That night, when Percy didn't come down for dinner Nico came looking for him. Nico stood awkwardly in the doorway, Percy had obviously been sleeping and felt awkward having woken him up.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly. "I heard shouting earlier. Was it Annabeth."

"Yeah." Percy rubbed his eyes and stood up from the bed. "I.. I think we're over."

Nico's heart suddenly lifted, doing a flick-flack in his chest. But he tried to ,ask the feeling on his face. "I'm… I'm sorry. This.. is all my fault."

Percy walked over and laid a hand on Nico's shoulder. "No. It's not. You just did what was right."

Nico said nothing. Then much to Percy's surprise he ducked away from Percy's hand but instead of retreating back he stepped forward and hugged Percy tightly. Percy tensed at first, but then hugged him back.

For the next week Percy heard little news from the living world, he trudged round the underworld, steering clear from Tartarus and learnt much about the reverse Olympus. He never saw Hades once, although he wanted to, but spent much time with Nico. The tension and awkwardness between them had disappeared, Nico was still withdrawn and quiet, but didn't seem as much mysterious to Percy anymore. They met down at breakfast each morning and would then head out, Nico taking Percy somewhere new and exciting each day. Percy still longed for his old life and waited for Chiron to help him escape, but the weighted lead in his chest seemed to lessen a bit every minute he spent having, what would pass in the underworld as, fun.

Exactly one week after Annabeth leaving, Percy got summoned to Hades' throne room. He entered feeling slightly nervous and approached the god. He was lounging on the throne apparently waiting.

"Lord." Percy said and bowed awkwardly, obedience to the spiteful god never came easily.

Hades studied Percy then said. "I need another… favour from you."

Percy wanted to retort back, but bit his tongue.

"There is a few hellhounds that have gotten lose on one of the unopened sub-sections of the Fields of Asphodel. They are still young and obedient so I doubt they would listen willingly to me. I could easily do it myself, but apparently you are stuck here forever, so I thought you might want a bit of exercise and…. thrill."

Percy chewed on the inside of his cheek. "Thank you." He said, and then hurried out the chamber before Hades could say more.

The next morning Nico was already waiting for Percy in the eating hall.

"Morning." Percy mumbled.

"Off to fight some hellhounds?" Nico asked. Expressionless as usual.

"If you're up to it." Percy said and grabbed a piece of toast.

"Sure. Let's go now." Nico said, so Percy and him headed out.

They trekked through the Fields of Asphodel, Nico holding his sword out in front of him and the dead parting easily.

"Nico?" Percy asked. "Why is Hades letting me stay in Eberus. I mean, it's been a week, I thought he would have kicked me out by now."

Nico was silent. Then said slowly. "Umm. I asked him to." Percy waited for him say more, but Nico stayed silent. Percy thought it over as they walked. Soon they had passed through three metal gates and the dead crowd dispersed then stopped all together. They trooped over two more hills before the first hellhound came into sight.

"What are we meant to do with them? Shove them back into Tartarus." Percy asked, unenthusiastic about the idea.

"No." Nico confirmed, which made Percy happy. "There's a cave up there that a lot of hellhounds go. Like a den." Nico explained pointing up to a cliff that rose not so far in the distance. "We lead them up and back into it."

"Okay." Percy nodded and uncapped Riptide. "Let's go kick some hellhound butt."