Author's note: I'm sooo sorry it took so long to update. It was hard writing this last chapter, trying think of how to end it. Along with that I've started reading Kane Chronicles (which is really good so far) and trying to survive the end-of-the-school-year chaos. There's going to be another author's note at the bottom for more info on what going to happen now. Without further delay, here is the final chapter.

Chapter 17: The feast.

Nico shielded his eyes. Why was camp Jupiter so bright? His eyes didn't have time to adjust before there were arms reaching down for him. At first, he thought it was Will. How was he up so fast? But then he saw the buzz-cut blonde hair and the glasses.
Jason looked half excited, half worried. "Why are you covered in dirt? Where have you guys been?" Jason asked helping them up.

"To hell and back." Will said cheerfully.

Jason gave Nico worried look that said "could you explain what he just said?"

"Persephone brought us down there to figure out what was wrong with Hades and then we told her the war was over, which she didn't know because my father didn't tell her on purpose. Then she started chasing so we ran and hid with Hades for a while. Then she sent skeleton servants to find us and bring us to her. They dragged us out of the hiding spot and into the throne, where Hades begged for her to let Will and I go. She agreed but made us do garden work. Then, after we were done, we came back here." Nico tried to summarize everything that had happened in the past day.

"Uh..okay. well, glad you're back then. Hazel was freaking out. She's also freaking out because of how much there is to do before the feast. You disappearing didn't help much. I'm not quite sure if she's ready to slap you or hug you to be completely honest." Jason said calmly.

"Thanks for the heads up." Nico said, now on his feet. He then turned to Will. "Let's go see my sister. Then, we can go see about that trip to the bowling alley."

Jason walked away, saying something about lots of shrine to build, and they strolled toward New Rome. Part of Nico almost felt guilty for walking so slow, knowing his sister was somewhere freaking out about him, but just passed all the temples and arenas with his boyfriend felt good.

Boyfriend. The word was still new, foreign to Nico. Just thinking about the word made him grin ear to ear and made his heart pump like wild. Nico thought it was ridiculous that one word could do this to him

Will took Nico's hand and Nico felt a bright red blush take over his face.
A question crossed Nico's mind. How? How could Will like him? How did that even make sense?

As Nico and Will strolled back to camp Jupiter, hand in hand, Will telling bad jokes the whole way to make Nico laugh, Nico decided those questions didn't really matter. What mattered was that Will did like him, and Nico liked Will.

...
Will couldn't help but smile when he saw Nico's sister drop a bunch of plates when she saw her brother. She came at Nico, running at full speed. Will was more than surprised when Hazel enveloped both of them in a hug.

"Thank Pluto, you're back and, well, alive. You two almost worried me to death." Hazel said with relief. "Where have you been? You were here at dinner yesterday and then just...gone." she drew away looking at Nico for an explanation.

"We took a walk and then Persephone insisted on disturbing us." Nico proceeded to explain everything that had happen in the past several hours.

"Well, at least you're back. I couldn't hope for anything better." Hazel embraced them both again. "Just try not to get sucked into the underworld again. The feast is less than two days from now and I swear by olympus, I will not have one of the most important guests trapped in Hell."

"Ill try my hardest." Nico laughed. Gods, Will loved the sound of his laugh. He just wished he could hear it more often.

"You and Will should probably go rest. It sounds like you've been through quite a bit and I don't want either of you collapsing from exhaustion." Hazel said, steering them toward the guest barracks

Will wanted to argue that he felt fine, but he knew that would be a lie. it truly was hard to ignore the exhaustion he felt. He was healer and he had to admit that even healers had to lie down and rest sometimes.

Will wasn't very surprised when he and Nico laid down in their bunks and Will heard Nico start snoring almost instantly. Will couldn't help but smile when he looked over and saw the death boy, sound asleep, cuddling with his pillow. Will felt the urge to go kiss Nico on the forehead but he managed to resist.

I swear sometimes this boy tries to adorable on purpose. Will thought to himself.

Soon, Will drifted off too, still smiling.

...
Two days later

The feast was more lavish than Nico had expected. He had been to a camp Jupiter feast once before, way before the war started. It hadn't been nearly as great as this one. This one truly was a celebration.

The Greeks who didn't have togas already were given white ones embroidered with gold to show they were a guests of honor (which Nico thought made Will look really cute but he'd never say that out loud). Nico still had his black toga from his days as "ambassador of Pluto". It didn't hang off of him quite as much as it used to, which Nico decided to take as a good sign.

Nico sat right next to the end of the table, jammed between Reyna and Will. He felt himself turn scarlet when Will took his hand under the table. Though Will held their hands under the table, their relationship wasn't anywhere near a secret, not after their date at the bowling alley. Everyone at both camps knew by now.

Nico had even received an iris message from the Apollo cabin, half a congratulations, half a threat. In the iris message, Will's brothers had even given Nico a lovely tour of the abundant supply of bows and arrows they had and what they could do to no specific son of Hades.
Reyna gave a short speech about the brave missions that the honored guests had been through. She made sure to dedicate a good portion of her speech to Nico and coach Hedge, giving herself almost no credit.
She ended the speech with a simple "thank you."

Frank stood up giving a speech that lasted no more then 3 sentences and then said "Let the feast begin!"
Food magically appeared on the golden platters in front of them and no one hesitated to fill up their plates.

...
The feast ended right before sunset. Will and Nico sat on one of the highest hills in camp Jupiter. The view was amazing. The setting sun cast a golden light upon everything in its path. Will was sure this was perfect.

Until he looked over and saw Nico frowning, staring at the ground. "What's wrong?" Will whispered softly.

Nico twisted his skull ring, hesitant to answer. "It's just...I don't want to end up like my father and Persephone. I'm not even sure if Persephone loves him anymore."

"We won't end up like them. I swear on the River Styx." He pulled Nico in for a hug, resting his arm on Nico's shoulder.
They sat there, watching the sunset until it was completely dark.

The end

Author's note: Okay again, I would like to apologize for the long wait. This story initially was supposed to have a much darker plot, but it just never happened. I do plan on writing more fan fics in the future but it might take a while. I've got a lot of rough drafting to do. Just keep watch for a new fanfic from me if you liked this one. I'll try to start a new one as soon as possible, depending mainly on how long it takes to rough draft. Reviews and maybe even ideas for my next fic are more than welcome (I'm thinking of doing a series of one shots. I might even decide to also do a Kane Chronicles fic). I wish all of you good luck and I'll see you in my next story. Bye!