Maybe if we are surrounded in beauty, someday we will become what we see - Jewel

"Percy was attacked by empousa while going to the post office," Annabeth sighed. She poured raspberry puree into another bowl.

"I need more heavy cream. And if Nico loses control of his emotions, everything within a ten mile radius could die horribly," Will told her. "He isn't the most regulated person, you know."

"That's a hypothetical. It happened twice just this week." She stirred in the cream and white chocolate before handing it to him.

"I'm right here," Percy said, seperating prosciutto slices.

"You crashed the lab's submersible and now they are out of $50k and a submersible."

"There was a swarm of telekhine..."

"I know, sweetie," she told him. "Don't forget the fruit is still in the icebox."

"Hazel and Frank are here," Nico said, coming into the kitchen. Will instantly lit up, literally.

"Well what are they still doing in there, tell them to get in here," he chided Nico. In the brief interlude, he took a small box from one of the drawers, tied with a dark purple ribbon.

He pushed it across the counter as soon as everyone was there. "I rented this entire floor for the week, so technically this is our place."

"It's a necklace and I'm not wearing that." But Nico still looked hesitant. He lifted it from the box revealing a sunflower and butterfly choker.

"Kronos will rue the day he thought he could get away with it," Will said. He came around to Nico and fastened the chain. "I like it." He plucked a red hibiscus from the centerpiece and tucked it by Nico's ear.

Nico moved to take it out but Will grabbed his hand. The light intensified when they touched. "I know what you're doing. Stop."

"Oh you like it," Will teased. He handed him the wooden spoon Annabeth had set aside. "What do you think? None of us have made fondue before."

Will glanced sideways at Percy and Annabeth, the blue in his eyes intensifying to cobalt for a second. Percy stopped cutting fruit and stared at him. "What?"

"Don't worry about it, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth reassured him.

"Don't worry about it? How am I supposed to do that?"

"Hazel, I'm sorry," Nico said, watching his sister. None of the others noticed how uncomfortable she looked.

Will set the gruyere blend next to the raspberry. "They don't have to stay if it really bothers her."

"Everyone forgets I'm from the thirties too," she reminded him.

"Oh I know. Frank, do you mind? We talked earlier."

"It's not a big deal. I'll take it off."

"No. This is our place."

"I made reservations at Plato's," Frank said.

"But-," Nico and Hazel protested.

"Hazel, please." She sighed in frustration but left with Frank.

"Why did you do that," Nico snapped at Will, forgetting the others momentarily.

"I told you this is our place."

"And she's my sister."

"Then you guys can work it out in the morning. This is your night."

"I wanted her to be here."

"I know. But that looks good on you and if she can't appreciate it then she can go."

Nico grabbed the charcuterie board and left the room angrily. Will sighed and looked at the other two.

"How is he doing," Annabeth asked quietly.

"He's amazing. Always. Can you guys help me move this stuff in there? He wanted to watch Amadeus and Rocketman."

"Sure," Percy said, looking relieved for the excuse.

"Are you okay," Will asked Annabeth as they finished.

"No one really wants to hire a female architect, not even here, not even now. But Percy makes enough and I'm just bored. I think I'd go a little crazy if not for you guys."

"You know, Monica's two week notice is almost through. It wasn't personal but Hannibal is her three-ton baby if you know what I mean."

"Are you offering me a job?"

"I'm going to need a new assistant. You can still answer phones and check blood pressure without any formal training. It's mostly paperwork."

"Oh I love paperwork!" She turned slightly red with embarrassment. "But why not ask Nico?"

"He needs a lot of alone time. That's not going to change. And somehow he finds a way to be productive regardless of what anyone says."

"I'll check it out Monday. Thanks so much."

"Come by tomorrow and we'll get the onboarding stuff taken care of."

"Percy, guess what," she said, sliding next to him on the couch.

"Strawberry," Will asked, holding one out to him.

"Shut up," Nico said, fake scowling at him but he took it anyway.

Now that your rose is in bloom, a light hits the gloom on the grey - Seal