𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

124

Hazel beckoned Nico over towards her and Frank.

He hesitated, then went over and kissed her forehead.

"Any new drama while I was gone?" Hadrian had fully succumbed to gravity, not even making an effort to stay upright. Jason just let him lean on his shoulder and tried to make him stand.

Jason looked between him and Nico, "Uh... not my secret to tell but... you might want to talk to him later"

"Talk?" Hadrian winked very badly, "Oh, darling I'm sure we'll do more than that- NICO DID I TELL YOU ABOUT BOB?"

Hadrian was trying to ignore it, the pure stress his brain was under trying to figure everything out. It was better to not think about anything, just let himself get wrapped up in friends. If he was left to his thoughts for even a second, he was afraid he'd turn to dust like all the monsters they'd killed.

He couldn't help but turn to look at Percy who was heavily leaning on Annabeth. Hadrian had spent most of his time in Tartarus looking at Percy. He looked like what Hadrian felt— complete and utter shit.

Percy had begun to feel like home, like an oasis in the desert, the only shelter Hadrian had for miles and miles. Percy felt like Damasen's cottage in the middle of Tartarus.

And Percy stared back like he understood every little secret Hadrian had been trying to hide since he was a little boy.

Hadrian could still feel the ghost of touch— Percy's lips on his own.

Gods, he wanted to kiss him.

Hadrian just smiled, ignoring the way Annabeth's arms were wrapped around Percy.

I like you. His lips itched to say it, just blurt it out. Here it was just them, just the demigods, just their friends. No more monsters, no more giants or titans or primordials. No more vampires or arai or poisons.

Hadrian almost couldn't believe it. After all, they'd been through, they were really back. He sighed, feeling all the tension leave his body. He was back. He was really back. Back without Kira, but back nonetheless. He tried not to think about them.

The ceiling shuddered. Cracks appeared in the remaining tiles. Columns of dust spilled down.

"We've got to get out of here," Jason said. "Uh, Frank...?"

Frank shook his head. "I think one favor from the dead is all I can manage today."

"Wait, what?" Hazel asked.

Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "Your unbelievable boyfriend called in a favor as a child of Mars. He summoned the spirits of some dead warriors, and made them lead us here through the passages of the dead."

To their left, a section of the wall split. Two ruby eyes from a carved stone skeleton popped out and rolled across the floor.

"We'll have to shadow-travel," Hazel said.

Nico winced. "Hazel, I can barely manage that with only myself. With seven more people—"

"I'll help you." Hazel looked like she was trying not to have a mental breakdown.

An entire section of tiles peeled loose from the ceiling.

"Everyone, grab hands!" Nico yelled.

They made a hasty circle. Jason on Hadrian's left and Annabeth on his right. The cavern collapsed, and Hadrian felt himself dissolving into shadow.

They appeared on the hillside overlooking a river. The sun was just rising, making the water glitter and the clouds glow orange, Hadrian tried not to think about how it reminded him of Tartarus.

But there were so many things Tartarus didn't have. Hadrian felt like he'd been resurrected from the dead. Colors popped up that he hadn't seen in days, sounds of water- actual drinkable water that didn't kill you, the smells of plants, the noises of children playing.

They were all alive and mostly whole. The sunlight in the trees was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He wanted to live in that moment—free of monsters and gods and Primordials

Then his friends began to stir.

Nico realized that he was holding Percy's hand and quickly let go.

Hadrian winked again and then collapsed.

The others joined him. The Argo II floated over the river a few hundred yards away. Hadrian had even missed Coach Hedge. He wanted to call for the violent satyr. But at the moment, the group was too tired to do anything except sit and relax and marvel at the fact that they were okay.

They began to exchange stories.

Frank explained what had happened with the ghostly legion and the army of monsters—how Nico had used the scepter of Diocletian, and how bravely Jason and Annabeth had fought.

"Frank is being modest," Jason said. "He controlled the entire legion. You should've seen him. Oh, by the way..." Jason glanced at Percy. "I resigned my office, gave Frank a field promotion to praetor. Unless you want to contest that ruling."

Percy grinned. "No argument here."

"Praetor?" Hazel stared at Frank.

He shrugged uncomfortably. "Well... yeah. I know it seems weird."

Hazel kissed him and Hadrian made retching noises "It seems perfect— Hads please I know you're the furthest thing from a prude"

Hadrian just grinned at her, "I love love"

"I think Cupid here, is a little out of it" Percy chuckled fondly. Hadrian didn't miss the way Nico flinched.

Leo clapped Frank on the shoulder. "Way to go, Zhang. Now you can order Octavian to fall on his sword."

"Tempting," Frank agreed. He turned apprehensively to Percy. "But, you guys... Tartarus has to be the real story. What happened down there? How did you...?"

Percy leaned forward and laced his fingers through Hadrian's.

He felt like he could eat the world raw. Like there was some hope left after all. They'd make it through, they'd defeat Gaea. And maybe, even if Kira was really gone, Hadrian could learn to love again.

Maybe... just maybe, for once, heroes could be happy.

He wanted to try.

Hadrian looked at Percy. He'd be the first, the first who fought the odds. He wouldn't let himself be a tragedy.

Then Hadrian happened to glance at Nico and saw pain in his eyes. Hadrian pulled his hand out of Percy's, refusing to offer an explanation.

"We'll tell you the story," Percy promised. "But not yet, okay? I'm not ready to remember that place."

"Yeah, Tartarus was... a shitshow to be as concise as possible" Hadrian agreed, "Right now, I just want to get drunk, maybe eat donuts— gods I missed donuts and showers and... toothpaste and..." He gazed toward the river and faltered. "Uh, I think our ride is coming."

Everyone turned. The Argo II veered to port, its aerial oars in motion, its sails catching the wind. Festus's head glinted in the sunlight. Even from a distance, Hadrian could hear him creaking and clanking in jubilation. Gods he missed his home, his room, his amazing clothes, his record player, his camera, and of course— the rainbow stuffed fish and the shark.

"That's my boy!" Leo yelled.

As the ship got closer, Hadrian saw Coach Hedge standing at the prow. He wanted to hug the goat too. He was just so fucking happy.

"About time!" the coach yelled down. He was doing his best to scowl, but his eyes gleamed as if maybe, just maybe, he was happy to see them. "What took you so long, cupcakes? You kept your visitor waiting!"

"Visitor?" Hazel murmured.

At the rail next to Coach Hedge, a dark-haired girl appeared wearing a purple cloak, her face so covered with soot and bloody scratches that Hadrian almost didn't recognize her.

Reyna had arrived.