Greetings! Here is my version of the story with a slight twist. Things to note is that for the start of this story, I'll be adding small twists here and there but still following the story as Rick has written it. Only for the later chapters will I stop following the what Rick Riordan had originally intended and use my own vision.

Things to take note is that in this story, Nico is still gay but not for Percy. The name that Nico gave Eros in his palace was Will Solace's. Also, Thalia, Nico and Percy have a sisterly/brotherly relationship here.

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus.

Hazel LXXV

Shadow-travel is not fun.

The wind bristled in her ears, a cold feeling creeped her skin, not to mention the unknown sounds coming from the dark. An overall feeling that Hazel would like to never experience again.

They reappeared on the hillside overlooking River Acheron. The sun was just rising, making the water glitter and the clouds glow orange. The cool morning air smelled of honeysuckle.

To her riaght, was Frank holding her hand tightly, and to her left was her brother, Nico. Hazel let go of the breath she didn't realise. Clytius has been defeated, there are no monsters that want their blood, and Percy and Annabeth are back.

In front of her Leo staggered backwards, "You know… I think I'll sit down."

He collapsed, with Jason, Piper, Frank and Annabeth following suit. The Argo II still floated over the river a few hundred yards away.

Hazel knew that they should signal Coach Hedge and tell him they were alive. How long were they in the temple? A night? Several nights? At the moment, they couldn't care, the group was too tired to do anything except sit back and marvel the fact that they were alive.

Percy stood in front of Hazel, leaning on Riptide, for support. His leg covered in blood, if he was in pain, he didn't show it. The sitting demigods were in-between from where Hazel and Percy was standing.

Nico took a step forward, eyes closed, fists shaking.

Nico walked till he was just a feet away from Percy, who capped Riptide. He looked Percy in the eye.

"You. Are. An. Idiot!" Nico yelled at Percy. "What were you thinking when you were hanging on that ledge? Do you have death wish? How could you just let go? Such an idiot!".

"Nico…" Jason started. Turning to Jason, Nico said with venom, "Shut it, Grace."

Hazel watch as Nico turned back to Percy. "Do you know how worried I was? I lost sleep wondering if you were alive! I… I…" Nico's voice faltered at the end.

"I was scared" Nico whispered, then he embraced Percy in a bone-crushing hug. Percy who had been silently taking all of Nico's words, hugged him back with as much emotions.

"Thank the gods." Hazel heard Nico murmur into Percy's blood stain shirt, "I… I wasn't ready to lose you, after Bianca, I can't lose anymore of my family…"

"Hey now, relax Neeks," Percy spoke softly, running his scarred hand through Nico's hair. "After all this, you, Thalia and I are gonna have some double cheeseburgers at the hotel on West 57th, just like old times."

The two of them stayed like that for awhile, grasping each other like they're each other's lifelines.

"Am I missing something?", Leo asked, looking around the group. Piper punched him on the shoulder, "Let them have their moment".

Percy and Nico let go of each other, Percy whispered something in his ear and Nico nodded. Was there something they were keeping from us, Hazel wondered.

"I didn't know the Ghost King would have feelings or would engage in physical contact," Percy teased Nico.

"I-I have feelings, I just thought that you'd leave" Nico stammered, his ears turning pink. Percy grinned, bringing Nico back in, turning him and putting him in a head lock, then ruffling his hair. Nico tried to escape his grasp but Percy continued ruffling his shaggy hair, messing it even more. Nico made sounds of protest, while Percy gave a hearty laugh.

The rest of the seven smiled at the two boys, at the moment they looked like brothers, and acted like brothers.

"I think our ride is here," Annabeth said, regrettably ending the brotherly fun. The Argo II veered into port , it's aerial oars motion, its sails catching the wind. Festus's head glinted in the sunlight.

"That's my boy!" Leo yelled.

As the ship got closer, Hazel saw Coach Hedge standing at the prow.

"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 Hazel almost didn't recognise her.

Reyna has arrived.