Set In Stone (Thea X Nico)

"Thank You, death boy."

(Thea's POV)

"Ow, my head!" I open my eyes once more, finding Leo upside down in a huge trash can, Piper sitting on the ground next to me, and Nico laying flat on his back breathing heavily. I bring my eyes to our surroundings. We were in an alley between two large buildings. Trash lay everywhere, seagulls squawked, cars sped past, and I could hear the ocean in the distance. We were definitely in California now.

"Why was I the only one who landed in the trash can?" Leo jumps over the side of the large trash can, rubbing his head slightly as he pulls me up from the ground where I was just sitting. 

"Because Leo, you didn't hold on tight enough." Nico sits up, frowning at Leo. Nico looks horrible. His eyes were sunken in, looking almost skeletal, his breathing was rigid, and his lips were purple. Nico meets my eyes and shakes his head in annoyance. 

"Yes I know, I look dead. Why are you even surprised?" Nico says as he pushes past me heading for the road.

"Nico! Wait!" He turns around looking deeply into my eyes. A car speeds past as he stands watching me, making a breeze push through his hair, he held his sword in his right hand like he was ready for a battle. He's so strong, I don't mean physically strong but like strong in a way, I could never be. He is definitely someone I look up to, even though he shows not a single care for anyone he proves that wrong through his sacrifice. 

"Here, take this." I run up to him handing him a small piece of ambrosia. He looks down at it then back up at me before grabbing it abruptly and throwing it in his mouth. He walks off disappearing around the corner. I want to chase after him, I want to hug him and tell him he needs rest, and that everything okay but I know he'll only push me away.

We catch up to Nico as he leads us down the sidewalk next to the beach. We pass a skatepark, tourist, couples holding hands, dogs being walked, roller skaters, and weird almost circus characters. California was a show of itself, everyone was so confident and had no interest in others. We all follow Nico silently, observing the palm trees and the weird people that scattered the beach and streets. We step into a bus station that was insanely busy, with hundreds of different people getting off and on the many buses surrounding us. 

"We have to catch a bus to the Hollywood sign. It's only about 30 minutes away so we have loads of time." When Nico strides up to the clerk, the clerk smiles widely. He was an older man who wore a suit with a badge pinned onto his pocket, the badge said Carl Andrews.

"Well hello, again dear Nico! It's been a long time since you've been here. Off to see your dad again?" Me, Piper, and Leo exchange glances, they were both confused too.

"Yes, and my friends are coming along this time too." The man looks back at us, his smile grows wider and his eyes squint shut with excitement as he waves at us. I wave back forcing a smile, getting very confused with this conversation. 

"That's great Nico! I've never seen you with friends other than that boy... what's his name again?" He scratches his head in thought. 

"Will?" Nico goes red slightly but then forces his attention again on Carl.

"Yes, yes that's the one! I like him, you should bring him along next time. Anyways, I'm assuming four, one-way tickets to the Hollywood sign?" Nico nods handing a few bills to Carl.

"Well thanks again Carl," Nico says before waving goodbye and leading us to the waiting area. I look over at Piper and Leo who had their mouths open in shock at Nico who was now smiling slightly.

"You brought Will to the underworld?!" Both Leo and Piper blurt out, making Nico flinch.

"Yeah? You guys have come too...?" He looks at the both of them in disgust, then he brings his eyes over to mine.