Solangelo 2

WILL

The first few miles of the journey I'm focused solely on the fact that I am no longer in camp. Where I've spent so much of my life. It's exhilarating being somewhere new.
But soon enough, I look over to Nico who rides beside me on one of the sea creatures Percy called up, and see that he is having a horrible time. His arms are wrapped so tightly around the animals neck, his head lowered and eyes clenched shut. His skin is pale and I can see him muttering to himself. Knowing him, probably cursing in Italian.
Percy, however, seems more at ease than I've ever seen him. His eyes are shut too, but in a far more peaceful way. He looks a lot younger. Like he did when he first came to camp, before all his quests, and before Tartarus.
Every now and then I see Percy turn to check on Nico, clearly aware that he doesn't belong around water. I can see him concentrating, making the water calmer around Nico, talking to the creature Nico's riding on and making it go more gentle. Nico doesn't notice, still far too consumed in his own fear.
I'm not sure how long it takes us to reach the Roman camp, but the sight of it is a relief to Nico, who sits up and opens his eyes, smiling and looking to me.
Percy talks to the animals, getting them to pull in at the coast and drop us off. Nico gets off as soon as he can and wades through the water to the camp, still muttering to himself. A wave comes randomly and causes him to trip halfway in, making him completely soaking.
'Percy!' He says, standing up, drenched in water.
'Wasn't me. I'm sorry. Wasn't paying attention. Probably my dad.' He says, holding up his hands in apology. Nico continues muttering to himself in Italian, trying to rinse out his clothes.
'Can you tell them thank you from me?' I ask, resting my hand on the head of the creature that bought me here. Percy says something that I don't understand and the animals makes a seal like noise then head back into the water.
'They said they were happy to. They always are. I still always feel guilty. Normally I do a changeover on long journeys like this, but I know Nico hates that.' Percy explains as we wade out onto the shore where Nico is waiting with his arms crossed.
'Alright, come on, let's get you some dry clothes.' I say, linking arms with Nico and walking with him up to the camp. Percy trails a little ahead of us, clearly happy to be back.
'Alright, they're expecting us right?' He asks.
'Yeah, yeah. Hazel knows were coming today.' Nico conforms.
'So it's...one o'clock, Reyna and Frank should be in the Sentorian meeting. Hazel should be there. Jason too.' Percy says, 'shall we gatecrash?'
'I think we'd better.' Nico says. For the first time since getting onto land, I see Nico smile. Percy too. Despite the potential danger that bought them both here, they're both looking forward to seeing their friends again.
Nico always talks about them all. Never about anything in particular, and he rarely talks about what they had to do on their quest, but he always mentions them, saying that Piper would enjoy something we're doing, or telling a story that Reyna had told. It's clear that the group of them were incredibly close.
We head towards the main building without being stopped by anyone. There are so many people here that people aren't phased by seeing three people they don't know.
Percy rests his hand against the door and pushes it open, stepping into the room, Nico close behind.