𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

96

"And when the stench of the sea and the absence of green" Hadrian still sang, he tried not to look at Percy or think of the green of his eyes, "Are the death of all things that are seen and unseen"

"Not an end, but the start of all things that are left to do" 

"Wasteland, baby, I'm in love" Hadrian had to work hard to make his heart not race, "I'm in love with you"

"That's it"

Hadrian decided the monsters wouldn't kill him. Neither would the poisonous atmosphere, nor the treacherous landscape with its pits, cliffs, and jagged rocks.

Nope. Most likely he would die from an overload of weirdness that would make his brain explode.

First, he and Percy had had to drink fire to stay alive. Then they were attacked by a gaggle of vampires, led by a pretty vampire whom he'd killed only a couple months ago. Percy also asked him to sing for some reason. And finally, they were rescued by a Titan janitor named Bob who had Einstein hair, silver eyes, and wicked broom skills.

Sure. Why not?

They followed Bob through the wasteland, tracing the route of the Phlegethon as they approached the storm front of darkness. Every so often they stopped to drink firewater, which kept them alive, but Hadrian wasn't happy about it. His throat felt like he was constantly gargling with battery acid.

His only comfort was Percy. 

Percy who had plunged into Tartarus with him. Percy who laughed at his jokes. Percy who knew him best. Percy with his green eyes that still had their spark. Percy with his troublemaker grin. Percy who was straight. 

Hadrian cleared his throat and looked away.

"Bob knows what he's doing," Percy promised.

"You have interesting friends," Hadrian murmured.

"Bob is interesting!" The Titan turned and grinned. "Yes, thank you!"

The big guy had good ears. Hadrian would have to remember that.

"So, Bob..." He tried to sound casual and friendly, which wasn't easy with a throat scorched by firewater. "How did you get to Tartarus?"

"I jumped," he said, like it was obvious.

"You jumped into Tartarus," he said, "because Percy said your name?"

"He needed me." Those silver eyes gleamed in the darkness. "It is okay. I was tired of sweeping the palace. Come along! We are almost at a rest stop."

A rest stop.

Hadrian couldn't imagine what those words meant in Tartarus. He remembered all the times he had relied on highway rest stops when he was homeless.

Wherever Bob was taking them, he hoped it had clean restrooms and a snack machine. He repressed the giggles. Yes, he was definitely losing it.

Hadrian hobbled along, trying to ignore the rumble in his stomach. He stared at Bob's back as he led them toward the wall of darkness, now only a few hundred yards away. His blue janitor's coveralls were ripped between the shoulder blades, as if someone had tried to stab him. Cleaning rags stuck out of his pocket. A squirt bottle swung from his belt, the blue liquid inside sloshing hypnotically. 

On the way Percy explained Bob's backstory. But noticing he had incredible hearing, Percy played charades for a few words.

Thalia Grace, Nico di Angelo, and Percy had worked together to defeat Bob on the banks of the Lethe. After wiping his memory, they didn't have the heart to kill him. He became so gentle and sweet and cooperative that they left him at the palace of Hades, where Persephone promised he would be looked after.