When Hazel's dramatic flares had faded in the latest camp gossip, Nico felt safe to eat in the dining pavilion like normally. Hazel sat at the other end of the table, with her boyfriend Frank, leaving Percy space to come eat with him.

"Why blue food, Perce?" Nico inquired.

"What do you mean?" Percy asked, taking a bit of a blue pizza slice.

"I used to think it was just a Poseidon kid thing, but I wonder… why do you want all your food to be blue?"

Percy shrugged, "'Cause my mom always made me blue food for my birthday, or some special occasions. I dunno, I've just always liked the sentiment of it."

Nico nodded in satisfaction at the response, "I like black food."

Percy rolled his eyes, "Ha ha so funny."

Nico chuckled but shook his head, "No, really. Burnt food. Because my sister, Bianca, would always cook, but had no idea how, so our food always ended up overcooked. I got used to it. I miss it. Ain't no meal like my sister's burnt home-made pizza. Even calling it from the dining, it doesn't come out the same…" He got a little lost in thought, but Percy just smiled at the look in his eyes, of sorrow yet pride and a sense of home.

…

"Mm, fuck, Percy~"

At that sound, Annabeth froze in her tracks. Was that… Nico?

Not with Percy, is it? No way the rumors are true, she thought to herself. However, almost immediately she heard a response to Nico from the other side of the cabin wall.l

"What's my name?~"

Annabeth blushed, and turned to walk the opposite direction. Yup, she said to herself, definitely my ex.