𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒¹

𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝐻𝑜𝑚𝑒

‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊

ASTORIA, PERCY, ANNABETH, GROVER, and Tyson made it to Long Island shortly after Clarisse did, thanks to the centaurs' travel abilities. It turns out that the camp was under attack for the past two weeks, and many campers were injured. Astoria noticed her brothers and sisters running around tirelessly, aiding those that needed it. Even Will was scurrying around with his basket of first aid, ambrosia, and nectar.

Nonetheless, anyone mobile crowded around Thalia's tree. Clarisse draped the Golden Fleece over the base of the wood in an ceremonious fashion, and almost immediately, the item did its work. Astoria felt a cool breeze graze her skin, the smell of strawberries flooding the camp.

Once Chiron and Mr. D were sure that the Fleece was working properly, they assigned a 24/7 watch on the tree. Everyone else would return to their schedule. Clarisse was celebrated for her quest, receiving her laurel in the amphitheater. Percy and Annabeth were simply treated as if they've never left. Astoria smiled as she watched the camp go back to normal, chaotic but home.

"You're back!"

The girl almost fell over from a tackle behind. When she turned her head, she saw Will hugging her tightly, teary eyed. She wanted to tease him, but the sniffles and waterworks got the best of her.

"Did you think I wouldn't come back?" She smirked.

"I thought you were dead!" he wailed. 'Oh boy, this is getting too emotional for me to handle.'

"I'm here now, okay? Stop crying." Astoria awkwardly patted his head, unsure of what to do.

"No!"

"He must really like you," Michael laughed, coming over to the two. "What happened to you these past eleven months?"

"Oh nothing, really," Astoria dismissed. "Just some kidnapping and Sleeping Beauty experiences." At her answer, Will cried even louder.

"Will Solace, stop that right now," Michael ordered. "Don't you see that Astoria doesn't like you crying? Look, your snot and tears are all over her shoulder."

"You don't like me?!" Will asked heartbroken.

"What?! No! I never- he never said that!" Astoria panicked. She looked desperately at her older brother. "Do something!"

Michael simply shrugged, and left Astoria to fend for herself as Will cried the whole night.

The next morning, Chiron announced that the chariot race Tantalus scheduled will proceed as planned, and as much as Astoria would have liked to participate, the centaur gave her a strict ban. He justified his decision by saying how she should recover and that it was too dangerous for a mortal.

As a result, Astoria was spectating as Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson were building their chariot and practicing for the race.

"I was wondering, Astoria, " Percy suddenly spoke up, "since you know everything that happens-"

"Not everything-"

"Okay, majority of things, do you know who'll win the race?"

"I don't know, do I?" Astoria shrugged. "And if I did know, I won't tell you."

"Aw c'mon, why not?" Percy whined.

"Get your head out of the gutter, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth bonked his head with her fist. "Knowing would ruin the excitement of this race."

"Exactly," Astoria grinned. Annabeth reciprocated with a smile.

"We will cheer for brother and Annie, Little Lady!" Tyson said as he fixed up the chariot wheels.

"Yup!"

Astoria watched as they worked until the night. Feeling the drowsiness come through, she said goodnight to her friends and headed back to the Big House. It'd been too long since she last slept on a nice bed. Opening her bedroom door, she noticed that everything was exactly as how she last saw it.

The bed was messy and the windows were wide open, allowing the cool air to filter the room. Due to her absence, the furniture surfaces were gathering a thin layer of dust that she would have to clean out again. Grabbing a duster and pan she set to work and made sure that not a single speck of dust was left.

When Astoria finished, she jumped into bed and let herself sink into the mattress. It was so cozy. 'I could rest her forever.' Closing her eyes, she drifted off to an eventless sleep.

On the day of the chariot race, Astoria stood along the track rails, watching each team get ready. She awed at the chariots' designs and made sure to give a big thumbs up for the Apollo Cabin and her friends. When she caught Clarisse's attention she smiled widely. La Rue scoffed and looked away, but there was a slight pinkish color on her ears.

Tyson had joined her side as Chiron made his way to the starting line. Everyone prepped themselves and the centaur blew the conch.

The horses ran immediately, and some campers almost fell from the get-go.

"Let's follow after them!"

Astoria pulled Tyson as they ran to match the pace of the race.

"GO PERCY AND ANNABETH!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. She grinned at Tyson. "I can't believe you built that chariot."

"It was no big deal," he mumbles shyly.

"Are you kidding?!" the girl exclaimed. "I don't need to be a builder to know that you're skills are amazing! Percy and Annabeth must be extremely proud. You're the best Cyclops brother ever."

"Stop it, Little Lady." Tyson looked away.

"No way!" Astoria laughed.

They followed the chariots, shouting cheers and dodging free-flying weapons. On the last lap, Astoria and Tyson cheered extra loud when the watch Tyson gave Percy became a huge shield.

The Hephaestus and Ares cabin were closing in, Annabeth swerved and brought her and Percy to the finish line.

Everyone started screaming and Astoria made a giant leap into her friends' arms.

"I knew you would win," she smiled. She planted her feet on the ground.

"You should've told us that we would win," Percy raised an eyebrow playfully. "I would've liked a boost in confidence."

"You flatter yourself." Astoria rolled her eyes at the boy then turned to Annabeth. "You know what to do."

Chase grinned before shouting, "Hold up! Listen! It wasn't just us!" The crowd refused to quiet, so Annabeth shouted even louder. "We couldn't have done it without somebody else! We couldn't have won this race or gotten the Fleece or saved Grover or anything! We owe our lives to Tyson, Percy's-"

"Brother!" Percy finished, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Tyson, my baby brother."

The Cyclops blushed. The crowed cheered. Annabeth planted a kiss on Percy's cheek. The roaring got even louder. Astoria squealed and patted their backs as the two winners and Tyson were carried toward the victor's platform, where Chiron waited to bestow the laurel wreaths.