Disclaimer: I do not own anything besides the basic plot.

Main Pairing: Nico/Percy

Summary: Set after the war with Gaea. Tartarus has taken a greater toll on Percy than he thought. The war with Gaea is what consumed his time; now that it's over he has too much time. When he realizes what the price is for being in Tartarus he isn't so sure that he was glad to survive.

Chapter 11: Everybody Loves a Quest

NICO

First things first, Nico and Percy had to at least tell his Mum what had happened to the son of Poseidon. Nico knew that Percy would have regretted it throughout the quest if he didn't tell her. So here they were standing awkwardly in front of the apartment building waiting as Percy garnered the courage necessary to go in and tell his mum. Not only that he was now blind but also the fact that he and Nico were now an item and Nico was dreading the second part more than first. They had agreed to leave the part about going on a quest out and opted to tell her that they were going on a vacation together. They both hoped that it would work.

"Ready to go mio bello?" Percy gave a short nod.

Together, hands held tightly the couple made their way to the door of Sally's apartment. Dread filled Nico has he wondered what Percy's step-Paul would say. He really didn't want to go through the awkward talk about relationships and if he ever hurt Percy, like he would ever, talk. Damn, this was so going to be awkward. Nico watched in slow anticipation as Percy dug his key out of his pocket.

"Hmm, you want to unlock it for me can't seem to see the keyhole." Nico chuckled at the little joke that anyone else might find a little terrible. He took the key and before he could unlock it the door swung open to reveal a smiling Sally.

"Boys you're here!" She frowned. "Why are you here?"

Nico watched as her eyes looked her son up and down. When she saw her sons' eyes her own widened and tears welled before she stepped onto the little porch and hugged Percy close to her heart. At that moment Nico's own heart nearly burst with sadness. Seeing the emotions swirling around in Sally's eyes was almost enough to have him clawing and ripping at his shirt while screaming how sorry he was that he couldn't do anything to help him.

Soon they were both ushered inside (Percy was nearly carried inside). Sally sat them on the small sofa while step-Paul came from the kitchen with steaming cups of what smelt like mint tea. Even though step-Paul wasn't Percy's real father Nico could clearly see that the mortal man wasn't pleased with the condition of his favorite (and only) step-son. Nico took both cups and gently placed the warm cup in Percy's already outstretched hands, no doubt he had smelt it.

"So, hi mum, Paul." Percy nodded in their direction with Sally sitting right next to her son on the sofa. "As you may… or may not have guessed I umm am blind now, nothing really new."

"How can you go blind, no how can they let you go blind after all you have done for them?" Paul didn't sound pleased.

"Of all the things the gods have thrown at you I must say this is indeed the icing on the cake."

"It's nothing like that mum. They didn't really do it to me. Tartarus is what did it, that place…"

"The question is, are you ok?" Sally took her sons hand while he had the teacup in the other and held it tightly rubbing little circle on the back with her thumbs.

"Yeah I actually am… thanks to Nico." Sally's mood changed and she raised a suggestive eyebrow at Nico.

Step-Paul shifted and stood up to his full height and dammit Nico had to admit for facing so many monsters and crazed demi-gods the mortal was kind of intimidating. There was that and the fact that Paul took this dad business seriously and no doubt he caught on to Sally's eyebrow raise.

"Yes, that is why the two of us came today. Other than to tell you what has happened to Percy. We both thought you would like to know about his blindness in person rather than in an IM." Nico straightened as he spoke while a cold sweat gathered on his palms became clammy.

"So, you two are dating eh." Gulping Nico came face-to-face with an evil-eyed Sally. "Who gave you two permission to date?" This, Nico never expected. Damn that woman put things together fast.

"Mum! Stop teasing him and stop being embarrassing." Sally's evil-eyes turned into a full-fledged smiled.

"Congratulations! I honestly thought you two bozos might never get together."

"Mum!"

"Oh lighten up, this is good news in light of what had happened to you sweetie and as your mother it is my duty to tease you two and let you die of embarrassment. Isn't that right Paul?"

"Yes, of course. By the way Nico, if you ever hurt Percy in any way I will come after you. I don't care that you're a demi-god and have strange powers I will still beat you to the best of my abilities." Gulping Nico nodded while hating the small chuckle that came from Percy. Damn it, why did he have to find Paul intimidating at all.

Soon, led by their stomachs, the group had moved into the kitchen. With the mention of food both Percy's and Nico's stomachs growled in unison. That earned a laugh from Sally as she announced that they would have to stay for lunch. Of course they had agreed. Percy had tried to convince them that he could help prepare the meal but none of them would have it. He was to sit like the pretty little thing he was and not lift a finger. Needless to say a certain son of Poseidon was not happy.

With Nico being all sexy half-Italian of course they had to make some mouth-watering pasta dish that smelled of basil, garlic, and oregano. Several times Percy had expressed how he was simply going to drop dead if the pasta didn't get in his mouth right this minute. Time after time Sally and Nico had told him to just be patient.

"How about now, is it ready now?"

"No, quit your complaining and wait."

"But it smells so good! Come on can't I have a teeny weeny little bite?"

"No, now be patient like the rest of us please."

"I can't because I am hungry and I need to eat like right now or I might have to start eating the table."

"Here you can at least have some juice while you wait."

"At least someone loves me." Percy took the cup that was pressed into his hands by Paul. At this moment they would almost do anything to shut him up and the ideas that came to Nico's mind were hardly all audiences.

Keeping his laughter to himself Nico watched as Percy emmidielty perked up when he heard the clinking of plates. A smile spread on those delicious lips as a plate was set in front of him. If it weren't for Sally and Paul it wouldn't be the pasta that was getting eaten for dinner. That was a dinner that Nico would love to sample.

"Finally, I swear you guys were just trying to starve me. So cruel." When Percy got the first taste no other words left his lips besides moans of pleasure that Nico would prefer in a more intimate setting.

"After this are you two going back to camp?" Sally took a sip of water.

"No, we are going to Venice for a little vacation."

"Will you be safe there?"

"Yup, I will have Nico with me and don't worry we aren't the only ones going." Both of them hated lying to Paul and Sally but Percy didn't want either of them to get sick with worry over their wellbeing or worse, get their hopes crushed when they couldn't find Iaso.

"My sister, Hazel, will be joining us with her boyfriends."

"I don't think I've met her. Oh I would love to meet her nonetheless." Sally smiled kindly at Nico.

"How about when we return, maybe we could all stop by."

"I would love that. So when are you two leaving?" Nico got the impression that Sally knew her son was attempting to pull a fast one on her.

"Oh right away, Leo will be here to pick us up in about…" Percy looked Nico's way for help with the time.

"20 minutes."

"Oh and Leo is one of Hazels boyfriends, awesome guy who invents awesome things. Wouldn't doubt that the firebug is made of pure awesome." It was only Leo who Nico could tolerate Percy complimenting, partly because the little ball of fire was pretty awesome and because he meant so much to his sister. Now Frank was a different story…

"How will you be traveling? I can't imagine you two flying." Percy hadn't noticed but Nico had, Sally was fishing for information. She was a sharp one.

"Oh, flying ship of course. The Argo II, totally awesome by the way. It's really awe inspiring when you see it with the big golden dragon head. Hmm, well I won't be seeing it this time… although I wonder what colour…" That's right, they hadn't told Sally everything. Not that Percy wanted to, it was hard enough to explain and he, again, didn't want to give her any inkling of false hope of her son ever seeing the light of day again.

"Flying ship, that is impressive. I am guessing this thing is ready to take on an army of monsters at a moment's notice." And this, Nico thought, is why Poseidon liked her.

"Totally is, monsters wouldn't even see it coming… not that I would either mind you." They all had a good laugh at Percy poking fun at himself.

After dinner was finished and dishes washed it was time to say their goodbyes. Sally was the first one to cry as she hugged and kissed both boys on the cheek while Paul hugged Percy; he only shook Nico's hand while reminding Nico that he knew places to hide a body. This time Nico so wanted to tell him that his hiding places were 100 times better but he thought better of poking fun at his boyfriend's step-dad.

Nico glanced at Sally while he helped Percy get his shoes on. That woman totally knew that something was up. It made Nico feel bad for lying to her but it was Percy who said that he didn't want to worry her more than she was already. Grabbing his boots Nico swiftly pulled them on while Sally and Percy had another moment to just hug the life out of each other.

Now at his side Nico held Percy's hand as they left the apartment. The Argo II, which Nico could see, was waiting with a rope ladder hanging down. Normally Nico wasn't a worry wart but he had his concerns when it came to the blind son of Poseidon. Especially when it came to rope ladders where Percy could possibly loose his grip and fall to the ground. If he told Percy he was worried he would probably get a glare in his general direction and a missed hit to his arm. It's not like he could ask Percy to cling like a monkey to his back either.

"Wow, I wish you had my eyes right now because that is really something."

"What do you mean?"

"The Argo II, it has like a soul of its own. Mostly thanks to Festus I would say but it's huge and beautiful. It kind of reminds me of Leo's soul in a way." All right so maybe Nico forgot that Percy could "see" in his own special way.

"Hmm, looks like a regular old' flying ship to me." He glanced down at Percy who rolled his sightless eyes.

"As I said, I wish you had my eyes right now. It really looks different, more beautiful."

Stopping at the rope ladder Nico gently guided Percy's hands to the first step. The Sea Prince got the idea and slowly started making his way up with Nico on his tail. Not that Nico minded either he had a perfect view of a very nice ass. At the top Leo pulled Percy up onto the deck and once Nico was up the rope ladder neatly folded itself away into a little cubby hole.

"So any idea of where to start looking?" Leo asked while walking with Percy away from the edge. Who knows, one fowl bump and bye-bye Percy.

"I think, according to what Will said, we have to go to Greece." Once the word left Percy's mouth he had a feeling that nothing was going to go right. Then again why would it? They were all demi-gods after all and nothing went right for any of them. If his dream with Tartarus was any indication what this "trip" would go like then Percy didn't even want to think about it.

Nico watched Percy's fists balled up and how he quickly released them. There was something he was not telling him. He would have to ask him later and make sure to get a straight answer out of him. Hopefully Percy wouldn't try to be the hero and keep it all to himself. That's what being boyfriends meant, you shared those things with each other.

"Everyone else is in the mess hall, they'll probably want to know if you Mum bought it. Did she?" Percy just smiled as a response letting Nico lead him down to the others.

PERCY

It was strange being on the Argo II without eyesight. Even though he was supposed to be blind Percy could still see others souls or auras and surprisingly the ship had a heart of sorts. He had heard how Piper had pretty much told the dragon, Festus, how they loved him and how the metal dragon had responded to that as if a living being. So it almost didn't come as a shock to see the lively aura surround the massive ship.

If Leo would allow him Percy would like to live in the ship. Being out where regular buildings didn't have an inkling of life in it the Argo II practically hummed with it. Solid walls of iridescent gold which were constantly shifting yet seemed to remain solid gave Percy a sense of independence he hadn't felt since this whole blind thing started.

"Really Nico, it's absolutely stunning in here. I never thought that Festus would be alive this way."

"I'm sure it is to you but it looks like a regular hallway to me." Nico thought he would have to lead the way but Percy was pulling him along with little "ooh's" and "ah's" now and then.

Together they entered the mess hall where Percy spotted his friends sitting in the chairs no doubt… or standing, it was hard to tell.

"How did it go with Sally? Knowing her she probably figured it out, you don't have the best of poker faces." Annabeth took Percy's free hand while she spoke.

"Yeah, I think she knew so I tried to give her as little information as possible. She certainly suspects something is going on especially since I came home blind, with a boyfriend, and announcing I was going on a trip." Percy looked a little worried. If his Mum knew then no doubt she would be biting her nails wondering when and if her son would come home and if he came home in what condition he would be in. No, this wasn't the time to let his mind wander Percy needed to focus.

Who knows if there were other seats but according to Nico there wasn't so know the Sea Prince was seated in Nico's lap. Not that he was complaining or anything but there were probably enough seats for all of them in the mess hall. But on the bright side Nico made an extremely comfortable chair.

Letting his eyes scan the room he saw Annabeth and Reyna sitting together with Jason and Piper to the left while Hazel and Frank sat on the other side of the room closer to Percy. Will was off in a corner no doubt because of the glares coming from none other than Nico. When Leo came in he was swiftly placed on top of Franks lap with a yelp. Great everyone was here.

Now it was the hardest part, how to bring up the dream with Tartarus and see who wanted to back out now. Percy wouldn't blame them if they jumped ship. Tartarus was something to be feared and if that malevolent force wanted to stop their journey then he couldn't ask them to put their and the lives of their loved ones in danger it just wasn't fair.

"Great, everyone is here correct?"

"Yup all of us."

"Great because I need to let everyone know of some dreams I've had." Nico arms snaked around his waist and held him closer. "It had to do with Tartarus."

"You don't need to say any more Percy every single one of us agreed to come on this quest and you can't do or say anything to make even one of us back out." Sometimes he really wanted to just hug Reyna although she would probably kidney punch him for it.

"Exactly and if you remember when we agreed to come you had already said something about Tartarus not making it easy for us. If you remember Seaweed Brain you already told us about your dream before we left so we know exactly what we're getting ourselves into." Gods he was so worried about telling his Mum that he would be going on a "vacation" that he had totally forgotten about the conversation they had before they left. Needless to say he blushed in embarrassment.

"Don't sweat it, telling your Mum probably wasn't the easiest thing to do especially when you're being vague and cryptic about the details." He wondered what would happen if he hugged Jason…

"Gods you guys… are the best." It felt like a million pounds had been lifted, Percy had been stressing about how to tell them about the dream but it turns out he already had. It was times like these when he deserved his nickname.

"Course has been set for Greece, let's just pray that we don't meet too much trouble." They all knew that there would no doubt be a lot of trouble and some monsters hungry for some tasty demi-gods.

…

A/N: Well putting this chapter didn't go as planned and I feel that it really sucks but it will get better. I feel bad for taking so long but suddenly I got extremely busy which I wasn't expecting, usually it's pretty mundane over here. But eh, here it is in all its craptastic glory.

I figured Percy would forget about telling everyone about his dream and such what with telling his mum so yeah. Doesn't hurt to make him blush every now and then either although it didn't turn out as well as I had it in my head. Anyway, until next time bye-bye.