Percy wasn't entirely sure he wasn't seeing things.
After the breathless chaos of the most spectacular battle he had ever witness first hand, very little of which made any sense to him, he was pretty sure he'd seen…
That was impossible
Zeus lowered his master bolt. Nico's breathing was rushed and difficult. Hades stared for a moment.
"You have won, my brother," said Hades. At last.
Zeus nodded once, "I have won," he confirmed. "Olympus is maintained. The rebels shall be rounded up. Some shall be…"
"But…" Nico gasped, "why did he…?"
Hades sent Nico a silencing look, clearly saying 'do not disrespect the king,' even if he himself spent the majority of his life wising to disrespect the king. Zeus' glare was harder, and Percy felt the need to step between Nico and that new threat too.
Zeus frowned and momentarily lost his anger, "I thought you were meant to be in love with that blond one?"
Percy didn't think the comment was worthy of a reply.
"It hardly matters," snapped Hades, smoothly, "What matters is that, once again, my Lord brother has defeated the threat. May the rule of Olympus last another thousand years!"
"Yes, yes," snapped Zeus, "Much feasting and partying etcetera, etcetera." He sighed, sadly.
Percy waited a moment to check Zeus had finished talking. He didn't want to risk angering the god further, except that was probably unavoidable. "Is he actually…" he paused. There was no better word, "dead?"
Zeus glowered. Hades sent another burst of pure terror at Percy, who really thought that should have been getting easier to endure by now.
"He is turned to dust," said Zeus, "He may be able to reform one day. By then, you annoying parasites shall be long dead. Now be gone. I tire of bastards."
"But…" Percy began, but he was interrupted by the sudden appearance of his New York apartment.
He swore, both angry and confused at the suddenness, loss of control and humiliation of being moved by gods. And was further annoyed by walking into his own table in his confusion.
Nico blinked at him, obviously equally confused. Percy felt some relief that they were still together.
"So Zagreus…" Nico started.
Percy shrugged. He didn't know. He wasn't sure what he saw. Was Zagreus defeated or did he surrender? A sense of dissatisfaction was writhing uncomfortably in him. Because Zagreus was gone, the threat was defeated, but Percy wasn't sure if…
If he could trust his eyes? If he wanted to trust his eyes? If he wanted more Zeus rather than a new regime? If…
If…
Because if Zagreus had actually listened to them, he maybe wasn't as bad as they'd thought.
Nico's face was equally lost. Neither really knew what to do.
So they both just stood around.
…xxx…xxx…
Two years later
There was a horrible noise by Nico's head.
He did his best to ignore it because it was probably the worst thing he'd ever heard, but it was not going to let him sleep.
Next to him, Percy groaned. Nico agreed, burying his face further into Percy's shoulder.
"Dude," grumbled Percy, "there's, like, a … a … what is that?"
Nico grumbled, but didn't think actual words were necessary.
"Why?" Percy groaned, loudly, hand reaching out and bashing at whatever it was.
Deep in his sleep addled brain, Nico wondered if they'd been left with a false sense of security.
"It's the alarm," he mumbled.
Percy groaned. "Can we kill it?"
Nico considered that idea. It was appealing.
"We'd lose our jobs," he said, sadly.
"Fuck jobs," said Percy.
Nico agreed. Percy's shoulder was lovely.
But they knew themselves too well. They managed to silence the first alarm, but they'd set 5 more and hidden them around the room, and by the time the fifth had gone off, they had to admit defeat.
"I remember a time when any tiny noise would have woken us up," said Percy, over breakfast.
Nico nodded, "But we didn't have such a good reason to want to stay in bed, then."
Percy looked at him and winked. "What time you finishing today?" he asked.
"Not late," Nico replied, "You?"
Percy shrugged. "Maybe I can pick you up."
"Er, sure," said Nico, "If you're happy to drive me in too?"
Percy nodded, and dropped a kiss on his forehead.
"What was that for?" Nico asked, quietly.
Percy shrugged again, "Do I need a reason to kiss you?"
Nico couldn't help but smile, and kissed Percy back, but this time on the lips. Percy grinned into the kiss.
"Are you planning something?" Nico asked.
"Maybe," said Percy.
Nico stroked his hair. He could still not quite believe how lucky he was to have Percy in his life. But he had responsibilities. "I should go see Jason."
Percy bowed his head. He knew they had to. Jason wasn't coping so well.
"After, then," said Percy, "I'm gonna pick you up, because there's someone else who wants to see you."
Nico frowned. Another attempt to force him to see Hazel? Another weird afternoon making small talk with Sally Jackson and Paul Blofis?
With a laugh, Percy looped an arm around his waist, "Relax," he whispered, "Sue's only met you a couple of time. You can't keep her waiting forever."
Nico laughed. Because his life was wonderful. Maybe it wasn't perfect, maybe their godly family were never going to be reasonable, maybe Zagreus would always be a massive 'what if' floating uncomfortably through their imaginations, maybe Jason would stay depressed and closed off, but Nico had Percy. Maybe it was selfish of him, but there was nothing more he could dream of wanting.
He had found happiness. He was never going to lose it again.
The end
AN: Thanks everyone who has read this story! It's been a long time coming. Apologies for any drama and delays that interrupted your enjoyment. I hope you can still enjoy the final story.
Thanks again, and all the best. I can finally read Blood of Olympus! Whoop!