Suspicion

Percy Jackson

I have to admit I wasn't expecting to see Thalia and Nico today. I mean I love seeing my cousins and all but seriously. They just showed up randomly at my bar with no thought of the fact that I was AT WORK!! 

I led the way to the alley behind the Sea of Monsters. I leaned against the wall with my arms crossed and waited for them to speak. 

"No, hello?" Thalia starts. 

I flip her off to signal that I'm not in the mood. Thalia gets the message. 

"We want you to come back home," she said. 

"No," I said, firmly. We'd had this conversation before. I've lost track of how many times, but we have it a lot. Most of the time it's only one that comes, but sometimes, like now, both of them come, and I get berated by double the pleas that I don't want to hear. 

"But-" Thalia protests. 

"Thalia, I've lost track of how many times you two have tried to convince me to come back and let me tell you there is nothing that could change my mind." The words came out a little harsh, but Thals and Neeks had thick skin. They'd be fine. 

"We just want you to be safe," said Nico. 

I sighed. "I am safe. I have a nice, quiet life. I couldn't ask for more." 

"You could," said Nico quietly. 

The fact that he was right nearly cracked the walls I'd so carefully constructed. Because there was something that I could ask for. Something that would make me feel so much better. I wanted my Wise Girl back. 

All three of us were quiet for a long moment. Of course, I had to be the one to break it. 

"You two are still the only ones who can find me right?" 

Nico and Thalia nodded. "We haven't told anyone where you are," Nico reassured me. "Though Grover's being quite a pain in the ass about us not telling him." 

I smiled a little at the thought of my best friend being so worried about me. "Tell him, I'm fine and that he doesn't need to worry. Also tell him that I can take care of myself. I always have." 

"Really?" Thalia scoffed. "We've had to save your hide more times than I can count. But considering it's you I shouldn't be surprised." 

"I think we've all saved each other's hides a dozen times over," I said. 

"That's why we need you to come back," said Nico. 

I scowled. "There's nothing left for me there, Nico. After Annie died . . ." I trailed off. Even after two years the memory of that fateful day still haunts me, and I hate even thinking about it, let alone talking about it. 

Thalia and Nico seem to understand. Thalia pulls me into a hug, and I hug her back. What surprises me is that Nico joins in as well. I hold my cousins as close to me as I can. Knowing they were still alive and well had been one of the few things that had kept me going the last two years. Losing them would probably be the end of me. 

I pull out of the hug before I can start crying. "I should probably get back to work." I said. 

They nodded and said their goodbyes. They wished me well and were on their way curtesy of Nico's shadow traveling. 

I walked back in the bar to see Pietro waiting for me. "What was that about?" he asked. 

For a second I internally panicked over the fact that he might have overheard the conversation between me and my cousins. 

"Did they want something from you?" I relaxed a little at that. 

"No, they just wanted to chat about some private matters," I explained. It wasn't technically a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. "You know some personal stuff." 

He nodded. "So, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out some time. Maybe catch a movie or something?" 

"What?" 

"Or I can always just stop by while you're working, and we can talk then," he finishes quickly. 

I give him a small smile. "We could go for coffee tomorrow if that sounds good?" 

Pietro's whole face lit up. "Really?!" He blushes and clears his throat. "I mean, yeah, that sounds nice." 

I laugh and shake my head. I couldn't help but find his awkwardness adorable. Honestly, it was something I could get used to. "I'll meet you around nine tomorrow," I said. "And if you want to know, the bar doesn't open until 3 and mainly gets busy around 8 or later. Especially on game nights." 

Pietro smiled at the information. "Thanks, I'll see you tomorrow, Jake!" 

"Bye, Pietro," I called after him as he sped out the door.