They had been driving for eight hours straight, cutting through the state of New York and into Pennsylvania, ever since rescuing the Stoll brothers from Camp Half-Blood. Eight hours had passed since they received the earth-shattering news: the man they had believed died on the battlefield that day was alive—if you could even call it that. The revelation had sent shockwaves through the group of demigods, many of them refusing to believe it at first. But their leader had no reason to lie about something so monumental, and Piper's shattered state was proof enough.
For the Romans, the news hit especially hard. Many of them had grown up with Jason and fought alongside him for years. They had mourned him deeply after that fateful day on the battlefield when Porphyrion struck him down. To learn that he was alive—yet under the control of someone called The Father—filled them with a gnawing unease. A heavy tension settled in their chests as they struggled to comprehend what this could mean for their future. Their former Praetor's return should have been a cause for celebration, but instead, it felt like a storm brewing on the horizon, dark and unpredictable.
Percy didn't truly know what to make of it. His mind felt like a storm-tossed sea, waves of confusion crashing violently against the edges of his thoughts. No matter how hard he tried to push the memories away, they surged back, relentless and unforgiving. The events of last night played on an endless loop in his head, each repetition more haunting than the last.
Jason had died that day right in front of him. There was no denying that. He could still hear the sharp, ragged gasps that tore from his friend's throat, the way he had clung to his arm with a strength born of desperation. His fingers had been ice-cold, trembling, his grip weakening with each passing second. Percy had watched the life drain from his eyes, powerless to stop it, helpless to save him. The weight of that failure had settled deep into his bones, a burden he had carried ever since.
Yet now—he was back. Alive. Breathing. Standing there as if nothing had happened.
Percy unconsciously tightened his hold on Piper, whose steady breaths rose and fell against his chest, grounding him in the present. She had been sleeping for the entire journey. He envied that she could rest after a night like that. Her brow was furrowed, however, as if she too were reliving last night. His gaze drifted to the window, to the world outside. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, painting the sky a beautiful coat of orange and its light spilling across the Pennsylvania hills, illuminating the frost-laced grass in a hazy glow. It was a beautiful sight, one that he surely would've enjoyed had it not been for the suffocating dread curling within his chest.
Turning his head back, he caught sight of Clarisse, who had been at the wheel for hours, eyes heavy with exhaustion. The faint glow of the dashboard illuminated her face, highlighting the dark circles forming beneath her eyes. Her fingers, once firm and steady on the wheel, now occasionally slipped as fatigue settled in.
Beside her, Butch stirred in the passenger seat, his body shifting as he blinked away the remnants of sleep. His hair was a tousled mess, and he let out a deep yawn, stretching his legs with a grunt.
"W-Where are we?" he mumbled, his voice thick with grogginess. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the lingering haze of sleep as he took in the darkened road stretching endlessly ahead of them.
"Just outside of Pittsburgh," Clarisse answered, her own yawn slipping out mid-sentence. She rolled her shoulders in an attempt to fight off the stiffness creeping into her muscles, but it did little to ease the weariness weighing her down.
"Says there's a rest station a couple miles down," Percy pitched in, eying a small roadsign sign that was barely able to be seen due to the vegetation covering it. "Let's stop there and figure out what to do from there."
The daughter of Ares grunted in response, gripping the wheel a little tighter. "Yeah, good idea. I need to get out of this seat before my legs completely stop working."
Butch rubbed his face again, blinking at the windshield as if the world outside would make more sense if he stared long enough. "I could go for some actual food. Been living off granola bars for too long."
Percy hummed in agreement, glancing down at Piper. She hadn't stirred at all, her breathing still steady, but the crease in her brow had deepened as if her dreams were anything but peaceful. He hated waking her, but they needed to figure out their next move because all they were doing right now was wasting fuel. As Clarisse took the exit leading to the rest station, the van jolted slightly over a pothole, and the daughter of Aphrodite finally stirred, her lashes fluttering as she let out a small, groggy sigh. Percy gave her a gentle squeeze.
"Hey," he murmured, brushing a few stray hairs out of her eyes. "We're stopping for a bit. Stretch, eat something–figure out what's next."
For a moment, she looked disoriented, her gaze unfocused as she tried to remember where she was. She blinked up at him sleepily, her lips parting as if to say something, but instead, she let out a quiet sigh and pressed her face deeper into his chest. "Mmm… five more minutes," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
Percy huffed a soft chuckle, his hand absentmindedly rubbing up and down her back. "I'd let you, but Clarisse might murder us if we don't get out of this van soon."
Piper groaned, tightening her hold on him, her fingers curling around his chest. "Sounds like a her problem."
He couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. After the nightmare they had just endured, he figured she deserved at least five more minutes of peace. "Fine," he relented, resting his chin atop her head, "but if she throws us both out, you're taking the blame."
She hummed in response, already half-asleep again, her body melting further into his warmth. The van rumbled to a stop in the parking lot of the rest station, the engine's low hum cutting out as Clarisse yanked the keys from the ignition.
"Alright, losers," she announced, stretching her arms over her head until her shoulders popped. "Let's move before I fall asleep at the wheel and drive us off a cliff."
Butch groaned as he shoved the door open, immediately stepping out and taking in a deep breath of the crisp morning air. "Gods, fresh air never felt so good," he muttered, rolling out his stiff shoulders. The two of them greeted the rest of the demigods who quickly filled suit, parking the vans, and hopping out in search of food or a restroom break.
Percy stayed back for a moment, looking down at Piper, who hadn't made any move to leave the van yet. Her head was nestled against his chest, her breath warm against his skin. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should just let her rest, but the wounds across his body were flaring up again. He hoped there were showers here, the water could help soothe the injuries.
A knock on the window broke his train of thought. He glanced up, finding Katie standing outside, arms crossed and eyes narrowed in impatience. She raised an eyebrow at the sight of Piper still nestled against him, still basking in his warmth.
"Morning," Percy greeted, opening the door.
"Morning," The daughter of Demeter replied, her tone a little sharp and lips pressed in a thin line at the sight of the cuddled-up pair.
He gave a small smile, oblivious to the tension in Katie's stance. Piper, sensing they weren't alone anymore, opened her eyes and slowly lifted her head from Percy's chest.
Morning, Katie," she mumbled, her voice still thick with drowsiness. She had no time to react before Katie was already pulling her off the man. The daughter of Aphrodite groaned as Percy's warmth escaped her, the cool morning breeze hitting her skin.
"I know, I know. We all want to cuddle up with him," She said with sarcasm. "But we need to freshen up with a shower."
Percy quietly chuckled as the two girls stumbled their way to the building but quickly stopped when Katie called over her shoulder. "And you definitely need one, Percy!" She remarked, causing the son of Poseidon to glance down and wince at his state.
The remnants of the previous day's battles were still visible—scratches, cuts, and bloodstains, now dried and crusted into his clothes. The bandages Nico had wrapped on him were practically gone, revealing nasty wounds that desperately needed water. He slid out of the van, his body stiff and sore from hours of cramped sitting. The air was crisp, sharp enough to make him feel more awake. As he stretched, he caught sight of Reyna slowly making her way up the stairs to the building Katie and Piper had just entered. It seemed she too wished for a warm shower to wash away the remnants of their journey so far.
"Morning sleeping beauty," he greeted, slipping her arm over his shoulders, practically lifting her up to make it easier for her to traverse the steep steps.
Reyna shot him a look, her tired eyes narrowing in playful annoyance. "Morning, Percy," she muttered, her tone still thick with sleep. She glanced at the close proximity and tried to hide the blush that crept up her face. "You know, I think I could get used to this."
Percy grinned, adjusting his hold on her as they reached the top of the stairs. She grimaced in pain, rubbing her stomach where she had been stabbed during the final battle against Gaea. It seemed she was getting better but it had only been close to a week since it had happened. It would take a lot longer to heal fully.
"I managed to find a little bit of ambrosia and nectar in the bunker last night," He said, walking inside the building that was bustling with both demigods and mortals alike. "Take some before we hit the road again."
She gave him a grateful albeit exhausted smile, her shoulders relaxing slightly at the mention of the healing food. "I'll take whatever I can get at this point." She leaned into him for support as they made their way toward the showers.
He could feel the heat of the steam in the air, a comforting presence that quickly faded when he realized there was only one hallway leading to the showers.
"Huh...?" He muttered, perplexed. Where were the men's showers? He scanned the room, searching for any sign or direction, but found none. Reyna, still leaning against him, began to grow restless, eager to head inside.
"What are you waiting for?" she asked, her voice tinged with impatience.
"There's—huh—there's no men's showers," he replied, frowning.
"It's co-ed showers, Percy. Didn't you see the sign?" Reyna shot back.
He blinked, his eyes scanning the hallway again, now seeing the small sign above the door with an image of both a man and a woman under the word "SHOWERS." His frown deepened. He should have seen it earlier, but the long drive, the lack of sleep, and the overwhelming confusion from last night had left his mind in a haze. The last thing he expected was to be faced with this kind of situation in a dingy rest stop. He looked down at Reyna, who raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by his discomfort.
"Co-ed?" Percy repeated, almost as if testing the word.
"Yeah," She smirked, adjusting her grip on him. "It's not a big deal. We Romans bathe together all the time. This is no different."
"I can think of a few differences," he muttered before reluctantly walking inside. The shower room was somewhat crowded already, filled with mostly demigods who wanted to wash away the grime and sweat. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling inside as he surveyed the room, the fluorescent lights overhead flickering slightly and the echo of running water making the space feel oddly cavernous. It only grew further when he realized that there were no stalls, just rows of open showerheads along the walls. It felt more like an open gym shower than anything remotely comforting.
"Oh, Gods, you're here," Will looking up from rubbing his body, noticing Percy's entrance. "Try not to blow up this building too, Perce. I need this shower."
"Jesus Christ, Will." The son of Poseidon replied, averting his eyes. "Put that thing away before you poke someone's eye out."
The son of Apollo chuckled, clearly unbothered. "From what I've heard you should take your own advice." He teased, grinning mischievously.
Percy quickly turned away, doing his best to ignore the lingering awkwardness as he walked further into the room, his eyes focused on the tile floor.
Reyna followed close behind, her steps slow as she seemed to take in the scene, her expression bemused. "A bit of an eye-opener, huh?" she said dryly, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
"Yeah, just a little," he mumbled, his face flushing slightly despite himself. He was used to a lot of strange situations, but this one? Definitely not on the list.
Will gave a mock salute, still amused by Percy's discomfort, and returned to his shower. "We're all friends here," he said, voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Nothing to be embarrassed about."
He shot a glance behind at Reyna, who was trying—unsuccessfully—to hide a grin. "You're loving this, aren't you?" he muttered under his breath, still trying to ignore the growing number of demigods around them.
"Me?" Reyna's smile widened as she reached for her towel. "You calling me a pervert or something?"
The son of Poseidon grumbled something under his breath, reluctantly taking a towel as well, and headed to the very end of the room where there were a few spaces open. Taking a few deep breaths to try and relax himself, he slowly began to undo his tattered clothing, grimacing as he felt his wounds and broken forearm stretch uncomfortably. The fabric stubbornly clung to his body where blood and dirt had dried into the material. Every movement sent sharp pangs through his chest, the bruising from his earlier battles still tender to the touch. He winced, but the thought of the shower's warmth kept him going.
Noticing movement, he was surprised to see Reyna right next to him doing the same. She was peeling off her clothes with a quiet efficiency, her expression neutral, but Percy could tell there was a certain tension in her posture. The injuries she'd sustained were still fresh, though she tried to hide it. She flinched when a jolt of pain shot through her as she attempted to take off her shirt, the movement hurting more than she cared to admit. Sighing, she thought she might have to use scissors to get the clingy material off until the son of Poseidon spoke up next to her.
"Need help?" His instinct to help kicking in.
Reyna glanced up at him, surprised by the offer. Her pride seemed to flare for a moment, but the pain in her face quickly overtook any resistance she might have felt. She nodded, wordlessly turning her back to Percy who came up close behind her. He moved with care, trying to avoid causing any more discomfort. He gently reached for the hem of her shirt, his hands steady as he helped lift the fabric, being mindful of the tender spot on her stomach. Her breath hitched slightly when the shirt pulled over the injured area, but she didn't flinch away. He quickly maneuvered the material off and set it aside, offering her a small, reassuring smile.
"Better?" he asked softly, not wanting to embarrass her.
She gave him a tight, thankful smile, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah. Thanks."
He stepped back into his own showerhead, taking off the remainder of his clothing before turning on the water. He was somewhat surprised at how easily he got over the awkwardness. He supposed the water had a calming effect on him. But that reprieve was short-lived. As soon as the water kissed his wounds, a searing pain ignited beneath his skin, spreading like fire through his veins. His body jerked involuntarily, breath hitching as he sucked in air through clenched teeth. A low, strangled groan threatened to escape, but he swallowed it down, pressing his arm against the cool tile as his free hand curled into a tight fist.
Damn that Hellhound. He could still feel the phantom heat of its claws raking through him, the unnatural sting of its cursed wounds refusing to fade. The injuries should have been healed by now, but whatever unholy magic laced within that beast ensured they remained raw—burning with a vengeance whenever water touched them. He gritted his teeth, biting back another pained sound.
Reyna, still rinsing off beside him, caught the tension in his shoulders and the barely concealed wince in his expression. Her brow furrowed as she turned slightly toward him, the water cascading down her back.
"You okay?" she asked, concern threading through her voice.
"I'll live," he replied with a forced grin, reaching for a bar of soap and working up a lather. As he ran his hands over his skin, he could feel her gaze lingering on him, sending a ripple of shivers down his arms despite the warmth of the water. There was a heat in her eyes as she traced the contours of his body—the muscles, the scars, the tanned skin.
Percy cleared his throat, breaking the spell. He shot the daughter of Bellona a flat look.
"It's rude to stare, y'know," he said.
"Please, don't act like you haven't stolen a few glances at me," Reyna replied with an indignant huff, looking away.
The green-eyed demigod let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he turned his attention back to scrubbing away the grime of battle. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, though the slight smirk on his lips betrayed him. He couldn't deny that she was beautiful. Her slightly tanned skin and onyx hair piqued something within him.
"Not like I'm the only one either," She muttered, causing Percy to raise an eyebrow.
He hadn't sensed any lingering eyes on him besides Reyna's own. Slyly looking back, he noticed Piper and Katie a few stalls away back toward the entrance. Both girls were pretending to be deep in conversation, but Piper's eyes flickered toward him more often than necessary. Katie, meanwhile, was not as subtle. She was outright staring, her head tilted slightly, gaze locked onto him with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine—though Percy swore he could see a hint of amusement in her smirk.
"Not horny my ass," he muttered under his breath, remembering Katie's words when he had taken a shower back at the Empire State Building. Despite himself, his gaze lingered a moment longer. The two women were undeniably beautiful—Katie with her pale, flawless skin, and Piper, her sun-kissed glow shimmering under the cascade of water. For a brief moment, he let himself admire the scene, the weight of the past few days momentarily lifting. But then, catching himself, he shook his head, as if to dispel the thought, and forced his focus back to washing up.
Reyna was the first to finish, drying off quickly and promising to meet him in the common area where the others were waiting. He, however, lingered under the shower a little longer, letting the warm water soothe his aching muscles. The sting of his wounds had dulled somewhat, though the cursed marks from the Hellhound still throbbed. He sighed, leaning his forehead against the cool tile as the water cascaded down his back. So much had happened these past few days that it all felt like a blur to him. Their problems never seemed to end, only continuing to pile one after another.
He suddenly noticed someone beside him in the shower Reyna had just used, breaking his train of thought. Assuming it was Katie or Piper trying to mess with him, he let out an exasperated sigh. "Guys, come on…" His voice faltered as he realized it wasn't either of them. Instead, towering over him was a six-foot-seven mortal black man, eyeing him up and down with a sly smirk.
"You like what you see, sexy?" the man quipped, his deep tone dripping with sass. The son of Poseidon didn't wait around. He practically shot out of the shower room, using his powers to dry himself off in an instant as he scrambled to pull on his tattered clothes.
He burst into the common area and found everyone gathered in the lounge, casually eating McDonald's that was luckily across the street. The aroma of fries and burgers filled the air, making his stomach growl in protest. Trying to mask the lingering panic from what had just happened, he forced a calm expression and joined the group, sinking into an empty seat. As he half-listened to the chatter around him, his mind wandered, and he couldn't help but envy the others. The thought of biting into a warm, greasy burger was almost unbearable, but with no money in his pocket, he could only sit there, silently wishing for a bite of something—anything—to quiet the gnawing hunger.
Then, as if the Gods themselves came down from the heavens, a brown bag, filled with a burger and fries, appeared before his eyes. He tried not to tear up when Katie's face appeared from behind the bag, smirking at his eagerness
"Here, pervert," she said, sitting down next to him.
"Oh my Gods, thank you Kat–pervert?! Pervert?!" He replied indignantly, though his hands continued to fish out the bag's contents.
"Don't think I didn't see you eyeing me up in the shower!" Katie replied, crossing her arms over her bountiful chest. "I saw those hungry eyes, Jackson!"
Percy nearly choked on his first bite of the burger, his face turning a deep shade of red as he struggled to swallow. "You're one to talk! You stared at me like a cat in heat back there!"
The daughter of Demeter rolled her eyes, but the faint blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her. "Just be thankful I bought you food instead of calling the police on you." She muttered, abashed, before digging into her own meal.
The two of them fell into a comfortable silence, the events from the past few days momentarily forgotten. Around them, the other demigods were similarly relaxed, enjoying the brief respite. Piper sat cross-legged on the floor, nibbling on a chicken sandwich, her eyes distant but less haunted than before. Clarisse was devouring a double cheeseburger with the ferocity of someone who hadn't eaten in days, while the Stolls and the younger children were engaged in a heated debate over whether ketchup belonged on fries or not.
Reyna, now dressed in clean clothes and looking significantly more refreshed, sat on the edge of the group, quietly observing. Her gaze lingered on Percy for a moment, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lips before she turned her attention to the map spread out on the table in front of her. She traced a finger along the route they had taken, her brow furrowed in thought.
"So, what's the move?" Nico spoke up, finishing up the rest of his fries. That question seemed to quell all conversation in the room, all eyes directed at Percy who was blissfully unaware as he continued to devour his meal. A slight nudge from Katie, however, drew his eyes upward from his burger.
The son of Poseidon took a deep breath, setting the remnants of his burger down on the table as he wiped his hands on his jeans. "First things first, we need to figure out where we want to go. Can't just keep driving aimlessly."
"And where would that be exactly?" A child, one of the ones he had saved from that Hellhound yesterday, spoke up, curiosity and excitement evident in her eyes.
"I don't know," Percy shrugged, looking around the room. "Where would you guys like to build a camp? It has to be remote enough to hide from mortals but we can still be somewhat close to some mortal cities for supplies."
The room fell silent as the demigods pondered their leader's question. The idea of building a new camp was both daunting and exhilarating. For many of them, Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter had been their only homes, places of safety and belonging. The thought of starting over was overwhelming, but exciting. It felt like the beginning of a fresh start.
"We need somewhere defensible," Clarisse broke the silence, crumbling up her now empty bag. "Somewhere with natural barriers–mountains, forests, water. We need those in case we're ever attacked."
"Appalachian Mountains?" Butch suggested, looking around the room. "They're remote, plenty of woods and there's rivers and lakes scattered throughout."
The room murmured with agreement, thinking that might be a good place to start. Reyna, however, voiced her disagreement.
"Bad idea," she said, without looking up from her map. "There are ancient spirits there that we Romans will never dare cross. They don't like demigods on their turf. Plus, mortals hike those mountains all the time. Sooner or later they'd stumble upon us."
Once again the hundred demigods went quiet, all silently contemplating where to build their new home. Percy hadn't the faintest clue on where to build. Sure, he'd been to a lot of places in America but he didn't exactly have time to evaluate its real estate potential
"The Rockies?" Travis suggested to which multiple people groaned their displeasure.
"That's all the way across the freaking country!"
"I'm not driving that far at all!"
"Jeez, jeez, okay." The son of Hermes sat back down, throwing his hands up in surrender. "Fuck me for suggesting something for once, I guess."
"What if we continue northwest?" Katie pitched in, slapping Percy's hand away as he tried to sneakily grab a few fries. "Say like Montana?"
"That state is past Colorado in case you don't know your geography," Travis replied, hoping to draw a few laughs considering they just shot down his idea for the Rockies. To his dismay, however, people seemed to be on board with that suggestion.
"Tons of mountains, lakes, and rivers. Very remote too if we find a good spot." The daughter of Demeter continued, enticing the demigods more and more.
"That sounds good to me," Reyna said, agreeing with it.
"Me too," Nico replied with a nod.
More and more agreed with the notion until eventually, it all came back to Percy. He was the deciding vote after all. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the table as he considered the suggestion. Montana. It was a big state, with plenty of open land and natural barriers like Katie said. It wasn't as close to an ocean as he would've liked but the rivers and lakes would do just fine.
"Montana sounds good," he said finally, nodding. "We'll head northwest, like Katie suggested. Find a spot that's defensible with access to water and resources. We'll need to scout the area once we get there, but it's a solid plan."
The room seemed to exhale collectively, the tension easing as the decision was made. There was still a long road ahead of them—literally and figuratively—but having a destination in mind made the journey feel less daunting.
"Remind me to never suggest an idea again," The son of Hermes muttered to his brother as he sat up from his chair, deciding the outside air might do him some good.
"What about Jason?" Piper suddenly said, her somber tone breaking the good mood blanketing the room. "We're–we're just going to leave him? Have him mind controlled by some evil God?"
The air grew still as they took in her words. Many grimaced as they realized it was a bad look, leaving the son of Jupiter behind to a terrible fate. He had been one of their leaders during the war and a good friend. To leave him at the mercy of the Father put a bad taste in their mouth. But what could they do exactly? How could they free him? There were so many unanswered questions about his situation that they didn't even know where to begin.
"We're not leaving him," Percy said firmly with steely resolve. "We're not abandoning him either. But we need to focus on us first. Hell, we don't even have beds to sleep on at the moment."
Piper's eyes were glistening with unshed tears, but she nodded in understanding.
"I promise you, Pipes, we'll get him back. You have my word." He promised, his green eyes locking onto her. He too desperately wanted to help his cousin but they had to play this smart. The Father–whoever or whatever he is–was powerful. Powerful enough to bring a son of Jupiter back from the dead and control him. They needed to understand more before they could even think of making a move.
With that, their conversation seemed to draw to a close. Their stomachs were full, they had cleaned themselves, and now, with a clear destination in mind, the next step was straightforward—reach it without any problems along the way. Of course, as they all knew, that was far easier said than done. But they were riding on hope. That's really all they could do.
Walking out to the parking lot, the demigods began to scramble back into the vans, eager to get their long journey started. Percy, who didn't really want to drive, tried to get in the driver's seat but was stopped by Butch.
"I got it," he said. "Not as tired as I thought I'd be."
The son of Poseidon nodded, trying not to show how relieved he was. "Just try not to crash us into a ditch or anything."
"No promises," The son of Iris chuckled, starting up the van. The son of Poseidon should've known better though than to think Butch was offering to drive due to the grace in his heart.
Percy pulled open the passenger door, expecting to see the same group from before. Instead, he was met with an unexpected sight—Katie, Reyna, and Piper lounging in the back, leaving just one open seat for him in the middle. He stifled a groan, already sensing that this was going to be a very, very long drive.
"Don't even think about switching vans," Katie said, fastening her seatbelt as she patted the empty seat.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he muttered, ducking his head as he slid into the vehicle. He settled into his seat, clicking the seatbelt into place, and watched as the convoy of vans began to roll out of the rest station, all heading northwest. Their van was the last to leave, and as they pulled away, he glanced back at the building's entrance. There he was—the black guy from the showers. The man stood there, waving, his eyes locked on Percy.
"Bye, Boo!" The man's voice carried through the open window as they sped out of the parking lot and onto the highway.
"Who was that?" the girls chimed in almost immediately, twisting in their seats to look back, their eyes wide with curiosity.
"No one," Percy mumbled, slumping lower in his seat. He pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the window, hoping the conversation would end there. But the girls were already connecting the dots.
"Oh my gods!" they squealed in unison, their voices rising with excitement. "You got hit on in the showers!" They grabbed his shoulders, shaking him as they erupted into laughter.
Percy let out a long, slow, and exhausted sigh, his breath fogging up the window. This was going to be a very, very, long trip.