Like a roll of thinder chasing the wind/Forces pulling from the center of earth again -Live

The LucyB drifted off a mile from the coast. It was snowing on the open ocean.

Now that he had his medical license, Will ran a practice serving the legion. It had been nearly a year and Nico hated being here.

But Will had studied for almost twenty years and it wouldn't have been fair. So they lived on the boat and Nico escaped out here whenever possible.

His orzo took all morning to finish and he rescued a dragonfly from the cold. He summoned a draugr from the depths and set it at the wheel.

He went below deck and turned the wifi on, connecting to Will's office on the video line.

It was their routine. Everyday, Nico would call him during lunch. Mornings shifted from dull to manic, so he always looked forward to it.

Monica was absent this morning. Aside from helping him here, she was one of Hannibal's caretakers and was out for emotional bonding. So today had been even less exciting.

"Have you eaten this morning?" He cringed internally but Nico didn't seem to mind. In fact, he was sitting on the bed with the Cthulhu plushie in his lap. Monica usually wouldn't make a big deal about it but he was glad they were alone anyway

"I had a protein shake." He showed Will that he picked another for now. If only he would try a little harder.

There was a crash from Nico's end. He glanced up and said, "Oh no... be right back." Will taped a slip of paper on the camera and pretended to be busy when Nico came back. He turned the lights and closed early.

Nico was asleep when he got there. He was such a light sleeper that Will just needed to touch his shoulder to wake him.

"I dreamt of another sea god from far away. But he was dark and mysterious. He stood on a cliff that seemed miles above the water. I almost feel I know him."

"Well maybe we'll find him too one day. I got you the turkey club with avocado and extra chipotle and a mango, blackberry with almond milk."

"Thanks Will. You had to leave early?"

"Yeah but I saw Annabeth at Plato's and we're going to the arts district tonight. Some of my siblings are performing. Live music some wikified plays. It'll be fun."

Nico didn't look convinced so Will tried again."It'll be after eleven so it won't be that crowded."

"I guess I don't have to stay on the boat all the time. We are still going back to Oahu in February, right?"

"Yeah, no worries."

"Are you okay," Annabeth asked as Nico and Will walked ahead of them.

"I'm fine."

"I know when you're upset."

Percy laughed. "I'm not upset."

She noted the lights that were strung across the marble arches. They hid the stars but it was still pretty. The cold air gave her an excuse to walk closer to him. He put his arm around her.

"He's happy Percy. He found a way."

"I know but-"

"You aren't to blame."

"I know, Annabeth but he deserved so much better."

"And Will has been more than capable."

Percy watched them laughing and talking, completely at ease with each other. "You're right," he agreed. She squeezed his hand.

Nico looked back at them. "Can we try that new sashimi place?"

"Sounds great," Annabeth said enthusiastically.

"What's sashimi?"

"You won't like it but they have options for that. I'll help you find something."

"Hey, these lights remind me of the time you took me to prom, Will."

"Yeah. You were so cute. Every time you opened a soda you'd sniff it before you drank any."

"I saw you do it first."

"I did it once to make sure no one had spiked the punch."

"You let me do it all night and didn't say anything."

"I didn't know what to say. Besides I thought it was cute."

"And then they played that Shakira song you love."

"And it's been our song ever since."

Annabeth took a picture of them standing under the arch, holding hands and gazing at each other. Nico laughed, taken by surprise by the flash. "Don't worry. I'll give you guys a copy." But she showed it to Percy on her screen. "See?"

"Thanks," he said, smiling and grateful.