Chapter 47 – Finally Returned to Camp
The soft afternoon light filtered through the elegant curtains of the hotel room in Rome, casting a warm glow over the rumpled sheets and the two figures tangled together in bed. After a few hours of deep, contented sleep, Dante finally decided to wake up. He shifted slightly, feeling the comfortable weight of Annabeth's head resting peacefully on his chest, her dark brown hair splayed out like a brown halo. He looked down at her with a tender smile and said softly: "Dear, it's time to wake up."
Annabeth stirred slowly, her gray eyes opening in confusion at first, blinking against the light. She looked up at Dante, rubbed her face affectionately against his bare chest like a cat seeking warmth, and murmured sleepily: "Is it already time for us to go back?"
Dante caressed her butt gently under the sheets, his touch light and loving, then leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips, saying: "Yes, it's already time. And we're even a bit late. After all, it's already afternoon now—the sun's high outside."
Annabeth returned the kiss with a lazy smile and said: "Well, it's your fault for not wanting to let me go all night."
Dante smiled playfully and said: "Well, it wasn't me who said 'keep going, don't stop, don't stop' over and over."
Annabeth gave a light punch to his chest—more playful than hurtful—and said: "Don't put the blame on me now. You were just as eager."
She then placed her head back on Dante's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat for a moment, before asking seriously: "Seriously, we didn't use protection. If I get pregnant, what are you going to do?"
She looked up at him, her expression a mix of vulnerability and curiosity, wanting to know the real answer.
Dante looked at her and said with a mischievous smile: "Well, I think I'll follow the family tradition of the Greek gods and go out to buy cigarettes."
Dante was about to laugh and say it was a joke when Annabeth suddenly grabbed his dick hard, squeezing just enough to make him freeze. She looked at him with a sweet but dangerous smile and asked: "Repeat that again? I didn't hear what you said."
Dante felt his body go cold instantly, a chill running down his spine. He then looked at her wide-eyed and said quickly, before she could twist or do anything worse: "I was joking, dear. Do you really think I'd leave you or our child alone? It was just a joke—bad timing, I know."
Annabeth then looked at Dante closely, searching his golden eyes and seeing that he was telling the truth. She smiled, released her grip gently, and said: "Well, you shouldn't make those kinds of jokes. I got a little angry, understood?"
Dante, hearing that, twitched the corner of his mouth nervously and thought: If that was just a little angry, I don't even want to know what she does when really angry. Well, better avoid jokes about running away from kids in the future. It's a very sensitive topic for demigods who get abandoned at every turn. I don't want to wake up one day without my balls.
Dante then pulled her closer into his arms, kissed her neck softly—trailing light kisses that made her shiver—and said sincerely: "Sorry. This was your first time and you asked me that serious question. I shouldn't have joked with the answer. But I promise: even if you get pregnant, I'll take care of both of you. I'll never leave you alone. Is that answer good?"
Annabeth hugged him tightly, kissed him happily with relief and affection shining in her eyes, and said: "Yes, I liked that answer much more."
Dante picked her up like a princess—effortlessly, her naked body light in his strong arms—and headed toward the luxurious bathroom with its marble floors and large shower, saying: "Well, now let's take a shower. After all, we have to go back to camp today—can't stay in this paradise forever."
Annabeth wrapped her arms around his neck and said wistfully: "Well, I really wanted to stay a little longer. Unfortunately, we still have the quest to complete—and the world to save."
They then went to the bathroom, the steam soon filling the air as hot water cascaded from the rainfall showerhead.
Arriving there, Dante decided to play a little more with his girlfriend—teasing touches turning into passionate caresses under the warm water, leading to another round of intimacy that echoed with moans and laughter.
After about two hours of moans coming from the bathroom—steam fogging the mirrors, water splashing playfully—Dante and Annabeth finally finished showering, both glowing and satisfied.
After getting dressed in fresh clothes and packing their bags carefully—folding souvenirs from Italy with smiles—they were ready.
Dante looked at Annabeth, radiant even in simple camp attire, and said: "Let's go."
Annabeth took Dante's arm securely, leaning into him slightly, and said: "Well, let's go. I've already packed everything. There's nothing left."
They then went downstairs to finalize the hotel payment at the elegant reception desk, settling the bill with a credit card and thanking the staff for the wonderful stay.
Leaving the hotel, they walked hand in hand through the bustling Roman streets one last time—enjoying the afternoon energy, street vendors, and historic sights—heading to an isolated spot on the outskirts to use his power to return without drawing attention.
While walking along a quiet path lined with ancient ruins and cypress trees, Dante looked at Annabeth holding his arm tightly and said warmly: "So, did you like our date? Was it everything you dreamed?"
Annabeth said smiling, her cheeks flushing slightly at the memories: "Yes, I liked it—a lot. I just didn't think things would happen so fast between us. It was intense."
Dante looked at her seriously for a moment and asked: "Do you regret it? Think it was too fast?"
Annabeth then got close to his face, her gray eyes locking with his golden ones, and started kissing him passionately—deep, lingering kisses full of reassurance and desire right there on the secluded path.
After a few minutes of losing themselves in the kiss, she separated from him breathlessly and said with a teasing smile: "Does it look like I'm regretting it to you?"
Dante smiled widely, relieved and happy, and said: "Well, looks like I overthought it. So let's go—back to reality."
Finally arriving at the isolated spot—a quiet grove away from prying eyes—Dante opened the shimmering portal with a wave of his hand, the familiar ripple of spatial energy humming softly.
He looked at her one last time in the Italian sunlight and said: "Ready?"
Annabeth said confidently: "Well, let's go."
They then crossed the portal hand in hand, stepping back into the familiar grounds of Camp Half-Blood—the fresh pine-scented air, distant sounds of training, and the hill overlooking the cabins welcoming them home.