Hey guys. Well, this is it. The very last chapter of My Prince of Shadows. This is my longest story yet and my second completed multi-chapter fic. I'm happy it's loved so much. And I'm glad I have fans like you guys, whom without I wouldn't ever write again. Thanks for making this memorable and I hope you all enjoy the very last chapter of My Prince of Shadows. Let the show begin….

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Percy's POV

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It was The Day. The day Nico left for his quest for his father. I woke up alone in my cabin, something I would indeed have to get used to when he was gone. I lay in bed for an hour because I was up for the sun, just thinking about life and about my precious shadow prince. How grown up he was getting! I would miss him dearly.

"Come on Percy!" Jason called, pounding on the door. It was six, and Nico was scheduled to leave in about three hours. Which means we had half an hour to decorate the entire camp for his departure. "We've already started. Why don't you come help?" Sighing, I tossed my blankets aside and rose, already wearing what I was going to wear for the day, dark jeans and white shirt, and a black aviator's jacket, much like the outfit Nico would wear today on his quest. It was a little uncomfortable sleeping in it all, but since I didn't sleep much anyway, it hardly mattered. Jason barged in and hooked his arms through mine. "Come on Jackson. Don't mope. I know you're sad, but put on a brave front for you Prince of Shadows."

"You're right as usual Jay," I responded. "Let's go." He led me outside, where most of the camp was sneaking around, talking in hushed tones and decorating their respective cabins. Katie Gardner grew red roses on the Demeter cabin roof. Travis and Connor Stoll hung black crepe paper criss cross on the Hermes' cabin windows. And Leo and Piper were busy with Hazel around Nico's cabin, stealthily placing presents on the porch and hanging a banner above the door. It looked like this party was starting to get underway. I wandered over to the Athena cabin, where Annabeth was watching over her siblings and their decorating.

"Hey Perce," she said as I approached. "How are you holding up?" She looked me up and down. "And what's with the get up? Black isn't really your color." I smiled at her wearily.

"I'm going to look just like Nico will. Speaking of, your cabin looks amazing." Silver owl chimes hung all over the porch, and black and silver streams ran across the roof and over the door. "Thanks for helping guys." I told them, then wandered around, telling everyone else the same thing. Most nodded and mumbled a quiet your welcome. A few just gave me sympathetic looks. I sighed, squared my shoulders, and pushed my way into Nico's cabin, where he lay curled on his side. Smiling slightly, I sat down next to him and stroked his hair until he blinked his eyes open. "Morning sweetie," I choked out, leaning down and kissing his forehead. "Today's the big day." His entire face fell.

"Right," he mumbled. "Prince, I don't want to leave today. I don't want to leave any day. I want to stay here." He rested his head on my lap and clutched his blanket to his chest.

"I know sweetie, I know," I soothed. "But you can't ignore a direct order from your dad. He'd turn you into a pile of bones without thinking twice. I'd like my boyfriend in one piece for a long time." I turned away so he couldn't see the tears in my eyes. "Anyway, are you all packed?" He nodded and pointed to his backpack, which was sitting forlornly in the corner of his room. "Got your jacket?" He nodded, rose, and grabbed it out of his dresser, slinging it over his shoulder. "Looks like you're ready," I said softly, rising and striding over to him. He jumped into my arms, causing me to stagger and smile down fondly at him. "You haven't done that in a while," I commented.

"I know," he whispered, burying his face in my shoulder. "I won't be able to do it again. When I get back I'll be fifteen maybe sixteen. I'll be too big to do that and who knows if you'll even be here when I return? I wanted to do it one last time." He closed his eyes and I was struck by how frightened he looked about this. He wasn't any happier than I was about him having to leave. I gently placed my fingers under his chin and drew it up so he was looking at me.

"No matter what happens Nico, I will be here when you return. I don't care if I have to wait for forever to have you again, if that's what it takes, that's what I'll do. But I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, from everything that I am, I will be here, waiting for you to return. You won't be alone ever again." I leaned down and we kissed, slow and soft. When I pulled away, Nico looked slightly happier. "There. Now, why don't we head outside for one last look at camp?" Nodding, Nico shouldered his backpack and slipped his hand in mine, looking up at me. I led the way outside.

"Surprise!" about a hundred voices called out. Nico gazed around at everyone and everything, his eyes growing wider when he saw his presents.

"What's all this guys?" he asked us, looking a hundred campers in the eye. Jason and Leo stepped forward.

"This, Nico," Leo said. "Is a goodbye party for you. For our friend. For our family." Nico started. "Yes Nico," Leo said with a kind smile. "Family. You're our family now." Nico smiled at everyone. "Good luck buddy," Leo continued, mounting the stairs and patting his back. He then kidnapped my shadow prince and led him into the crowd, where everyone circled around him and wished him luck and praised him.

"He'll be fine," Jason said, coming and standing beside me. "He'll do fine on his quest. Don't baby him, okay?" I glanced sideways at Jason, sticking my tongue out. "Real mature Jackson," he quipped, smiling. I smiled back and turned to watch as Nico clambered onto Annabeth's back, wrapping his legs around her middle. He might be growing up, but he'd always be my little Prince of Shadows.

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"Thanks everyone!" Nico called as people began filtering off. "This has been great." He sighed and sat down on my lap, leaning his head against my shoulder. He looked worn out and adorable all at the same time. "Thanks for planning the party Prince. How long do I have?" I glanced at me watch.

"Half an hour," I replied dejectedly. "You're supposed to depart in half an hour. What did you think of all your gifts?" He looked down at his feet where all his presents were scattered, cards with money and drachmas, clothing and survival gear, and one ornate viewing shield crafted by Annabeth and her siblings. The shield itself would shrink down into a ring, which Nico was admiring right now. "I assume that's a yes," I said, more to myself than Nico.

"I guess," he said, looking up at me. "Everyone's been so nice. It's hard to not appreciate what they got me. But it seems to finalize me leaving camp, seeing all this practical stuff people have gifted me with." He gazed up at me with so much sadness it hurt to look at him. "Prince…" His voice broke and his lower lips trembled. I held him tight.

"It'll be okay sweetie," I said. "You can handle it. Remember, you're my Prince of Shadows. You can handle anything." He cracked a tiny smile and began gathering his gifts up. He stuffed a few in his bag, then proceeded to put the rest in his cabin. "I guess you don't need it all," I added as I watched, drawing my knees up to my chest. Nico stuck the last of his stuff inside and sat next to me, hugging his backpack to his chest.

"Prince," he said softly, and when I turned to look at him, he had tears running down his cheeks. "I finally get your attention and I have to leave. That isn't fair. And where I'm going… Well, let's just say not many demigods come back from it." I wrapped one arm around his shoulders and drew him close, kissing his temple. That idea scared me worse than looking his dad in the face, but I wasn't about to say that. "I'm gonna miss you Prince. I'll Iris-message you as often as I can. Although I don't know how often I can while I'm on this quest…" He trailed off and twined our fingers together, massaging my palm. I smiled down at him and kissed the top of his head. I caught a whiff of lilacs again.

"Did you use Hazel's shampoo again" I joked half-heartedly. He cracked a smile and gazed up at me.

"No," he replied with a giggle. "That's actually what my cologne smells like, I figured out the other day. It smells almost exactly like Hazel's shampoo, and that's why it smelled familiar." I chuckled lowly. One mystery solved before he left. Maybe we could play Truth or Truth or some sappy shit like that. Or maybe I could just marvel in the fact he was here and he was mine for the next fifteen minutes. Knowing Nico, he's stretch it out until the very end. "I can't lose you Prince. But…" He trailed off, drew himself up onto his knees on my lap, and kissed my cheek. "But, if I'm gone, and you find someone else you love, don't wait around. I'll be happy to see you when I get back, but I don't want to be the reason you aren't happy with someone else." I drew him closer and kissed him until he couldn't breathe.

"Don't ever say that again Nico," I scolded when I pulled away. "I've waited this long to have you. There's no way in Hades I'm letting you go just because of some distance. I love you Nico, and I will until my final breath." Nico had tears running down his cheeks. Suddenly, my watch gave a little too pleasant ding. "Nine…" I mumbled. "That can't be right. Nico…" I pulled him in for a tight hug. "Be careful my precious Prince of Shadows. I'll miss you."

"I love you too my darling Prince of the Sea," he choked out. "I'll miss you too." He pulled away and shouldered his bag. He stood in the corner of his porch, where it was shaded enough for travel. He waved at me once before disappearing completely. I watched that corner for the longest time, willing this to be a dream and I'd wake up soon enough and see him again. But no such luck. So that was it. My Prince of Shadows was really gone. And I had no way of knowing if he'd ever come back. I went into his cabin (which was abandoned for the time being), and laid down on his bunk, breathing in his scent on his pillow. I glanced around at his picture of us on the wall, and I noticed one tacked up of the two of us, playing Mythomagic together, the first summer he came to camp. Seeing it reminded me of the little boy he'd been, and the young man he'd become.

"Oh Prince of Shadows," I whispered, fingering the picture. "You've come a long way since then. I'm so proud of you. Proud of the young man you've become and prouder still to have had you in my arms." Feeling a calmness I hadn't felt all week, I went outside his cabin, glanced once at his door, then briskly walked away to find my friends. And I didn't look back after that.

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Well, there we go. The End.