," Sally said sitting back down and looking around between the boys.

The scene skipped and changed to Tyson handing something to Percy.

"You didn't miss anything," Percy assured.

"It was just him telling Aunt Sally about the quest," Nico nodded.

"What did Tyson give you?"

"My camp necklace," Percy said. "I took it off earlier and we thought about putting it on my necklace. Tyson managed to string it on.

"So he wouldn't lose Daddy's present."

"What do you even use that for?" asked Carter.

Percy shrugged.

"Any idea what it's for?" Nico asked.

Carter sighed. "At least Percy didn't say it."

"Soon."

"I've already had more dares and truths than anyone else here," Carter murmured to his sister.

"And you'll have even more."

"No clue."

"He was right about Luke though," Nico frowned. "We really need to talk."

Sally held up a finger. "You can both talk later. It's too late now. Right now Tyson has to go and the both of you need to get some sleep."

Nico shifted nervously. "This is too important. I'm sorry Mrs. Jackson—"

"Sally," she reminded him sternly and her gaze turned back to Tyson. "Tyson, do you have an easy way to get back?"

"It's New York at night," Walt stated with a nervous look. "Even for a Cyclops that can't be safe. And don't you live in the ocean? How do you get there this late?"

"Usually he'd sleepover," Percy answered. "But Tyson needed to get back for work."

"Pegasus is waiting to take me to ocean. Then I go to the forges," Tyson answered. "Thank you for the yummy food and the games."

"Of course sweetie. Come back anytime."

Tyson happily accepted a hug before squeezing a slightly frightened Nico and smothering Percy in a giant bear grip. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks, Tyson. I'm glad you could come."

"I will see you again soon," Tyson assured. "We will practice more and we will both play with Mrs. O'Leary at camp. I will have something new for you. I am making something again for your birthday."

"We really need to exchange more designs," Leo said rubbing his hands together excitedly.

"Like your boat?"

"And a few of your chariot designs. And that shield. And—"

"Talk forging later," Frank advised. "I just don't understand. Are we going to see you talk or not?"

"I doubt it. Mom managed to stop us any time Nico tried." Percy laughed as he explained. "I mean she needed to make sure he was eating and sleeping and that he was okay and every other thing a mom does."

"Good," Will decided.

"Does that make you my mom then?"

"No. Just your caring boyfriend."

"You don't have to."

"You're my brother."

"Get back safe. And go easy on Porkpie," Percy called as Tyson let go and left through the door.

"He was one of the pegasi from before, right?" Hazel asked.

"The only one that will carry Tyson," Percy agreed.

"Not all the flying ponies like me," Tyson nodded sadly. "But Porkpie helps me."

"Percy, why don't you go set up the air mattress in your room for Nico."

"Awesome," Percy grinned as he walked off.

Nico's face donned the opposite expression and his mouth thinned. "Um… I really can't stay."

"Nonsense."

"I agree," Hazel said pointedly. "You're staying."

"This already happened," Nico told her.

"But you still won't take care of yourself and if Percy's mom takes care of you I don't have to worry."

"You don't have to worry. I can take care of myself."

"No," Percy said. "You really can't."

Jason, Thalia, Will, Hazel, Reyna, and several others made noises of agreement.

"Nice to know you all believe in me."

"We believe in you but we know you enough to know that you won't do what you need for yourself," Jason pointed out.

"Whatever."

"I have a lot to do and I just really need to talk to Percy."

"What's a lot to do?" asked Thalia. "I just remember you showing up half asleep or complaining about your stepmother."

"I already said," Nico reminded her with an eye roll. "I was looking into my past and more about what was happening."

"And how well did that work out?"

"Pretty well actually."

"And you will in the morning," Sally responded. "For tonight you're getting a good night's sleep in an actual bed and then you'll get a real breakfast in the morning as well."

"You better be staying there for all of that," Will said.

"Don't you all get that this already happened?" asked Nico with a sigh. "And it's not like I could stop Sally if I tried."

"You would get along," Grover told the son of Apollo.

"I really need to meet her."

"You'll come along with Nico next time he visits."

"Looking forward to it."

"But—"

"No buts. You're Percy's cousin. That means your part of his family. Part of our family. He cares about you and from what he's said he's worried and I am too. We both just want to make sure you're okay Nico. It'll only be one night but whenever you need; you have a home here. Promise me you'll remember that."

Nico stayed silent for a second slightly surprised. "Yeah. I will."

Nico winced. "I wasn't the best with that."

"You had your reasons."

"Not great ones."

"You needed time."

Percy wandered back in and grinned. "Come on. I'll show you where you can brush your teeth and shower. You could probably use one. And I have some PJs you can use too."

Nico nodded.

Percy looked at Sally and gave her a huge hug. He was around her height now and she embraced him back tightly. He leaned into her shoulder. "Thanks, mom. It was an awesome birthday. The best ever."

Sally hugged him back tightly. Tears dripped from her eyes as she stroked his hair. "And we'll make next years even better."

"Yeah," Percy choked. "Okay."

He and Nico disappeared down the hallway and the scene collapsed.

"She knew about the prophecy," Chris noted.

"She knew everything," Percy shrugged. "She always has."

"Mostly everything," Annabeth corrected him. "Percy tries to protect her as much as she tries to protect him."

"That's what's family is supposed to do," Percy answered simply.

"When did you and Nico actually end up talking?"

"Sometime the next day," Percy said. "But Mom managed to make him stay for three whole days."

"Three nights," Nico corrected. "And you try and refuse Aunt Sally."

"I have," Percy replied. "And you managed to refuse her when she told you to stop calling her Mrs. Jackson. It took until the third day for you to call her just Sally."

"Where'd you guys start the Aunt Sally thing?" Will asked looking between his boyfriend and Thalia.

I don't know about Nico. I went with Percy for a few days after camp when I woke up. Sally helped me adjust, get clothes I needed and get used to being a fifteen-year-old instead of a twelve-year-old. She told me one time I could consider her my Aunt because after all, Percy was my cousin. I didn't take her up on it until I joined the hunters and stopped being so mean to Percy."

"You're still mean to me," pointed out Percy.

Thalia stuck out his tongue in reply.

"So when did Nico start it?"

"I stayed at Percy's at the same time as Thalia for a few days. I think it was around the time of Sally's wedding. Anyway, I heard Thalia call her Aunt Sally and I asked her after the war if it was okay if I did it too. I wanted to make sure Percy didn't die because of me first though."

"What does that mean?" Hazel asked alarmed.

"Nothing fun," Percy grimaced.