"Are you sure you can survive without me?" Reyna teased as she wrapped Nico in a tight hug, one that he also returned. Reyna smiled and felt her dogs rubbing against her legs. They were by her side at every moment of the day ever since she got them. She couldn't be happier.
"It's going to be great to not have you eat all the food," Nico teased back. Reyna flicked the back of his head. "Ow!"
"Don't do anything disgusting in here," Reyna warned as Nico pulled away. "If you do, disinfect the room."
Nico stuck his tongue out. Reyna smirked and gently picked up her two dogs, one in each arm. She kissed both of them and smiled as they licked her. Nico spoke, "I'll take good care of them."
"I want pictures every day," Reyna said. She placed them back on the ground and grabbed her suitcase. Reyna had enough clothes to last a week, toiletries, her phone charger, and a few other items. Nico helped her pack and even helped her pick out a few outfits. While she and Annabeth were only fake dating, Reyna wanted to look nice.
"Every day. Seriously. Or else," Reyna warned. Nico smirked but nodded. Reyna heard her phone ring and grabbed it to answer the call. "Hey, Hylla."
"Hey, Reyna. I saw the pictures, and Kinzie wants to meet your dogs. When are you bringing them over?" Hylla asked. There was soft music playing in the background. Reyna could hear Spanish, but not enough to make it out.
"Well, I'm going out of town," Reyna answered. "So, not for another week."
"Wait," Hylla said. "Will you be back in time for Christmas?"
"Christmas," Reyna repeated, and her eyes widened. "I...I don't think so."
"Okay," Hylla replied, but there was clear anger in her tone. "I'll talk to you later."
"Hylla, wait. I'm sorry," Reyna said quickly. She looked down and rubbed her forehead. "I wasn't even thinking. I'm sorry."
Reyna let out a string of curses and pressed her fingers harder into her forehead. The truth was that Reyna forgot what it was like to have family obligations for Christmas. It had just been Reyna for years. Lupa always spent Christmas with her mother. Octavian and Gwen had their own family dinners to go to.
Reyna and Nico, if Nico didn't have dinner with his extended family, usually went to a restaurant before Christmas and got enough for leftovers. Or, Nico would make them something. The fact that Hylla expected her sister to be there for Christmas just didn't occur to Reyna.
If Reyna had thought of it, she never would have offered to go with Annabeth. Reyna slowly spoke, "I feel terrible, Hylla. I didn't even think that you would want to spend Christmas with me."
"I can cancel my plans," Reyna began.
"It's fine," Hylla muttered.
"Hylla, I know you too well to know that it's not fine. I'll cancel my plans with Annabeth and spend Christmas with you," Reyna said. Hylla let out a deep sigh.
"No. Don't do that. I just... miss you, Reyna. Promise me we'll have a make up dinner," Hylla said quietly.
"We will. When we get back, I'll take you and Kinzie wherever you two want," Reyna swore. "And, we'll spend every Christmas after this one with each other. I promise."
"I love you," Hylla said, and Reyna could almost see the small smile on her sister's face.
"I love you too," Reyna returned. She opened her mouth to ask about the company but then quickly shut her mouth. There was no need to bring up that old argument. "I'll text you when the plane lands."
Reyna waited for her sister to hang up, and she placed her phone down. It wasn't even fully lowered before her phone buzzed again. Reyna glanced at the text from Annabeth and then looked at Nico, "Annabeth's here. I should go."
"Be safe," Nico said. He hugged Reyna again, and she hugged him back. "I'm going to invite my date over in a few days."
"If I'm back home early, I'll text you," Reyna promised. She knew that Nico was warning her that things might get hot and heavy. The last thing either of them wanted was for Reyna to walk in on Nico and his date.
Nico wasn't even comfortable with Reyna being in the apartment when he was with one of his boyfriends. Reyna did everything she could to be away when he had a date come over, and it worked rather well for them.
"Thanks," Nico said as he picked up Aurum and Argentum. Reyna kissed her dogs on the forehead one more time before she grabbed her suitcase and walked towards the front door. Reyna slipped on her jacket and a winter coat. She grabbed a hat and put it on followed by her gloves.
"Oh, Nico. Use protection," Reyna teased. She laughed as Nico threw a dog treat at her. "I'll see you later."
"See you," Nico said as he waved his hand. Reyna stepped outside of her apartment and saw Annabeth's car at the curb. Reyna walked towards the car, and the trunk popped open. After placing her suitcase in the back and closing the trunk, Reyna sat in the passenger's seat.
"Hey," Reyna greeted. She buckled the seat belt and looked at Annabeth. Her fellow fighter was staring down at her phone and biting her lip.
"Oh, hey," Annabeth greeted back. She slowly looked up. "Sorry. Just distracted today."
"Nervous?" Reyna asked. She glanced at the sky, as it looked ready to storm. Reyna just wasn't sure if it was going to rain or snow.
"I am," Annabeth admitted. She looked down and sighed. "Honestly, half of the reason I take Percy with me is to shove something into my father's face. The other half is because I just need someone there to help me face my family."
"I hope I can be as much support as Percy was," Reyna said. Annabeth looked at her gratefully. "If my father was still alive, I don't know if I could face him alone."
"You have friends who would help you," Annabeth said softly. She grabbed Reyna's hand gently. "Just like you're helping me."
A blush came to Reyna's face, but she didn't retract her hand. Annabeth was the first to move, and she started to drive. Annabeth spoke, "We'll get to our flight an hour early. Have you eaten yet?"
"I have," Reyna answered. "About an hour ago."
"I ate too, so we'll get food after our flight. Which I will pay for," Annabeth said. Reyna gave her a look and raised an eyebrow.
"You're making me look like such a bad date," Reyna joked. "And, I just signed a nice, new contract. How else am I supposed to spend it if I'm not using it on a beautiful lady?"
Annabeth blushed this time, and Reyna smirked. She settled in the passenger's seat and looked at her phone as Annabeth focused on driving. They didn't make any conversation, but it wasn't awkward. It was relaxing.
Sitting in silence and having it be comforting wasn't something that Reyna experienced often. She was able to be with Nico and not have to say a word, but the two knew everything about each other. Anytime Reyna was alone with Hylla, the silence was suffocating. There had to be words to keep the two from remembering past tensions. Even with Frank and Hazel, things felt off when it was quiet. Not with Annabeth, though. And, Reyna wasn't sure why.
Reyna had the entire ride to think it over, as Annabeth kept her gaze and focus on the road. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, but Reyna knew Annabeth well enough now to know that she wasn't going to take any chances with not focusing and hitting a patch of unexpected ice.
Reyna didn't particularly like driving in winter, but she had managed to avoid hitting any ice when she drove. If she ever did hit ice, she just hoped that she could steady the car before she hit something. In comparison, Annabeth drove like she was a pro.
A buzz caused Reyna to look down, and she smiled as she saw a picture of Nico and her two dogs. The text brought a wider grin to her face: they miss you already.
"What has you so happy?" Annabeth asked as she pulled into the parking lot for the airport.
"My dogs," Reyna answered. She waited for Annabeth to park the car before showing her the picture. "They're so cute. I still can't believe Lupa gave them to me."
"I can't believe everyone got sidetracked for two hours just to cuddle with the dogs. When Lupa let her dogs in, I didn't think Percy was going to let go of the smallest one," Annabeth said. Reyna nodded her agreement and pocketed her phone. She got out of the car.
"Thalia told me to treat you well," Annabeth said. Reyna smirked as she grabbed their suitcases. "I told her that I would do my best. She then started to tell me where to kiss you, and I hung up."
A blush came to Reyna's face, and Annabeth laughed. Reyna smiled upon hearing the sound. There was just something about that laugh. Annabeth grabbed her suitcase from Reyna and a backpack out of the car. She spoke, "I hope you don't mind, but I downloaded some of the footage of Leila's fights on my laptop, so I can study while we wait. Do you mind helping?"
"Do you know how to take a break?" Reyna asked with a raised eyebrow. Annabeth shrugged. "Alright. Fine. You're buying me hot chocolate, though. The expensive kind."
"Keep helping me with this fight, and I'll buy you all the hot chocolate in the world," Annabeth replied. Reyna smirked and followed behind her fellow fighter. Normally, she would be slightly annoyed by all of Annabeth's questions because that woman was damn thorough, but today, she didn't mind it so much. She didn't really mind it since they spent the night together at the gym and got drunk together, and she wasn't sure why.