Percy smiled sheepishly as he went with Hazel, Frank, Reyna and Octavian. His ass was still burning from the spanking Mars had given him, but it was a pleasant, somehow comforting feeling. Octavian had one possessive arm wrapped around his waist and judging by the looks the other three Romans were giving them, it was highly unusual for the augur to behave that way.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble like that", sighed Percy. "I'm sure it's not very usual for someone to anger the gods like that... it's probably not good for you to be seen with me..."
"The claimed champion of Venus, who not only has her attention but also Lord Mars', who is one of the highest valued gods to us?", chuckled Reyna ridiculed. "I think your company will not just prove to be valuable but also highly entertaining."
"We really don't mind", smiled Hazel softly. "You're kind of funny. And we fought well together, didn't we? I'd... like to be friends with you. Oh! You have to meet my brother!"
"Yes, you really have to meet her brother", snickered the daughter of Bellona teasingly.
Percy raised one eyebrow, but didn't dare to question it. The augur next to him stiffened with displeasure. That was where he had seen that brooch before. On Nico di Angelo's black robes. Did that mean this blasted son of Pluto knew Percy? Was Percy's lover? Octavian glared, he was not very set on sharing his pretty pet with that boy of all people, or anyone for that matter.
"Rey? Rey, where in the world is everyone? Where's my sister?"
"Oh, Nico", huffed Reyna and rolled her eyes as they neared a distant figure. "Your sister is capable of taking care of herself. Aside from that, we brought you... a little something that you may like."
Percy cocked his head curiously. Camp was dark, the sun had set and he could barely make out that there was someone in the shadows to begin with. This must be Hazel's brother?
"Perseus", continued Reyna, a certain edge to her voice. "Before you leave to... bond with Hazel's brother, you should know that you're going to need your sleep. While you were with Lord Mars, we contemplated the quest together. A quest should be taken by three and aside from Hazel, Frank decided he would like for you to come with them. If that is alright with you."
A slightly upset frown appeared on Percy's face. He had only just arrived there. He had hoped he could spend some days just sleeping and relaxing, not being on the chase. Looking at Frank and Hazel though, he knew what to do. They looked helpless and desperate, they probably have never been on a quest before and somehow Percy felt as though he had been on many quests already. They were his friends, the first friends he made since he left the wolves. He needed to help them.
"Okay", nodded Percy slowly, still a little unsure.
Hazel heaved a relieved sigh and nearly jumped him to hug him. Grinning slightly, Percy returned the hug. It felt good, just holding someone, being close to someone again. She gave him a feeling, one he knew, one he remembered and associated with blonde hair and gray eyes.
"What's he doing with you guys?", grunted a handsome Italian, glaring at Octavian.
Percy blinked from between Hazel's curls, looking shyly at the gorgeous guy that had approached them. Reyna was giving him a cheeky smirk as she turned to the guy and hugged him briefly.
"Octavian seems to be... well behaved today", whispered the daughter of Bellona. "And your boy-toy is the reason for it, I suppose. I would prefer for you to not rip our augur apart for having his dick where you want yours to be."
Confusion clouded Nico's mind as he stared at his best friend questioningly. Keeping his arms around her, because he didn't trust Octavian to be around Reyna, he turned to look at his sister. This was an odd group of people. The praetor, the augur, his sister, her boyfriend and... The boy being hugged by his sister, but that couldn't be true. After all these months of searching.
