3 Days to Fall in Love

22- Nico

Time to go.  But how would I get there? It's too deep to shadow travel... I sighed, leaning my head back against a wall.  Maybe I could fly... no. Too dangerous. I groaned. I'd have to go through the Underworld.  All of a sudden, a very loud thud shook the ground from outside.  I glanced outside.  Already people were swarming around the source, and I quietly joined them.  What I saw... astounded me. 
"WHOO! GUESS WHO'S BACK, BABY?! THAT'S RIGHT, LEO'S BACK!"  Contrary to the other campers groans, I couldn't help but smile at the sound of his voice.  Leo and I had really hit it off when he first came.  We hung out a lot, even though he was mildly annoying, and I was the first person he showed Bunker 9 to.  When he talked about his mom, or not being understood, which was rarely, I was the only one he talked to.  It hurt a lot when I felt his death, but the feeling only lasted a second.  Then it was okay, which is strange.  Usually it stays a while, to confirm the death.  I slipped to the front of the crowd, my small physique helping me.  He was standing next to a big metal dragon, helping a girl slide off the side. 
"Welcome to my home, Cal." He smiled, and she smirked.  "Guys, this is my girl Calypso."  She surveyed the crowd, and I noticed her eyes lock on one particular person. Percy.  He grinned sheepishly.
"Leo!" Piper shoved to the front.  She looked at him for a moment, then tackled him in a hug, her face wet with tears.  He put his arms around her too, his face in her shoulder.  I could tell that they were really close- best friends for a while before they came to camp.  She held him a bit longer, then let go and hugged him again. 
"Gods Leo, you scared me to death."
"Well actually, Pipes, it was my death." 
"Not the point." She reminded him, and he laughed sheepishly.
"I missed you too."  Then Jason came over and gave him a hug, too, but not like Pipers. Leo's eyes flickered to me.  I smiled at him, a real smile, then I slipped away.  I waited for the crowd to disperse before approaching.  After a while, it did. 
"Hey, Valdez." I said from over his shoulder with every intent of scaring him. It worked. Leo jumped, then whizzed around.  He sighed in relief when he saw it was me.
"Nico." He gave me a bone crushing hug, and surprisingly, I let him.  I even hugged him back. When he broke away, I looked to the ground.
"Listen, Leo."
"Yeah?"
"Will- Solace, you know him? He's... my boyfriend. So Jason was possessed by an eidolon, and he poisoned him.  I have to go and see the goddess of poison and misery to get a cure.  So I know you just got back, but goodbye. Wish me luck."
"Oh... okay.  Wait a second. Isn't she in Tartarus? Where you have to drink the fire?"
I nodded. He looked at me, dead serious.
"I'm going with you."
"What?!"
"Just.. hear me out.  Okay, so it's super hot down there.  I can absorb the heat so you're ok,  and if you need anything I can build it. It's only safe, too.  I'd have your back." I sighed.
"Okay." Leo ran back to tell Calypso.  She seemed shocked, but I assumed accepted it because she kissed him and he waved goodbye. 
"When do we leave?" He asked.
"Now."