You'll Learn to Love Me

Chapter 69: The Stars

Laylana climbed up to the ship and rushed down to her room. Nico was just getting out of bed when he laid eyes on her. 

"Laylana," He started.

"No, don't." Laylana stepped forward and pulled Nico in for a hug. He tensed, not expecting the girl to hug him, but wrapped his arms around her nonetheless. "I just want you to be safe. Please, do not do anything stupid."

"You know I can't promise that." Nico muttered. "This level of shadow-traveling is dangerous. Especially the jump across the sea." 

"I know. But I believe in you." Laylana pulled back and rested her hand on Nico's cheek. "When everything is done... I'm coming with you." 

"Laylana," Nico protested.

"No!" Laylana insisted. "I've had enough of being at camp, everyone knows this. Maybe some time away, wherever you want to go, will help me. Even if that means staying in the Underworld for Gods knows how long. I'll still come back to see my family but... I need time away." 

"Are you sure?" Nico asked. "I don't want you coming just because of me." 

"I'm sure." Laylana half-smiled. "My family will find a way to survive without me. Percy has Annabeth. Mom has him and my step-dad. But... Nico, you have me. So if you want a travel buddy, if you don't change your mind before then, I'm here."

"Okay." Nico decided after a moment of silence. "Maybe traveling together wouldn't be so bad." 

"Maybe not... I'm sorry." Laylana said, her expression softening. "I shouldn't have been so harsh earlier..." 

"Don't be. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you." Nico hugged her again, quickly pulling away. "I need to get ready. You'll see us off?" 

"Of course." Laylana smiled as the two of them made their way up to the deck. 

The sun was just beginning to set. Laylana found some spare rope and her and Nico stood next to the statue, tying the ropes together to form a halter, and tied it to the Athena Parthenos. Laylana looked up hearing footsteps approaching them, and saw Percy.

"Thank you," Percy said.

Nico frowned at him. "What for?"

"You promised to lead the others to the House of Hades," Percy said. "You did it."

Nico tied the ends of the ropes together, making a halter. Laylana passed him her end of the rope. "You got me out of that bronze jar in Rome. Saved my life yet again. It was the least I could do. Plus, you're Laylana's brother. I couldn't just abandon her."

His voice was steely, guarded, but Laylana smiled anyway. Laylana knew that Nico was no longer the geeky kid from Westover Hall with the Mythomagic cards. Nor was he the angry loner who'd followed the ghost of Minos through the Labyrinth. He was still figuring himself out, and maybe their journey together after this would help him realize who he was.

"Also," Percy said, "you visited Bob..."

Percy told Nico and her about his and Annabeth's trip through Tartarus. Laylana guessed he figured if anyone could understand, Nico could. And he knew that Laylana would try her best to understand, noting that she spent a lot of time with Nico while he was on the ship. 

"You convinced Bob that I could be trusted, even though I never visited him. I never gave him a second thought. You probably saved our lives by being nice to him." Percy finished the story, managing a half smile.

"Yeah, well," Nico said, "not giving people a second thought... that can be dangerous."

"Dude, I'm trying to say thank you."