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Merlin was looking nervously at Percy at his side. The demigod had been sure to drag Nico, his cousin, into the question and to be able to make him disobey important Inferi Laws.
“Are you sure your cousin won't get in trouble for this?” Merlin couldn't help but ask. He would never put others in danger again because of his desire to keep Arthur safe. He had already made that mistake and ended up losing all his friends as a result.
“Don't worry, Uncle H would never put his son in danger.” Percy chuckled. “I mean, last time he just made him disappear into his room as detention, but that's completely normal, right?”
"Yes." Merlin murmured. “And you think Nico wants to break the law just to do me a favor?”
“Let's just say he owes me.” Percy murmured back, making Merlin frown, but he didn't have time to ask anything.
“Percy.” In the center of Central Park a boy was waiting for them. He was the typical emo kid you would see in New York or dark corners of all places. He had a brown jacket on, deep black eyes and black hair, kept slightly long around his ears.
“Neeks, my favorite cousin!” Percy smiled, walking over and pulling the smaller boy into a quick hug, who grimaced.
“I thought we had already discussed this.” Nico murmured back. “Either the nickname or your fingers. You can't have both."
"You say that, and yet..." Percy grinned, before ruffling Nico's hair and saying. “Okay, I have a favor to ask you.”
Nico frowned. “You don't often ask for favors. If it's about running the play again and making everyone think you're dead..."
“No, I've already done it three times, I have to change my style to make people cry.” Percy snorted. “Besides, I've already recorded Thalia and Clarisse's speeches about how awesome and brave I am. No, it's not about that, no. Do you know the story of Arthur and Merlin?”
“The famous king and the old sorcerer?” Nico blinked.
Merlin sighed. “I've been old three damn times ! Why am I remembered like that?”
“Blame it on Leon.” Percy answered him, before saying. “Okay, Merlin is this guy next to me.”
“He should be dead.” Nico murmured. “But I think he never will.”
“Death is just a social construct.” Merlin shrugged, making Percy laugh.
“Great, we have two Percys.” Nico sighed. “One wasn't problematic enough.” Then the boy looked at Percy unimpressed. “What do you hope I do? Convince my father to change Zeus's mind? I know your new friend has shocked the gods with his behavior..."
“And I loved him from then on.” Percy smiled dreamily. “No, Merlin says his Arthur-signal is vibrating, so the king must have returned. I would like you to take a quick look at the souls and check whether he has returned or not.”
“Arthur was from Celtic mythology. He went to Avalon, not the Underworld.” Nico murmured.
“Arthur was descended from Aphrodite through Aeneas.” Percy pointed out. “It is probable that he ended up in the Underworld.”
“Okay.” Nico grimaced. “The fact remains that it is against the Law and I would be grounded forever if I help you.”
“Hey, do you remember when you agreed to sell me to get information about your past without worrying about my health?” Percy tilted his head.
“I can't believe you went there .” Nico grimaced, shaking his head. “Well, I'll see what I can find. But if my father finds out about me, be prepared to answer him.”
“Your father loves me.” Percy smiled. “I'm sure he will help us.”
***
As they waited for Nico to return with his information, Merlin took a moment to observe Percy's eyes.
His eyes were particular.
On Olympus they had been green. When he introduced him to Leon, Merlin had sworn that his eyes were blue. Now, they were a greenish gray.
“What's wrong with your eyes?” Merlin suddenly blurted out, unable to contain himself.
"My eyes?" Percy asked, moving his gaze from the river to Merlin.
“They are changing color.” Merlin explained.
"Oh." Percy chuckled. “Gods, I forgot. My father is the god of the sea. My eyes imitate the color of the body of water closest to me. Also, I have found that they are very related to my mood. If I'm angry, they get darker. If I'm relaxed, they're clearer.”
"Oh." Merlin blinked. “I didn't even know it was possible.”
“Well, you didn't even know the Greek gods were in America, and yet.” Percy winked at Merlin, who smiled back.
“Do you think Nico will really help you?” Merlin asked. “What if Hades really gets involved?”
“What could be so bad?” Percy smiled. "Trust me."
Merlin should have known those words only meant trouble.
Trouble and embarrassment, otherwise Merlin couldn't explain why he and Percy found themselves sitting at the same table as Hades, Persephone and Nico.
“My son tells me you asked him to break my Law.” Hades murmured, looking at Percy with a raised eyebrow.
“The same son you asked to break the laws of hospitality and the ones that you break yourself?” Percy asked, raising an eyebrow. “I was a guest of your son and you hurt me, uncle. This goes against the Ancient Laws.”
Persephone giggled, covering her mouth with a hand, while Nico sighed heavily.
“Well, huh…” Hades blinked, confused, before saying. “Nephew, why do you want to know? You know it's dangerous."
“Uncle, I'm not asking you to find someone and ruin his lives.” Percy said. “I am not asking you to nullify the effect of the River Lethe on him. However, Merlin has spent his entire immortal life looking for his best friend. He already knows he's back. He just needs reassurement.” Percy licked his lip, saying. “Wouldn't you do it if you were in his place, uncle?”
Merlin stirred as Hades' gaze fell on him. He felt judged by the other god.
“You do not belong to the Greek pantheon, yet my nephew seems to find friends in foreign pantheons. The Egyptians, the Norse, and now even the Celts.” Hades sighed, before casting a tired look towards Percy. "Very good." Hades nodded. “I will personally investigate whether Arthur Pendragon has returned to the realm of the living. I can also see if he is alive currently.”
“May I ask… will he be different from what I remember?” Merlin asked, hope in his voice.
“His values will be the same.” Hades nodded. “The soul has not changed. But part of his personality depended on who he was. Where he was born, who surrounded him. He might have a different personality.”
“I don't want him to be the same.” Merlin murmured. “If he doesn't even remember, that would be fine with me. I don't want to see him suffer again. I just want to… see that he's okay.”
"Very good." Hades smiled. “Now, both of you finish your dinner and disappear from my domain.” Turning to Percy, the god murmured. “You spend too much time here.”
“Well, you can always rub it in dad’s face, since he never invited me over for dinner.” Percy offered, making Hades snort, Nico sigh, and Persephone giggle.
It wasn't a bad family, Merlin reflected. There were worse ones.