The next day Nico was sitting in the Amphitheater trying to figure out how to play Cupid when he could barely stand the guy. The campfire was a mopey blue color that he supposed he was responsible for but he couldn't help it. He wasn't in the best mood. Talking to Silena made him think –just for a second—that maybe Jason was right and people wouldn't push him away. It did feel good to have someone to talk to, someone who understood. Then he remembered that there was no Silena in his time. If she were there maybe he would feel better about admitting the truth. With her and Jason, he would have enough courage to tell Hazel at least.

He stared into the campfire and it started to change color. It turned a warm red before flaring up and making him jump back in his seat. When the fire calmed down, Lady Hestia was sitting there tending it. He walked over and sat down in front of the fire to her left.

"Hello, Lady Hestia."

"You've traveled far," she said, her eyes glowing warmly.

"I guess I have," he said, looking down at his hands.

"But you're still here at home and that means you are safe," she said lowering her brown shawl from her head.

"I don't know," he said uncertainly.

"I feel that you and I will speak many times in the future and each time I will tell you that your home is here, you just don't know it yet."

"I'm not sure I'll ever believe it."

"Your heart is heavy, I can see that, but when you find your happiness you'll see that you are right where you need to be. I'll leave you two to talk alone."

She faded from sight before he could ask her what she meant. He was alone for a few seconds before he heard the other person. The acoustics of the Amphitheater made it impossible not hear someone coming. As soon as Percy stepped inside his footsteps echoed all around and drew Nico's attention.

"Hey," Percy said sitting down on the ground beside him.

"Hey," Nico replied and tried not to look too long. Percy was wearing that crooked smile that always made him acutely aware of himself and he had to make an effort not to fidget. The fire changed from red to fuchsia. Percy glanced at it but Nico tried to pretend like he hadn't noticed.

"What are you doing here alone?" he asked Nico.

"I wasn't alone. Lady Hestia just left."

"Hestia the goddess?" Percy asked and looked around like he might still be able to spot her. Nico chuckled a little.

"Yeah, she's gone now. She was tending the fire. She does it all the time, you've probably just never noticed her. She likes it that way most of the time."

"But you notice her?"

"Yeah, I guess it's because I tend to go unnoticed and we have that in common. Plus, Lady Hestia is very accepting. She loves all her siblings and tries to help everyone."

He blushed when he noticed that he sounded silly and that Percy was watching him. But he nodded like he understood what Nico was saying. The fire glowed a bit pinker and Nico wanted to get away from it. Outted by a fire…that would suck.

"So," Percy said looking at the ground, "there's this rumor going around."

"Let me guess. It's about me?" He felt a little scared. What if everyone found out he was from the future? What if Silena told his biggest secret?

"Yeah, people are saying Silena Beauregard is cheating on Charlie Beckendorf with you."

The laughter burst out of him before he even had time to think. Percy looked at him in surprise but a slow smile was spreading across his face.

"I guess they're wrong?" he asked.

"So wrong!" Nico laughed. "We're just friends. She and Charlie are great together and I'm not interested in her that way."

"I knew it was stupid. Half the rumors that get started are just lies," he said grinning at Nico. "And you haven't been here long enough to like anyone."

"Yeah," he said looking into the fire.

"So, do you wanna come meet my friend, Blackjack?" Percy asked.

"Umm I…" He almost said that animals didn't like him, but he wasn't supposed to know who Blackjack was. "I guess?"

"Come on," Percy said happily.

It was a clear, mild day thanks to the magical weather control and he actually felt relaxed with Percy. The son of Poseidon was telling him about some prank the Stoll brothers had pulled a few weeks ago. They were walking toward the stables when they ran into Thalia and Annabeth. Percy and Annabeth smiled and waved at each other.

"Hey, we're going to archery, wanna come?" asked Annabeth.

"I was taking Nico to meet Blackjack," Percy said.

"Oh, he can meet the pegasi any time," Annabeth said dismissively.

"Yeah, we can go after, right Percy?" he asked hoping his face didn't give him away. The words felt like acid on his tongue.

"Sure, let's go, but I should tell you," he said smiling at Nico, "I really suck at archery."

"Well, I've never even tried," Nico said shrugging.

"Thalia has gotten really good at it!" Annabeth said proudly. Thalia shrugged it off but she was clearly proud too.

When they got to the archery field it was obvious Annabeth and Thalia were going to pair off together. He thought about just staying out of it but if that was the case he should have just kept going to the stables with Percy. If he wanted to go back to his time then he had to suck it up and make this work. Nico ground his teeth and summoned whatever courage it was that he used to plunge into battles with monsters.

"Hey Thalia? Do you think you can give me some pointers? I mean I'm a beginner and Annabeth says you're so good…"

"Yeah okay," she said uncertainly and walked over to help him.

Percy looked at them and then shrugged and walked over to partner with Annabeth. Things were kind of mechanical between him and Thalia, but it eased just a little when he let her take charge and followed all her advice. He glanced over at Percy and Annabeth and saw they were doing much better. Percy really was a terrible archer and they were laughing together at his last shot.

"You're not drawing back far enough," Thalia said.

"Oh, sorry," he said trying to focus again.

Percy and Annabeth's laughter made him feel like he was digesting rocks. At some point Percy tried to include him in the conversation but he pretended like he needed to focus on his shot. By the time it was over he just wanted to disappear somewhere but Percy was still set on going to the stables.

He met Blackjack but the other pegasi shied away from him. He knew Percy could talk to horses and he could see the confused look his face as the horses whinnied nervously at Nico. He didn't know what they were telling Percy but he could guess.

"It's a son of Hades thing," he told him.

"They're just being silly," said Percy. "Blackjack likes you!" In response, Blackjack stamped his hoof and Nico smiled quickly.

Once they were alone the tightness coiled in his stomach eased. This was the most time he'd ever spent around Percy and he had to admit it was probably the happiest he'd been a long time.