Chapter XXII NICO

Nico and Calypso were in her garden, working in silence. Calypso looked at Nico and he smiled nervously. They both reached for the same plant at the same time and their hands bumped together. Nico drew back as if she'd burned him and Calypso stifled a smile. She sat back on her heels and said,

"Nico, I take it that you are familiar with my story."

Nico nodded non-commitedly, eyes on the plants.

"And you know that you could stay here, if you wanted to."

Nico sighed and knelt to look Calypso in the eye.

"I can't, Calypso. My friends need me. I have to guide them to the Doors of Death."

Calypso bit her lip in distress and then looked down, nodding firmly.

"Of course you do."

She stood up, dusting off her hands.

"And the sooner, the better. I have detained you here for too long."

Calypso gathered Nico's few possessions and presented them to him in a neat pack. He slung it across his back and she nodded, hugging him.

"Good bye, dear one." she said, brown eyes swimming with tears.

Nico had never felt worse then he did at that moment, watching this girl suffer heart break for about the millionth time. But there was nothing he could do. He had to go. He tried to convince himself that it was the right thing; that she'd quickly get over him and he would forget all about her.

But of course he wouldn't. She was so kind to him, never questioning about his life or what being a son of Hades was like. Nico felt entirely comfortable around Calypso; which was something he hadn't truly felt with anyone else since Bianca died. So as he pulled back from the hug, his own cheeks were wet with tears. Because he'd never see her again.

Calypso smiled brokenheartedly and tenderly wiped his eyes.

"There you go." she whispered.

Calypso stood up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss on Nico's forehead. She nodded firmly.

"You should be going."

Nico turned and walked to the shoreline. He prepared to shadow travel away but then whirled back around, striding toward Calypso.

"I forgot something."

"What?" Calypso asked.

"This." he said, grabbing her shoulders and kissing her forcefully.

Nico spent most of his teenaged years among the dead. He wasn't comfortable around girls, typically. So, you can only imagine how nervous he felt kissing one. Calypso stiffened in shock at first but then relaxed, leaning into the kiss. They made eye contact and Nico flushed bright red.

"Well, that was idiotic."

"Why?" Calypso asked, sounding hurt.

"Was I a bad kisser or something-"

"No! Well, I don't have any experience, but definitely not! It's just- that made it even harder to leave now!"

Calypso wasn't paying attention to him; she was staring over his shoulder at something behind him. Nico turned around quickly and saw Hestia standing on the shoreline.

"Hestia!" he said with relief.

"Hello Nico." she said.

Hestia then turned to Calypso.

"You are Calypso, I assume?"

She nodded and Hestia extended a hand over her.

"I, Hestia, the Greek goddess of the hearth and home, release Calypso from this island. The Olympians have discussed this matter and we feel that this exile should be put to an end. You are free."

Calypso squealed with excitement, ran towards Hestia, and flung her arms around her.

"THANK YOU!" she cried.

Nico saw a pained look cross over Hestia's face as Calypso hugged her. He had no idea what that was about, but he decided to leave it for another time.

Calypso ran back to Nico and took his hand, laughing giddily.

"Well, you're free now." Nico said with a smile.

"Where are you going to go first?"

"With you, silly."

*Did you guys like the chapter? Was it too cliche? i thought so...*