Three months without doing anything interesting.

Nico had spent three months without any missions, nothing at all, and it was boring and agonizing. New campers arrived all the time, which was good, but not entirely, since he and Will were the only "veterans" at camp.

Besides you.

You were a longtime friend of Nico's. Quiet, mysterious, sometimes a little more cheerful, but always seemed more like a shadow than a person. You lost your siblings, spent years at the Lotus Casino, and now you were there, as if nothing had happened. Nico loved spending time with you because you understood each other's trauma. From time to time, in the dead of night, you would meet at the lake, watching the crystal-clear waters while talking about the day, or what you planned to do. But, since Nico returned from the mission, you've been acting strangely, more distant and withdrawn.

Chiron told you about the mission you had undertaken, how you had confronted almost your entire past while you were away, and how this resulted in you no longer being the same. You didn't speak, you didn't laugh, you just left the cabin and observed the barriers, as if, at some point, a monster would appear there. The chocolate balls (which were Nico's cacodemons) always seemed to want to be near you, which was kind of scary... Today was a day that this monotonous life would change, when, in the middle of the dining pavilion, Hazel's Iris message appeared, saying that she needed to deal with "new guests," and, of course, Nico wouldn't refuse, after all, she was her half-sister. Will would obviously go with Nico on this "mission," but Nico wanted you to go, just this once... You didn't like the Roman camp at all, but Hazel always lifted your spirits, plus you loved the training there.

That night seemed too cold. Nico would be leaving early in the morning, and he wanted to ask you to come along, and he knew exactly where you were. His steps were slow towards the lake, the cold wind forcing him to put on a coat before leaving cabin 13. His eyes lit up when he saw you, but two chocolate balls landed on the shoes of Hades' son. Loneliness and anger. You leaving him alone on the days Will wasn't there, the anger of you being away... He ignored all of that, his voice trembling as he called you.

"You know", — His voice sounded hoarse, but with that perfect Italian accent. ..."I don't think the cold is good for you."

.... "I just wanted you to come with me. We could talk again... It's been months..."

The Italian's eyes fell upon his body, pale but in good shape as always. Bandages covered his legs and arms.

"Just this once. Try again. Like old times."