"I can make you food when we get back to our place, or we can buy you something. There is no in-between," Nico stated resolutely as he looked at Hazel. She tried to give him an annoyed look, but she couldn't maintain it for long. Nico tried to hide his smile because he was trying to act stern. His gaze swept the room.

"Nico could make you two a candlelit dinner. Some pasta," Reyna teased. She was holding onto the handles of the wheelchair that the nurses were going to help Hazel into. Hazel seemed uncomfortable by all of the attention that she was getting, but she also looked grateful to be out of the hospital. "We'll get some candles on the way home."

To Nico's left was Frank. He was holding onto the crutches, and a huge blush came to his face as soon as Reyna said that. Nico made a point of turning toward Frank and pointing at him, "You know what happens if you break her heart."

"Frank could beat you up," Hazel countered on her boyfriend's behalf. Nico scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Not if he doesn't see me coming," Nico challenged as he raised his chin. Hazel reached out to gently hit his arm.

"Nico is pretty deadly with a backpack," Reyna chipped in. Nico glanced at Reyna, and she just shrugged. Two nurses walked into the room, and Nico was forced to step back as they helped Hazel. Reyna held the wheelchair into place.

As the nurses gave Hazel her final instructions and checked to see anything, Frank moved to Nico's side. He glanced at him and spoke, "I probably should have had a whole conversation with you before asking her out."

"She's my little sister, but that doesn't mean I control her life," Nico replied as he glanced at Frank. "Just treat her right, please."

"Or else?" Frank guessed. Nico gave him a small smile. "You don't mind me coming over to help her settle in?"

"If I minded, I wouldn't have offered," Nico stated, crossing his arms as the nurses left. Hazel stared down at the paperwork that she had been given. The surgery went as well as it could, so now, they were just in the recovery phase. Which was the longest one. And the hardest.

Hazel could do it, though. Nico believed in her. He would also be there every step of the way. Everyone in the gym would be there for her. Hazel had all the support she could need. It still made Nico nervous.

"Ready to leave?" Reyna asked as she looked at Hazel.

"Extremely," Hazel replied. Reyna smirked and pushed Hazel out of the room. Nico took the time to look around again to make sure they weren't missing anything. Then, he shouldered the backpack that had all of Hazel's things and followed after them. Frank took up the rear.

"Lupa told us that we are all invited to Rome for her induction," Frank spoke up as he increased his pace and moved next to the wheelchair. Hazel looked at him and smiled.

"Lupa told me when she visited me earlier," Hazel said. They stopped at an elevator, and Reyna pressed a button. It opened, and Frank kept his arm in front of the doors to keep it from closing on them. Reyna pushed the wheelchair inside.

"She wanted to see if I was comfortable going, and I am going to go. I want to have fun," Hazel stated. She turned her head to look back at Reyna. "I'm also coming to your fight."

"We'll see how you feel on that day," Reyna replied. Hazel shook her head.

"I'm going to be there for you and Annabeth," Hazel promised. Reyna smiled as Nico hurried into the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor.

"You're going to rest until then," Nico ordered. Hazel rolled her eyes and tried to look annoyed, but she wasn't upset. Nico glanced at Reyna. They had already decided that Hazel was going to stay with them until she was back on her feet and feeling better.

Reyna already offered for Hazel to have her room, and it took a lot of time to convince Hazel. Nico could already see that Hazel felt like a burden, but she wasn't. She needed someone there if she needed help. The last thing they wanted was for her to hurt herself more.

"I'll do my best," Hazel said softly. The elevator door opened, and Reyna pushed Hazel forward. Nico and Frank followed behind. A tired sigh left Hazel. "Thank you, everyone. Your support, while suffocating, does mean a lot."

"If you think we're suffocating you now, wait till we get home," Reyna commented teasingly. Nico hit her shoulder, and she gave him a knowing look. "Do you remember how you were after my car accident?"

"Do you?" Nico countered.

"Ouch," Reyna said as she placed a hand to her heart. Nico rolled his eyes and moved ahead of the group to get the car. He pulled it up to the entrance, and Reyna helped Hazel sit up front. She then returned the wheelchair inside while Frank sat in the backseat.

As Reyna jogged back to the car, she sat behind Nico and looked at them, "Should we eat something at home or get something on the way?"

"Can we get something on the way?" Hazel asked.

"Of course," Nico replied. He started to drive out of the parking lot. "Where do you want to go?"

"McDonald's?" Hazel suggested. Reyna smirked.

"Like brother like sister," Reyna joked. Nico rolled his eyes. "At least we don't have to ask for directions. Nico knows where all of them are."

"Oh shut up. It's your favorite, too."

"Only because you buy it all the time," Reyna rebutted. Nico would have reached back to hit her if he wasn't driving. Instead, he drove to the nearest McDonald's and ordered food. He was tempted to get Reyna a kid's meal, but when she flashed her card, he ordered her usual. As they got their food, he gave it to Frank to hold but did give a carton of fries to Hazel.

The drive home was rather peaceful. And when they got there, Frank took the food inside. Reyna picked Hazel up before she could protest and carried her inside. Nico followed with the crutches and the bag of Hazel's things.

"You didn't have to carry me inside," Hazel protested as Reyna laid her down on the couch. Reyna just shrugged and got a pillow to put under the brace Hazel had on her leg. "Thank you."

"Anytime," Reyna said. She made a plate for Hazel and gave it to her. Aurum and Argentum had made their way into the living room and seemed excited by all of the visitors. Reyna quickly calmed them down and took them outside to use the bathroom.

"Bathroom is down there, right?" Frank asked.

"One in either room," Nico replied. Frank nodded and stepped away. Nico looked at Hazel. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," Hazel answered. "What about you?"

"I'm worried about you," Nico said. "I'm glad you're staying here too. And this Rome thing."

"What about it?" Hazel asked as she looked at Nico. He took a deep breath and looked at her.

"Well, Will's mom is coming to Rome. To meet me," Nico replied.

"Is Will's mom okay with the two of you dating?" Hazel asked in a soft voice.

"Yeah. He said that she is really supportive. I just don't want to mess this up," Nico admitted. "What if she doesn't like me? Or I say something to upset her?"

"I don't think you can say anything to upset her," Hazel soothed. "I know you're nervous, but she is going to love you."

"Hopefully," Nico muttered. He closed his eyes and took another deep breath. "That isn't the only reason. Rome was where my mother died. I, um, haven't been back since she passed. And when Bianca... well. That's where they're both buried."

"Oh, Nico. I'm so sorry," Hazel said softly. Nico felt tears cloud his vision, and he blinked a few times. "Are you still going to go?"

"I am," Nico said softly. "Reyna is going to go out to all kinds of restaurants with me. Do you want to come with me?"

"Of course," Hazel replied instantly. She grabbed Nico's arm and squeezed. Nico opened his mouth to ask her something else, but his voice died on him. He just forced a smile before focusing on his food.

"Thank you, Hazel. For being there."

"Anytime."