MONDAY, 6th February

"Hi."

The voice behind her, while she searched for Annie's emergency USB stick in their locker, scared her half to death. Turning around, it took her a moment to get over her surprise, and answer.

"Nico, hi. How are you?"

He looked around uncomfortably. She didn't know if he was worried about someone thinking something about them talk or if he just wasn't comfortable around her.

"I'm... I'm fine. And I... I could use your... help."

"Okay...?"

Wow. Did you treat this kid that badly?

I didn't treat him badly. Things were just... complicated.

Annabeth, it looks like he'd rather swim in acid than talk to you.

Without saying anything, he thrust his phone in her hands. Picking it up, she saw a picture of a white kitten. Zooming in, she saw that despite being clean, the poor creature looked pitiful.

"He looks sick, did you find him on the street?"

He shook his head, still avoiding looking her in the eyes.

"No, not me. Anyway, I gave her food, but she didn't eat much."

"Is it a female?"

He shrugged, accepting back the phone when she handed it.

"It's what Google says."

"What do you need my help with?"

She thought he would just give up and bolt, but he mumbled an answer she was barely able to understand.

"... Percy mentioned that you now have a cat."

"Oscar, yes."

It surprised him enough to look her in the eyes, confusion in his expression.

"That's... an odd name for a cat."

"Annie chose it, not me. So, what about Oscar?"

He cast his eyes down again.

"How did you do it? I mean, how do I help her?"

Smiling more openly now that she knew what kind of help he wanted, she answered.

"First thing is to take her to a vet. I found one for Oscar who's quite good and not that expensive. I can call to set an appointment. As long as it is during my free time, I would gladly accompany you there."

As expected, he didn't respond immediately and she could see the battle raging inside him. In the end, he just sighed and slumped his shoulders forward, nodding in agreement.

"Thanks, that's good. I mean, that would be good. Nice."

The bell rang.

"I don't have time now, but I'll call before the next class and text you the details, ok?"

He answered her wave with one of his small and rare smiles.

"Yeah, thanks."

Just one question.

Yes?

Does your boyfriend babble about our life to anyone?

***

She cornered Percy the first opportunity she had, not bothering with skirting around the subject.

"Can I ask how the subject of Oscar came up with Nico? I thought he avoided speaking with us."

Percy kissed her forehead before shrugging.

"I think Frank told him about Mrs. O'Leary and he came to ask me if I'd taken her to any vet. I thought Cerberus was sick but-"

"Cerberus?"

"Yeah, he got a dog after the break and named it Cerberus."

That gave her pause.

"I didn't know that."

"I heard Hazel and that other girl that walks with them talking about it some time ago. Anyway, he said it was actually a kitten, so I said that you were more likely to know a good vet for cats."

WEDNESDAY, 8th February

"You didn't really have to do this."

Nico was waiting where they had agreed, the white kitten in his arm, smaller than she had imagined.

"Maybe. But there wasn't a reason why I couldn't do this. Come, it's this way."

He followed her silently, before murmuring a 'thanks'. Maybe because it was in the middle of the week, they were the only clients, except the one inside the vet's office. They sat side by side in the waiting room and the kitten cautiously turned to look at her, the high-pitched meowling begging for attention.

"May I?"

With Nico's permission, she reached out, allowing the kitten to smell her before she started petting it.

"She looks really cute. When did you find her?"

"Huh... last Friday."

"Are you going to keep her?"

Annabeth thought it was a simple question – as he had the kitten for almost a week to think about – but his expression made it clear he hadn't considered it yet.

"I- I have to. No?"

"Not if you don't want to. You can speak with the vet, they might indicate a shelter or maybe even a foster home since she's so small and will need more attention."

When she saw him going quiet, she knew he was likely discussing it with Nanni and didn't want to interrupt them. It only took them five minutes of wait to be admitted into the vet's office. She smiled at the vet, an older woman with such a calming air around her that even Oscar behaved.

"Hi, Dr. Manca. This is my friend Ni- Nanni, I made the appointment for a cat he found."

"Nice to meet you, Nanni. I'm doctor Agatha Manca. May I see the cat?"

With Annabeth's encouragement nod, he stepped forward and presented the white kitten.

***

The kitten's health was not as bad as it looked, but it was clear from its size, it was freshly weaned, and with the cold, it wasn't going to survive much longer if Nico hadn't found it. They were already outside the vet, Nico being as stubborn as she expected.

"That's already too much."

Annabeth shook her head, knowing it wasn't going to be easy convincing Nico to accept her help. She had offered to lend him some things that Oscar didn't use, like the first litter she bought, that was light enough so her cat had fun turning it upside down, forcing her to buy a sturdier one.

"Nico, you don't even know if you're going to keep the cat; it makes more sense to borrow than to buy, at least until you can decide. Or did you think you could keep taking her outside in the cold or cleaning all her wet spots? I can bring it to you in less than an hour."

"You don't have to, you already did more than you had to."

Annabeth sighed, hands on her hips. She realized honesty was the best option at the moment and looked him right in the eyes.

"I must admit, I didn't do it all out of selfless reasons. Actually, I did; but then I realized I'd like to ask a favor."

She never saw Nico's eyebrows raise that high before.

"... From me?"

"Yes. Is that okay?"

"... I suppose so. What is it?"

She made a pause before answering.

"I want to see Cerberus if that's okay with you."

It was obviously the last thing he expected to hear from her.

"W- What!? Cerberus? You- You want to see Cerberus? But... why?"

"Because the last time I did, I couldn't stay and couldn't say goodbye. He was so lonely, so..."

She cleared her throat, suppressing the emotions rising in her voice.

"... So happy to have someone to play with and I could hear his whines calling me, wondering where I had gone. I know that you now frequent the Underworld and gives him attention, I just..."

She gave up fighting her emotions, allowing her shame and sadness to seep into her voice, her eyes getting misty.

"That's your thing, isn't it? Cleaning our messes? Giving attention to those we forget after using them for our purpose. You gave Cerberus attention after I used his loneliness to help us pass the gates to your father's palace. You befriended Bob after Percy used his memory loss to help them defeat his own brother. You take care of Mrs. O'Leary when Percy isn't using her to shadowtravel. How many more are there? You're one of those, huh? 'The loneliest people are the kindest because they don't want others to suffer like they do'."

Nico looked at her in shock, gaping like a fish.

Now you see?

What?

You said it yourself, you abandoned Cerberus, and even though Nico gives him attention, it doesn't erase what you did; that's why you want to see him, you want to somehow make amends.

Yes, I know it's not the same Cerberus, but...

It's a start.

I guess.

Then if you think you owe that to a dog, a dog that is often considered a monster and to whom you had no real obligations in the first place, why did you think your father and step-mother didn't owe you to make amends? That pretending it was all in the past was enough.

After Nico had tried and failed several times to utter a coherent sentence, he gave up and just left, leaving her behind. She had thought that was a 'no', but a minute later received a text with his address.

***

It didn't take her long to go back to her house and gather all the things she thought he might need. And once she explained it to her step-mother, Helga was more than happy to help her get rid of anything that wasn't being used and even offered to give her a ride. Once she arrived, Annie asked her if she knew what she was going to say. Realizing she didn't have a plan, she was relieved when Nico didn't say anything apart from inviting her in. She helped him to position everything, giving him some tips about general behaviors she had picked up from Oscar, so he could know when to be righteously alarmed and when a simple modification could solve it. Only when she asked where was the kitten – so they could let her sniff at everything – she saw a small smile playing on his lips.

"She's with her babysitter."

Gesturing for her to follow, he opened the door to his yard and the scene that greeted them made her laugh. Cerberus, who was much bigger than she expected, was laying on his back; unmoving except for his head, that turned to accompany the tiny white furball who was happily walking over his belly. When he saw them, he gave them a dog smile and whined for attention, but didn't move to dislodge the kitten.

Babysitter? Looks more like a slave to me.

"He was the one to find her."

"What?"

"Cerberus. I let him out one night and he came back with her."

Annabeth didn't say anything, just looked back at the odd pair in a new light.

Well, now it makes sense.

What?

You asked if he's gonna keep her, he said he 'had to'.

Ah...

I mean, he didn't find a stray kitten, his dog adopted her.

When the kitten slipped and fell from Cerberus' belly, he got up, picked her in his mouth, and happily trotted over to them, offering the kitten until Nico picked her. Annabeth couldn't help but smile.

"Looks like he's willing to co-parent with you."

He didn't answer but she didn't expect him to, knowing he was still somewhat uncomfortable with her being there. Instead, she gestured to Cerberus, who was busy making circles around her, sniffing.

"May I?"

He nodded and she crouched, grinning when Cerberus thrust his snout almost at her face.

"Hello there, handsome. I'm happy to see you too."

THURSDAY, 9th February

When she didn't see Percy in between classes for almost all morning, Annabeth wasn't all that worried, but when she saw him with bags under his eyes and a vacant look, her stomach twisted in concern. Carefully laying a hand on his shoulder, she gently made him turn to look at her.

"Hey, you ok?"

He gave her a tired smile that did nothing to quench her worries.

"Yeah, don't worry."

"Percy..."

He dropped the smile and pulled her into a hug with one arm, landing a kiss on her hair.

"I'm fine, I swear. Just some stuff with... Peter's life. But I promise you don't have to worry."

She nodded reluctantly, allowing him to drop the subject, trusting him to call her if he needed help.

Flashback over, back to present

FRIDAY, 10th February

When Annabeth saw Percy after classes ended, the difference from the day before was huge. He looked healthy and relaxed, a smile playing on his lips and his eyes bright. Whatever happened, clearly made both Percy and Peter almost giddy.

"Hey."

She smiled back, unable to resist.

"Hey, you. Were you waiting for me?"

He nodded, trying to school his expression into something serious, not that he was that successful.

"Yes, I was thinking about asking you on a date kind of thing."

Of course, he is...

"... Ok, we're listening."

"Look what I bought the other day."

When he opened his oddly full backpack, instead of books or anything school-related, she saw a basketball.

"... What are you saying, Percy?"

He smirked and she could feel her heart jump at this.

"Do you think I could challenge you to one on one or you'd rather hide inside your room?"

She grinned, arms crossed and her hip cocked to the side.

"Like I would ever hide after such a blatant offense."

At least text my parents, the last thing I want is for you to put me in trouble with them.

***

She bent over, hands on shaking knees and lungs screaming with the effort.

"Tired?"

She could hear the smile in his voice but had no energy to raise her head and glare at him.

"Tired? Why would you think I am tired? Can't you see this body is in perfect Olympic shape?"

She was aware her lack of breath made her sentence sound mumbled, but he seemed to get the gist.

"Well, even Olympic matches don't go indefinitely. Let's rest a bit, gold medal."

He helped her move to the side and sit down next to their backpacks. She gladly accepted the water he offered, gulping it down while looking around them. Annie had said it was one of the smallest parks in the city, but it was well preserved, close to her house and it had a small basketball course. Apart from a couple walking their dogs and some kids in the playground, it was empty. She looked over at Percy, standing next to her and not showing any signs of having trouble breathing, which made her scowl.

"How are you not tired? There's no way Peter has your demigod resistance."

He laughed.

"He doesn't. It's just that Annie's resistance is reaaaally low."

Apart from a wordless sound of outrage, Annie didn't say anything, as she knew he was right.

"Tell me about it. I honestly thought I was about to pass out in our first kickboxing class."

He said beside her, as he knew she found it rude when people towered over her – not that she remembered it all that much when she was the one doing the towering.

"How is it going now?"

"Better. I don't feel like dying anymore. But I did think about killing once or twice."

"That cocky guy again?"

"Jake, yes. He's just sooo annoying. Did I tell you I almost nailed him in the head with a high kick the other day?"

He nodded with a smile, rubbing her back gently.

"Twice; three if you count that I was next to you when you told Jodi. But I can see how much pleasure you find in reliving that moment, so feel free to repeat as much as you want."

She gave him a quick smile before looking forward, nodding thoughtfully.

"It's a shame I didn't hit him."

"He deserved it."

"He did."

"And you would've knocked him out."

She smiled at hearing him parrot the words she had used to describe the episode.

"I would've, and it would've been beautiful."

He took back her water bottle, closing it and putting it inside his backpack. She leaned back a little and stretched her legs in front of her.

"Can you believe the other day when Sav tried a new kick and fell, he had the nerve to say it was her fat that pulled her down? Ok, maybe she's not a twig, but she's not fat!"

"Did you kick him?"

She frowned.

"No, I couldn't get an opening. But I did punch his solar plexus."

Beside her, Percy chuckled and she could feel his body's vibrations through the arm that was again resting on her back.

"Did he choke in his own air?"

"He did."

"Was it beautiful?"

She couldn't stop her grin from appearing, sighing her answer in reverence.

"Magnificent."

"How was your hand after it?"

Bold of him to assume there was a hand left after that. Even I could feel that pain and I had never punched someone before to know the feeling.

She snorted, making a face and remembering the excruciating pain right after.

"I was thoroughly convinced that cutting it off would hurt less than to keep it."

"You didn't get in trouble for punching him there?"

"I didn't use that much force. And I claimed I didn't know what I was targeting."

"Did they believe that?"

Annabeth gave him a haughty look.

"I might not be Piper, but I'm quite capable of making people believe me."

"Annie's noodle arms have nothing to do with it?"

"... Ok, maybe her non-threatening physic might've played a part."

SATURDAY, 11th February

Mr. Yamamoto, Jodi's father, had offered to pick up Annabeth and Barbara when Jodi had invited them to her house. It was a spacious attic, modernly furnished with glass, dark wood, and steel; which made the contrast with the colorful children toys and the vast child-safe adaptations funnier than it should have. Mr. Yamamoto invited them in, excused himself to move further into his apartment, and left them there to wait for their friend. When Jodi came to greet them at the front door, she did it by dragging a toddler who had latched on her right leg and refused to let go.

"Hi, you came! Like you can see, this one is the demon child, Akemi."

The three-year-old gave them a flat stare, before turning to her sister and start complaining. Annabeth and Barbara shared a surprised look when they realized they couldn't understand a single word. The surprise went up a notch when Jodi answered in the same way, bending down to try and dislodge her little sister.

I had no idea Jodi could speak another language.

They watched the exchange fascinated. It took Jodi almost four minutes to convince Akemi to leave and they watched the pouting toddler move away, presumably to her room. Jodi sighed annoyed and Barbara was the first one to break the silence.

"What was that?"

Jodi made a face and gestured for them to follow her into her own room.

"Sorry, that was rude. Akemi doesn't like to speak English in front of strangers."

"Then what language was that?"

Jodi snorted.

"Russian, of course."

Barbara squeaked in excitement.

"You know Russian!?"

Jodi opened her door and gestured them in, giving Barbara an incredulous look.

"Babs, it was a joke. It was Japanese; I thought it was obvious."

Barbara huffed and crossed her arms.

"Well, we didn't know you could speak Japanese."

"Really? The slit eyes, the hair so straight that all hairbands slide down and the surname Yamamoto didn't clue you in my heritage?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"We knew you had Japanese ancestors; we didn't know you'd speak Japanese."

Jodi shook her hair in disbelief.

"Still, it should be the first guess if you hear me talking in another language. A lot of immigrant children grow up bilingual."

Annabeth and Barbara shared a look before the latter nodded.

"... You're right, I feel a bit silly now."

Jodi remained silent for a few seconds before laughing.

"You really thought I knew Russian, I just can't!"

***

Barbara threw her cards in the air, yelling in frustration. Jodi whistled while pilling the chips on her side.

"Babs, please, never let Jay convince you to play strip poker, you'll be naked as a newborn in less than two minutes."

She paused, frowning.

"... unless, of course, that's your intention."

"I don't understand! I'm sure I'm not smiling or frowning; how can you tell I'm bluffing?"

Annabeth finished gathering the cards and started mixing them.

"It's not about having a smile or a frown, you need to be completely devoid of any emotion, tick, or body signs. It's not called 'poker face' all over the world for nothing, you know."

"But I don't have any ticks!"

Annabeth and Jodi answered in unison.

"You do."

Barbara fumed, looking from one to another before standing up.

"I give up. Jodi, get the Scrabble box, I'm going to wipe the floor with you both."

Is she any good at Scrabble or should we let her win?

Are you crazy? Go all in, she's merciless in Scrabbles. Remember, all her cousins are older. Well, two of them majored in English, she had unfair practice with them.

***

"That's not a valid word."

Barbara sent Annabeth a smug smile.

"It is."

Jodi scowled, crossing her arms.

"You're lying."

"I'm not and you can check."

"What does Periagua even mean?"

"It's a type of boat."

"It's not English, it's not valid."

"It doesn't have a translation, so it's used in the English language just like that, and as such, it's 100% valid."

A high-pitched scream cut their discussion short. Annabeth and Barbara turned to look at Jodi in alarm, who in turn only groaned.

"Don't mind that. Akemi decided she doesn't like baths and screams like a banshee every time."

"Are you sure she doesn't have a sensory disorder?"

Annabeth looked at Barbara in surprise, she hadn't considered it; but Jodi was already shaking her hair.

"No, she doesn't. She only screams when my father or I try to bathe her because she wants mom, who's sick and needs her rest. It's just a tantrum, not a disorder."

Another scream. Since Jodi was so chill about it, Annabeth tried to ignore it.

"By the way, where is your mom?"

"With her sister for a couple of weeks. Aunt Yua lives next to a hospital famous for their treatment of stomach cancer, so mom went there for some exams. By the way, are you hungry?"

Barbara bristled.

"Don't even try that, miss! We're finishing this match; I'm not nearly finished with you both."

***

After a heated debate about the merits of Mexican takeout against Thai, the girls ended up deciding on going to the market and buy ingredients to prepare their own sandwiches. Back in Jodi's kitchen, Barbara's eyes got bigger with each layer Jodi added to her sandwich. Even Annabeth was watching it a little wary.

"Jodi, are you sure that thing is edible?"

"Of course. Did you see me put any plastic or metal inside it?"

Barbara's face made it clear she was losing her appetite for her own sandwich.

"I think she means if that's palatable."

"Of course it is!"

Annabeth turned her body to fully face her friend.

"Jodi, you put mayo, ham, fish pate, olives..."

Barbara used a hand to cover her mouth, her face pale.

"... cheddar, cream cheese, sardines..."

I'm getting nauseous just to imagine.

"... mustard, wasabi, pickles and now sweet corn. There is no way this can taste good."

Jodi finished with a squirt of ketchup and closed her sandwich.

"The secret is in the proportion. Besides, when you grow up with those two dumbasses, they dare you to eat so many weird things that your taste buds get a little wonky."

Annabeth snorted.

"By wonky you mean non-existent."

Barbara had already pushed her own ham and cream cheese sandwich away from her.

"Jodi, this will put you in the hospital."

"Girls, I ended up in the hospital so much because of so many weird things they would make me eat that this sandwich is nothing except a divine gift. Pure ambrosia."

If ambrosia tasted like that, the demigods would rather die slowly than take a bite.

And no one would be able of blaming them.

***

Annabeth was helping Jodi with the dishes while Barbara put everything in the fridge when the latter let out a yell. Turning to see what had scared their friend, Annabeth saw Barbara stomping something they couldn't see on the floor, a stomp for each word.

"But. What. In. The. World. Is. This. I. Never. Saw. A. Bug. Like. This! What is it?"

Doing her best to hold in her laughter, Annabeth answered.

"At this point, I hope it's just a corpse."

Beside her, Jodi nodded solemnly.

"God saves us if there's a bug capable of surviving that many stomps."

Amen.

***

When Annabeth got home, it was heavily raining. Even though Jodi's father gave her a lift, the ten steps she took between his car and her front door were enough to make her wet and shivering from the cold. Inside the living room, Helga raised her eyes when she arrived, taking in her appearance and nodding towards the stairs.

"Ok, shower first. Your father took the boys out so you should be able to take a long shower without them bothering you."

"Thanks, later."

Two seconds after she entered the shower, it started. The endless heartbroken meowling.

What is this cat's problem!? Every time we try to get close to pet him, he looks at us like we're strangers 'who gave you the right to touch my majestic coat? How dare you, you should have your hands crushed for such crime!'.

'You fiend, go back to the deeps of hell and take those offensive appendixes you call hands with you!'.

But the moment we enter the bathroom or need to study or need to help mom he's all 'mommy? Where are you, mommy? Why have you forsaken me? I crave your warm embrace and my heart aches with abandon!'.

'You care not for me; I am but a forgotten soul fruitlessly begging for kisses and cuddles from my unjust and cold mother'.

Oh, my god, he still meowling, what does it take for him to just stop?

I would've loved to see a Shakespearan play rewritten from a cat's perspective.

Who thinks all humans are idiots because they were fighting among themselves instead of petting the poor forgotten cat.

***

The rain continued falling, but the wind had died down. Since her father and brothers were not back yet, Annabeth stole Bill's bean bag and took it to her room, placing it in front of her open window. Gathering a thick blanket and the tea Helga had prepared her, she made herself comfortable. Lights out, just calmly watching the rain.

I love this smell.

I do too. The smell, the sound, the chill. I love the rain.

As long as you're protected, you mean. I can promise you; the rain is no joke when you're in the streets.

I thought Thalia and Luke had a tent? Or several?

Usually, yes. Still, some were destroyed by monsters, and during quests, you don't always find a safe place or have enough money to pay for it.

A tiny meow to their side was their only warning before Oscar jumped onto the bean bag, carefully making his way towards her, sniffing her mug, and then, very slowly, snuggle close to her, purring before she even touched him. Annabeth could feel a smile pulling at her lips.

Oh, so now you want to cuddle.

We finally figure him out and he changes his MO. Of course.

A/N: I'm gonna bet that none of you expected to see Nico and Annabeth interacting (even though I hinted at it in my Reyna's A/N). With so many requests to see Cerberus and Mrs. O'Leary having a playdate, NO ONE asked to see Annabeth playing with Cerberus. Shame on all of you! She CRIED while leaving Cerberus, for heaven's sake! And I gave Nico a pure white cat because a black one would be just 'meh'. And I already have a name. Did the Percabeth in this chapter ease your heartache from the lack of it in Percy's chapter? By the way, if you need to punch someone and want to keep your hand, go for the belly or the nose (palm open, in this case, hit with the butt of your hand). The belly is soft and usually gets the person to lose their breath, and the nose is cartilage so it breaks and absorbs part of the impact. Don't go for the head. The skull is one of the thickest bones in your body and most likely WILL damage your small hand bones (which is why gloves are so important in boxing, either competing or training – hand wraps at least keep your broken bones in place so your hand won't be all mangled until you get it in a cast). I don't know if I should be advising you to NOT punch people, but I'm not anyone's mother (so far).