Love Me Forever Or Love Me Never
Epilogue

Nico sighed into the warm evening air, watching as the stars came out to play, flickering in the darkness like tiny beacons. Leaning out through the tree house window, Nico felt a sense of freedom, although it could never last. He had to admit that being home lifted a great weight from his shoulders. Not only did his parents actually miss him, but they cut down his time at Hera's to two weeks (give or take a day or two). Even though Nico was thankful to be back at home, back to where he belonged, he longed to see his aunt; he missed the way she would actually listen to him, the way you could tell when she walked in the room just by her outward authority. It just seemed kind of odd with the strangling cloud of fear and respect gone. Either way he knew Hera had already scheduled to come visit them later in the week- something which has never happened in the past.

Pressing his face to the wooden window frame Nico could feel his soul crying, but he didn't understand why. He felt guilty about way to many things, but he had come to terms with that- he and Leo made up, Percy was now his, his mother and father were no longer angry with him. Although everything was going just how he wanted it to, Nico still felt broken somehow. Tearing warm fingers down the side of the treehouse wall, the realization hit Nico to hard- no matter what he did he was still alone.

He jumped a little as a noised crashed behind him and warm arms engulfed him.

"You okay there, jumpy?" The warm voice wavered down his neck before Percy pressed a cooling kiss to his temple.

"Shut the fuck up, Percy. You scared the hell out of me?!" Nico cried peevishly, although ever form of anger melted as Percy's warm arms cradled him, pulling him back into the other boy's chest. As if on cue the strained muscles in Nico's body loosened, becoming accustom to the new embrace of affection and protection.

"What would I do without your smart mouth?" Percy asked affectionately as he pinched Nico on the sides.

Nico rebounded quickly, squirming away from the other boy with enthusiasm. "You wouldn't be made fun of. That's one thing."

"Yeah, but I would miss it." Percy reproached Nico, tucking a tiny lock of hair behind his left ear, "A lot."

"I would miss it just like I would miss all your perfect imperfections. You realize how amazing you are, don't you? Just to make sure you do…" Percy bent his head down quickly, stealing a sneaky kiss from the smaller boy. Warm hands rested softly on Nico's hips as Percy pushed him back against the treehouse wall, lips battling for dominance as Nico wrapped his arms weakly around the other's neck. A moan left Percy's lips as hands slid up the smaller boys back and under his shirt, trailed by a soft whimper from his partner.

The kiss ended way too fast for Percy's taste as Nico pulled his lips away, a striking fear streaking in those beautiful dark orbs. Percy cascaded Nico's cheek and down the boy's neck, trying to bring comfort to his boyfriend, however, Nico once again jerked away, this time looking horrified rather than frightened.

"What's wrong?" Percy words betrayed his urgency as he watched Nico's eyes cast downwards, not daring to meet his gaze.

"I feel like I'm a victim."

"Huh?"

"Percy," Nico was suddenly at full attention, staring directly at the other, "Is this truly what you want? I mean do you actually love me?"

"Spending eternity with you is the only thing I will ever want. I love you, Nico di Angelo."

"Yeah, but eternity isn't forever." Nico grimaced in silence before glancing back at Percy, taking in the other's thoughtful expression.

"I don't know what you mean by that to be honest." There was a laugh through the thick tension although it was an utterly strained sound.

"I'm still….afraid. I don't want to lose you. I keep telling myself that everything will be alright from now on, but I can't convince myself to believe it. How can you believe a lie anyways? As soon as something better comes along you'll be gone and I'll be alone. Again." Percy could hear the pain in Nico's voice.

There was another moment of silence before Percy pulled Nico into his arms, holding him close and pressing a feathery kiss to his forehead, "Nico, I swear to god I won't leave you. I love you too much to even look at anyone else. You are my everything. And you always will be."

"Promise?" The desperate word was whispered into Percy chest before Nico sat back up.

"I promise."