Alright, no one go into a panic. There's going to be a sequel to this because even I don't want it to end. The sequel will follow Percy as he struggles at camp and on quests without Nico, and Nico on his secret quest for Hades. But for now, let's see how the camp is reacting to Nico leaving, shall we?

…

Jason's POV

…

"And I think it would be a great idea to throw a sort of going away party for him on the day he has to leave," Percy confided in us later that day. It was the day after his Valentine's party, and he seemed a little more deflated than usual. Leo was currently perched on my lap, his head on my shoulder. He was tinkering absently with some sort of metal contraption, and he looked adorable. I kissed his cheek and he looked up at me, grinning.

"That sounds great," I said to him, toying with Leo's short hair as I talked. "I bet he'd love that. Would it be a total surprise?" Percy nodded and turned to talk with Hazel quietly. Leo stopped fiddling and looked up at me, pouting. I knew that Nico leaving was hard on him. After all, as he put it, Nico had become family. Without Nico… What would we do without Nico? "Do you need anything?" I asked Percy, who stared blankly at the wall. Hazel gently took his hand in hers, snapping him momentarily out of his funk. "Leo and I could run and get stuff if you need it."

"Yes," he croaked out, rifling in his drawer and producing a notebook and a pen. "Party decorations and food and…" He trailed off, and I noticed his eyes were a little more sea green than normal. "Whatever else you feel is necessary. I'll go back later and pick up something special myself." His voice broke and he stood, pounding the table with one fist. "Meeting adjourned," he said softly. "Please let me be." Our group looked at each other and most filtered off. Hazel shot Percy said looks as she left, Frank's hand pressed reassuringly to her back. Annabeth glanced back from time to time, worry written all over her face. Only Leo and I stayed. "Leo," Percy said softly. "Can I have a minute with your Jason?" Your Jason? This was serious. Leo shot me a look before climbing off my lap and heading out his cabin door.

"Are you okay Perce?" I asked, turning to look at him. His shoulders were slumped and his eyes were cast down. He looked utterly defeated. "The Great Percy Jackson looking like his best friend has been killed? It's not a good look for you," I joked. Despite how sad he probably felt, he smiled a bit.

"No, I'm not Jay," he admitted. "I'm torn up about this. I can't very well tell him not to go. Hades would tan my hide if I said so. But at the same time, the thought of sending Nico out there, were he could be harmed or gods forbid killed, it scares me worse than death. If he died, well, I don't know what I'd do. We've had our scrapes in the past, and we've said and done things that hurt, but at the end of the day, he's the love of my life and I don't know what I'd do without him."

"He'll be fine Perce," I said quietly, resting my hand on his knee, much like he did when Leo and I had our first fight. "He's a big boy now. He doesn't always need you. He might be thirteen, but again, he won't be that way forever. He's not always going to rely on you." His lower lips trembled and he glanced at my hand on his knee.

"I know," he said quietly. "I'm so proud of my shadow prince. He's come a long way in a month or two. I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend. It's just…" He trailed off and finally looked at me, tears flowing down his face. "What if I don't want him to grow up anymore? If him growing up means I'm going to lose him…" I wrapped my arms around him and held him as he shook and cried. It broke my heart to see the Great Percy Jackson reduced to tears. "Thanks Jay," he said. "Leo's waiting. Why don't you go get some stuff while I sort out my thoughts?" I nodded, released him, and joined Leo on the porch.

"Is he okay?" Leo asked, walking beside me as I left. "I guess not," he added when I didn't say anything. "He'll be fine eventually."

"I don't know Leo," I said, calling the winds. Leo held onto my waist as we began current hopping to the city. I clutched Percy's list in my hand, and somehow the physical paper made me feel a little better. "He was really broken when we left. If something happens to Nico, we might lose more than Nico himself." Leo and I travelled in silence for a while, and when I touched down in central park, Leo released me without a word. He looked as troubled as I felt about this. I glanced at Percy's list, which was vague and left room for improvisation. Yet I wasn't in the mood. "We're in Central Park," I said lamely. "Let's go find the carriages." Leo looked at me funny but followed me until we found them.

"Hello again," the same driver who'd driven me around last time said as we approached. "Who's this?" I took Leo's hand in mine and just looked at the driver. "Want a free ride?" he finally asked, patting the seat. Nodding, I helped Leo into the carriage and climbed up after him. The driver climbed up and urged the horses into a trot. Leo held onto my waist as he propelled forward. He slowly relaxed as we went around the park.

"This is nice," he said. "But should we be doing this while Percy's at camp alone with his thoughts and feelings?"

"He wanted to be alone anyway, to sort things out," I replied, leaning my head on his shoulder. All this emotion was draining me faster than I thought. "I don't think he'd care if we goofed off for a couple hours. He'd be glad for a chance to have Nico for himself anyway." I crumpled the list and gazed up at Leo, whose brown eyes were gazing down at me with concern. "We'll go shopping soon," I promised him. "I just want my own time to think. And I want to enjoy the fact you aren't leaving me too." He gazed down fondly at me, ruffling my hair.

"I'm not going anywhere without you," he promised, holding out his pinky finger. "Pinky promise." I dissolved into giggles and wrapped my pinky finger around his, kissing him until he couldn't breathe.

…

"This is when having the shadow traveling son of Hades comes in handy," Leo grumbled. I shouldered my big shopping bag and grinned at him. We were both weighed down with party supplies and we'd each bought a gift for Nico. Nothing big and nothing fancy, in fact they were common and practical. But he'd like them all the same, because they'd help him in the long run.

"Oh, taking a taxi back won't be so bad," I replied, setting down the stuff. "As long as we don't take the Grey Sisters taxi. Oh." I let out a short whistle, not one that would attract a cab. Storm clouds quickly swirled overhead, and a transparent horse appeared in front of me, looking at me quizzically. "Hey Tempest," I greeted my friend, running my hand down his stormy mane. He puffed steam and stomped the ground. He was in a good mood. "Mind giving my mate and me a ride back to camp?" I motioned to Leo.

"Mate?" he huffed. "I am your boyfriend, thank you very much." Tempest glanced at me.

"No, he's not intentionally being difficult. So, how bout it?" He whinnied and pranced in a circle. "Thanks big guy. Don't let Leo or the bags drop, okay?" He huffed and blew hot air at me. In three seconds flat I'd personally insulted my storm horse. "I know, I know," I said with a laugh, hefting the bags up again and climbed on his back. He was more solid than I realized. "Come on Leo," I said. He hesitantly climbed up behind me, clutching the bags to his chest. Tempest let out a loud whinny that sounded like a laugh, and he launched himself into the sky.

"Woah!" Leo yelped, hugging my waist for dear life. "Control your horse!" Tempest whinnied again and rode the currents, taking us swiftly back to camp. I closed my eyes for a couple minutes and let the wind slap my face. Up in the sky, I felt all my worries melt away, and it was just me, Tempest, and my overly scared boyfriend.

"Thanks for the lift buddy," I said as Tempest touched down outside of Percy's cabin (though how he knew where to set us I had no idea). He nickered, butted his head against my shoulder, then dissolved into a little puff of steam. "Show off," I muttered, watching as Leo sank to his knees and kissed the ground. "Airsick sweetie?" I asked innocently. He glared up at me and rose. "I'm going to check on Percy," I told him, kissing his cheek. "Thanks for going with me." I left him a little dumbfounded while I mounted the steps to Percy's cabin. I rapped gently. "Percy?" I called.

"Come in Jay," he called back. I swung the door open and found him sitting in the middle of a messy cabin. Clothes were strewn all over the place. It looked like the entire Aphrodite cabin had raided him and forgotten to clean up. Papers were torn in half and many more pieces and were scattered along the floor. A suitcase sat in front of Percy, open and empty. "Hey buddy," I said gently, maneuvering passed shirts and pants. "What did you do while we were gone?"

"I want to go with him Jason," he said, looking up at me. "I began to pack, but then I unpacked. I decided this is his quest. I can't baby him anymore. He needs to do this by himself. He's a big boy, he can handle things himself. That doesn't mean I won't worry about him and Iris-message him every night!" A little of the old Percy enthusiasm returned.

"Wouldn't have it any other way," I said with a laugh, hugging him.

…

Leo's POV

…

"You actually rode Tempest the crazy cloud horse?" Nico asked me. After my crazy adventure with Jason, I'd hunted the son of Hades down and sought his company. I drew my knees up to my chest and stared at him. "That's crazy man," Nico said with a laugh.

"Are you ready to leave?" I asked him, and the laugh died on his lips. He looked at me sadly and shook his head.

"Of course not," he said. "But what choice to I have? I can't say no to my dad. So I have to leave." He sighed sadly and looked at me.

"Look," I said. "I didn't want to give you this till Friday, but I feel you should have this now." I held out my gift for him, a Swiss army knife. He laughed and took it, testing its weight and balance. "It's nothing compared to your sword, but if you need, it'll come in handy."

"Thanks Leo," he said simply, slipping it in his jeans pocket. "It certainly will." I then found myself not knowing what to say to him. What do you say to the person you may very well never see again?

…

Okay, so we're one chapter closer to the end. I feel anxious and relieved and sad and a whole bunch of other things. Thank you, all my fans, for making my days brighter with your comments, favorites, and follows. Without you, I would've given up on this long ago.