It's okay to be saved once in a while too.

         Percy and Peter were in California. Oakland Hills, California to be specific. After is was revealed to the world that Peter Parker was Spider-Man, the two boys had fled, for Peter's safety. SHIELD was helpful enough to put May Parker into protective services, but other than that, the boys had little to no help.

         Initially they fled to Camp Half-Blood, so Percy could get necessary supplies for their journey. Then it was a car-trip across the country in an attempt to get to the safe haven Camp Jupiter offered for former demigod families and such. Percy figured he could convince them to let Peter and himself in. It was just getting there that took forever.

         A familiar blue Prius with hoof prints on the roof. That's what the boys fled in. Peter stayed in the car except for bathroom breaks at near-empty gas stations. Percy took charge, bought the food, talked to the people, filled up the gas, drove across the country.

         If the circumstances had been different, it would've been really nice. The late nights when they were the only car on the freeway, the aux that Peter managed to wirelessly hook up to EDITH, the stars in the sky. It was surprisingly peaceful those nights. Peter would be in the passenger seat, the seat tilted back so he could lay down, a blanket and a pillow making him look like the abominable blanket-man, a giant mound in the passenger seat. Percy preferred to drive, he found it easier to concentrate, his ADHD having a good vent- not crashing. Fingers tapping the steering wheel, drumming in beat with the bass. Windows rolled down during the night, or when it was raining, allowing for the freshest of air. During the day, windows up and AC on. They only stopped when Peter determined Percy wasn't well or conscious enough to drive. Peter didn't have his license yet, and they couldn't risk getting pulled over and arrested.

         It was peaceful, except when it wasn't. They couldn't stay in one place for longer than two days. Not going to risk the media catching up to them, not to mention the monsters. Now that Percy was out of his domain of New York, the monsters were getting ballsier. The moment they stopped for a few hours it seemed a monster found them. Poor Peter couldn't see through the mist all too well, but made up for it with his Spider-sense. He wasn't able to see through the mist great, but his spidey-senses were. A mixture of Percy's intuition and Pete's sense kept them alive and barely ahead of the monsters.

         So yeah, getting to California was exhausting and Pete still hadn't recovered from his school trip and that Jake Gyllenhaal looking Mysterio bitch. Anyways, they were here now. Percy was very thankful for the Caldecott maintenance service tunnels being plenty big enough for the Prius.

        They pulled up in front of the Little Tiber bridge that led to the Principali. Percy, trying to be as respectful as possible put the Prius in park and waited for some Romans to show up, faithful they were already aware of their arrival. He was sure the moment there was movement in the tunnels that Reyna had been notified.

         Sure enough, a little ways away an entourage was making their way to the bridge, Percy and Peter parked on the other side. When the party got closer to the two boys, Percy exited the vehicle, but cautioned Peter to stay there until Percy said otherwise. Peter, being totally out of his wheelhouse just nodded. The moment they entered Oakland Hills, Peter had gotten very quiet. He was scared, who could blame him? His mentor was dead and his identity had been revealed to the whole world. Everyone who knew him was in danger and his life would never be the same.

         Percy gave him a reassuring smile before turning back to where the Praetors of New Rome and their entourage were gathered on the other side of the bridge. Percy had Iris Messaged them in advance, when Pete and him were first leaving New York, but they still had to awate the Praetor's and their advisors decision regarding the matter and how everything would work. Percy was already free to attend college in New Rome and live there for the rest of his life, but given that he was bringing a mortal with him, he wasn't sure how they'd react. He was more than prepared however to pledge himself to the Legion for the next 9 years if it meant Peter could stay and would be safe.

         Their generosity was much more than Percy expected. They- Reyna, let Percy know that the boys were being allowed to stay under the presumption that they would be good college students and wouldn't let their grades slip. If, and only if their grades slipped would be the only time they would be expected to pledge their service to the legion. (Or if there was an attack).

         Percy's relief was apparent, which was saying something, because he did not wear his emotions on his sleeve. As a matter of fact, he spent a good percent of the time since the Soul Stone in an attempt to mask his emotions.

         Percy turned back towards the car and gave Peter a thumbs up, the symbol that all was good and he could get out of the Prius and introduce himself. It was not the most graceful thing, since he had been in the car for several hours and needed a moment to try and get the stiffness out of his limbs, but he came forward and introduced himself to the leaders of the New Roman Legion, and their counsel. Percy explained the situation, do good in college or serve in their military. Peter didn't seem to mind the possibility of serving in the Roman Legion, it would be the first time in his life where he could be Peter Parker and not have to worry about holding back. He was strong enough to be in the legion if he chose, and it was like Percy sensed that. Percy directed his attention to Reyna once more, "Could we train with the Legion if we choose to? To keep our skills sharp?"

         Reyna observed the two boys, both a little ratty looking. Percy looking more like a scary skater hooligan than usual, neither of the boys had showered in days. Peter just looked rough. He was sporting a pair of sweats and a t-shirt he hadn't changed for several days. They both probably smelled awful, so it was good that Reyna, Frank, and the rest kept their distance. After an exchange between Reyna and Frank, they turned to look at the boys and nodded, "Of course," Reyna said. Her voice was light, but had the air of power to it. The Daughter of Bellona was not to be ignored or underestimated.

         Frank smiled and came forward, pulling his distant relative, Percy into a bear hug. (Without actually turning into a bear, that is.) He then turned to Peter and held out a hand, he was much taller than both the new arrivals. Peter shook his hand, his grip strength probably surprising Frank, it always surprised everyone.

         After that, the two boys got into the Prius and were escorted 5 miles per hour through the Principali outskirts, past the Field of Mars, and the Bathhouse, and to the city of New Rome. Percy mentally noted that the street in Elysium that he had met Evangeline at much resembled the city streets here. It was a beautiful city and families milled around, plenty of them stopping to stare at the little Prius with hoof prints in the roof. Many little kids pointed and laughed at the sight and both boys couldn't help but think of both Estelle and Morgan Stark. The two little girls were around the same age and the most important little gems in either of the boys' lives.

         Soon they were in the college town of New Rome. They could tell it was the college town because it drifted from families to young adults milling around between small shops and lecture halls. The college campus seemed pretty expansive, the lecture halls and buildings were nicely spaced out. Percy saw more than one little Vespa scooter, which brought a load of memories to his mind and a smile to his lips.

         They arrived at the apartment that would be theirs a few minutes later. It was more like 30 minutes, but ya know, a few minutes. There was a little garage that went below the ground that they had to drive into and out of straight onto the street, but Percy reckoned that they would probably walk most places, just like they used to in New York. Regardless, they parked the Prius in the garage and went to the ground floor. It had the front door that led to the sidewalk, a kitchen, a toilet-only bathroom, and a living room, it was small, but not cramped. The upstairs was just personal space; a bedroom, an open area, and a spacious bathroom. That's where the Praetors left them, to unwind and hopefully take a shower because they looked like total and utter bums. It seemed everyone in New Rome already knew the duo were a couple and therefore would only need one bedroom.

         Percy talked Peter into showering first, and then took all their clothes, (for all of them were terribly dirty) down to the washing machine, which was located in the garage. There was no dryer, but they were told they could hang their clothes to dry on any of the clothing lines outside attached to the walls of the building, or string some up inside of their apartment. Percy started a load of laundry and then started unpacking the rest of the Prius. They hadn't had much time to grab much or properly pack. Quite literally what had happened was Peter webbed everything (extra webs on breakable things), clothes got webbed, photographs got webbed, everything got webbed and thrown into the trunk and backseat of the Prius. After a couple hours of the first day, all the webs dissolved and they were left with total chaos in the back of the car. They slept on the road, unable to pay for any hotels. Things had gotten slightly organized, and by that I mean breakables eventually got moved into the trunk with padding like hoodies and such, and the backseat remained a pile of clothes. It wasn't the most comfortable thing to sleep on, but it was something.

         Soon there was the gentle rumbling of the washing machine and Percy unloaded the trunk. So much for unpacking 6 years ago. He had taken just about everything he had in his room, and he knew Peter had done the same. Slowly he brought their breakables and non clothing items upstairs. He was nearly done when Peter finished his shower and came out of the bathroom. Since all their clothes were dirty and being washed or waiting to be washed, Peter was wearing a complimentary bathrobe. He put a hand on Percy's bicep, "Your turn to shower babe," He kissed Percy on the cheek, "I'm gonna finish unpacking, okay? And once our clothes are clean, I vote we find some place to eat around here."

         Percy smiled at him and obliged. It was Peter's turn to unpack. He took out all the old photographs that him and Percy had acquired over the years, Percy's pics of him and his demigod friends, Estelle and his family, and Peter's pics of Evangeline, pics of Stark and himself, a picture of Morgan and Pepper and Happy, pics of his aunt and uncle. All the photos immediately made their way onto the mantel. He arranged them in a way that looked neat, but not cluttered.

         When the load of laundry was done, Peter hung the clothes out to try. It was so strangely domestic and weird but such a nice change from New York. Maybe having a fresh start wasn't so bad.

         An hour later they were dressed in clean clothes and exploring the streets of New Rome looking for a place to eat. Hand in hand, for the first time in months they were safe and relatively at peace.