I might have exceeded the word limit I put on myself by a thousand words. I'm sorry.

So this is finally coming to an end. Thanking for your feedback. It has honestly been lovely. You guys have helped me gain confidence in my writing. Thank you for staying till the very end. You guys have exceeded my wildest of expectations.

Also, there's a short Epilogue coming up in a day or two. My Editor thinks it's like the Shawarma scene at the end of The Avengers movie. xD

NICO:

He sat at his father's feet and dared to spare a quick glance at Percy's direction.

He was flat on his back, his arms crossed under his head, on the floor in front of his fathers throne, staring at the ceiling. He hadn't moved for a very long while. He just seemed to be whistling to himself. Not that Nico had noticed or anything.

Zeus was grumbling about it to his son who stood in front of him, straight as an arrow. "He should have some respect at least. This isn't his bedroom. He can't just lie there"

"He can, father", Nico heard Jason reply. "He's tired. We all are. We've been through a lot, you know" At the last sentence, he shot Hera a dirty look.

Zeus was also occasionally looking at Thalia casually, who had gone straight to Artemis.

Leo was standing in front of Hephaestus proudly, with an arm around Calypso. Was he glowing?

Frank was talking to Ares and Nico thought how much he had changed. Ares looked fiercely proud and less of a douche. Instead of blushing, Frank looked radiant.

At the corner of the room, he spotted Aphrodite fuss over Piper as Piper struggled to get away.

The two people Nico was worried about was Hazel and Annabeth.

Hazel was awkwardly standing with Annabeth while the latter pointed towards the destroyed parts of Olympus and Nico had only to guess to know that Annabeth was trying to explain what she planned to do about them.

Neither of the girls had talked to their godly parents yet. Athena wasn't even in the throne room, but Hazel had carefully avoided Hades. Or Pluto.

"Nico", he heard his father say. "Go"

He threw Hades a confused look but Hades just shrugged, his dark eyes sparkling with something Nico couldn't place.

"You know what to do", Hades told him and Nico felt a shove, even though Hades hadn't touched him.

He found himself walking towards Annabeth and Hazel.

"Hey", he said lightly, and felt two pairs of eyes turn at him. One like a startled doe and the other like a stormy sky on the verge of a hailstorm.

"Dad wants to see you", he told Hazel. She gave Annabeth a small smile and crossed the room consciously.

The cool grey eyes bore into him. "Nico Di Angelo", she said, not rudely, "You were the last person I was expecting."

"That's not true", he said, only half jokingly, thinking of Athena. Annabeth coughed up a small smile.

That gave Nico a little hope. Even though he had no idea what he was doing here.

"Nico, don't worry", she said softly, and Nico realized that her stormy grey eyes weren't filled with anger or disgust. They were brimming with worry. "It's not your fault"

Nico was taken aback. He struggled to find words. He'd never really been that smooth anyway and Percy's girlfriend made him extra nervous.

"No, Annabeth", he said, pausing, a little more confident now, "I don't want to do this. You and Percy...", his gut ached accusingly, "Are bloody perfect. I wouldn't want to fuck that up" He wondered if she would tell him off for using cuss words.

Annabeth studied him. "Don't say that. You don't want that. He doesn't want that" She shot a painful look at Percy.

Nico's head hurt. He didn't want to do this. He wasn't sure what 'this' was.

Before he could say something, Annabeth interrupted his thinking. "Talk to him first. That's important"

Then she did something Nico hadn't expected her to do in a million years.

She hugged him. A tight, warm hug which almost brought tears to his eyes. "I love him, yes. And he'll always be my best friend and one of the closest things to my heart, but I wouldn't want to stop him from growing. He's grown to love you. And I will not take that away from him. I'm not that selfish. Take care of him and prevent him from doing too much heroic stuff. But I guess you're into that kinda shit too, huh?"

Nico was afraid of talking. What if a wail escaped him?

"But you'll be around to keep him in check", he said finally, his voice quivering. Her hair smelled of smoked marshmallows and he found it comforting.

"Of course", she said, as she pulled back, grinning, her eyes misty. "The both of you. Mind you, I can be a little bossy"

"I don't really mind", he smiled back.

"Boy, I hate to interrupt this heartwarming union", a voice snapped from behind him.

"Mother", Annabeth said coldly. "You would not know anything about heart warming". He was getting better at figuring her expressions.

Not intending to witness Athena's wrath or whatever she had planned next, Nico excused himself with a slight bow of his head in Annabeth's direction.

ANNABETH:

Her heart was doing something weird, even though her voice and face were impassive.

Athena smiled. "You did it"

"And you did it too", Annabeth replied coldly, "You made sure me and Percy weren't together"

"Even as you say it, you know that's not true"

"What's that even supposed to mean?"

"It means I didn't really have anything to do with it", Athena replied simply, "Aphrodite made your love life confusing. Only she knows what she did, but at least now you have the liberty of choosing on your own. You can take your own decisions"

For a moment, Annabeth was without words. "What if I want Percy?", she asked, recovering quickly.

"Well", Athena pretended to think, "Do you?"

"Maybe"

"Then go get him"

Annabeth didn't move or reply.

"Annabeth", Athena started when she showed no inclination to speak, "Your freedom isn't an illusion. At least, not all of it. Make the most of it. If you really think Percy should be yours, take him. Go, claim him"

Annabeth shot her mother a dirty look, "He's not a puppy"

They both turned to look at Percy who was talking to Nico. He did look like a puppy, sometimes. Especially right then.

Athena touched Annabeth's shoulder and it burned as hot as burning iron. Annabeth could barely keep from screaming.

"This should make up for the loss of your cap", Athena said and for a moment she look a little sad. She took her and and something materialized in Annabeth's palm. It was cool and heavy.

Leaving her standing there confused, Athena sauntered back to her throne.

In Annabeth's palm was a silver key with an owl handle. On the back were words engraved in fine print.

The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.

She looked up towards her mother but she wasn't looking at her.

Socrates, really mother?, she thought.

Annabeth dared to smile. Her key. Her library where her dyslexia won't stop her from reading, learning and knowing.

He shoulder throbbed.

She pushed her shirt aside to expose her pale shoulder. The searing pain was because of the silver star etched on her skin.

She expectantly brushed a curious thumb across the tattoo and suddenly, she couldn't see herself anymore. She grinned and a laugh escaped her throat and for a fraction of a second Athena looked straight at where Annabeth was and smiled proudly.

And then the moment was gone. She willed to materialize again and she did.

She heard Zeus speak and skipped towards where Percy stood.

NICO:

He turned around to find that Percy had gotten up and was gaping at him. His hair was ruffled in a way that made Nico want to skip towards him.

Nico Di Angelo. Stop.

He crossed the room, aware of a few eyes on him.

He reached Poseidon's throne and glanced up at the god expectantly. The slightest of smiled played on Poseidon's face, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Father?", Percy looked back at Poseidon. He had gotten up and was studying Nico strangely.

Poseidon's smile widened and Percy took that as his leave.

They walked to Hestia's hearth, where the goddess herself was tending to the flames. She smiled at them knowingly and vanished in the blink of an eye.

"So", Nico started, "Reyna and Grover are fine. Reyna went back to the camp with the injured and to look after the Romans."

Percy had the decency to look ashamed. "I did wonder where they were, but things were too-"

"Yeah", Nico said, cutting him off so he wouldn't be left sputtering for an excuse.

Percy looked at Nico angrily, "How do you do it?"

"Do what?", Nico asked, surprised.

"This", Percy said making a weird gesture with his hands. "Do things no one even thinks of doing." He struggled to keep his voice steady.

Nico shrugged. "I don't know"

Percy looked pained. As if he wanted to say something but he knew he couldn't. He looked around helplessly.

"What did Annabeth say?", he said, finally regaining his composure.

"Not much", Nico replied, trying to sound nonchalant, "She encouraged me to do what I want"

"And what is that?", Percy asked, stepping closer to him.

Nico refused to waver. He put his palm on Percy's chest to keep him back. "You don't want this"

He could feel Percy's heart beating as fast as his own. He could feel the warmth of his body through his faded tshirt and for a moment, he forgot to breathe. He shouldn't have touched him.

"Are you kidding me?", Percy asked in a low voice.

"No, but you don't", said Nico, trying to figure out what he wanted to say before everything became invalid, except for Percy. "You have the perfect girlfriend, the perfect relationship. I don't want you to fuck that up on my account"

Percy tilted his head, "But it's too late for that. You should've thought about that before you strutted in"

Nico was taken aback. "I didn't think it would affect you"

"Yeah, there are a lot of things we didn't think, did we?", he asked softly. His face was so close to Nico's that his breath tingled his cheeks.

Nico couldn't breathe, he couldn't think, he forgot where he was and what he was supposed to be doing, he couldn't look away from those twinkling green-

"So", Zeus's voice boomed, "If the demigods are done resting, can we proceed with the meeting?"

Nico jumped back from Percy, like a startled cat.

Percy ignored his expression and took his arm and dragged him to the centre of the hall where the others had collected.

Nico caught Jason's eye and he looked like a child on Christmas. Though Nico barely remembered how Christmas was supposed to be.

The room was filled with the twelve Olympians minus Hestia and with Hades, and the chosen seven plus Nico and Thalia.

"I", Zeus started boldly but then exhaled deflatedly, "Have nothing to say. I'll grant you each, one boon. Take what you want"

"Father", Artemis said standing up, "Is weary." At this, the demigods could barely contain their coughs. "What he means is that Olympus is glad to have guardians like you and we are grateful for what you have done"

Zeus nodded at Artemis and continued, "Ask for whatever that pleases you"

Though his voice did have a grudging undertone.

He asked Thalia first, who customarily refused saying that serving Artemis was the only thing she needed. Nico had a suspicion that it was well rehearsed.

Next came Jason. "The camps shouldn't be completely cut off from each other. I believe that Romans and Greeks can work together and working together is the best hope they have. If any problem arises in the future, let they be reminded of this quest and stay united"

Even Nico knew this was asking a lot. This could tear the two aspects of the gods apart again. This would be a high maintenance job, there could be political conflict and nobody knew what else would rise in the future.

The gods looked uneasy. Zeus looked more confused that angry.

"Jason", Piper whispered urgently, pulling Jason to her. "That's a very dangerous thing to ask."

Jason's face was stubbornly set, his features stony, his eyes reminded of Annabeth's though they were completely different. It must've been the expression of righteous and stubborness.

When Jason answered, he answered loudly, so all the gods could hear it clearly, "Romans and Greeks need each other. Together, they're unbeatable. They need to support each other. Or, who else is gonna have our backs?"

The taunt was sharp and hardly masked at all. The gods had the grace to not reply and remain expressionless.

"Granted", Zeus told him, and then leaned forward, "But it's up to you to make it work"

Jason smiled, a smile Nico knew too well because that's the only one that touched his face for the last few years. A sardonic one.

Customarily, next came Percy. Everybody held their breaths as they waited for Percy to speak.

Percy held his tongue for long, probably testing the tension in the room. Nico almost grabbed him and shook him.

At last, he spoke. "I'll see"

"What?", Zeus asked uncomprehending.

Poseidon looked tired, as if he had expected it.

"I'll tell you later", said Percy shrugging casually, "I'll tell you when I know what I want."

That's what Percy said but everybody heard the truth loud and clear. I'll hold you to it, he meant.

Annabeth turned towards Percy, a half smile on her face, she took his hand in hers. Surprisingly, Nico didn't feel uncomfortable, even as Percy pulled her close to him and held her there.

Zeus was looking at him.

He was confused. He hadn't said anything. Why were the Olympians staring at him like that? It was kinda definitely creepy. Too much attention for Nico's liking.

Percy nudged him. "Your turn"

Really? He was allowed to ask for anything wanted?

"Thank you, my lord, but there's nothing I could possibly ask for. I've got everything I need.", he said with a smile so it didn't sound too rude.

Before he knew it, Percy had pulled him too and the three of them stood together, arms around each other.

Next was Hazel.

She looked upto Zeus shyly and Nico was scared for her. What if they took her away? Back to the Underworld? Nico didn't want to lose another sister. He wanted to rush to her and hold her but Percy was holding him and thankfully, Frank held Hazel's hand.

"I would like to request that I'm allowed to stay here. I promise to not cause any trouble", she said loudly.

Zeus threw an approving look at Hades and the god of the Underworld rolled his eyes.

"Very well", Zeus replied, "Since your early demise was due to Gaea and you've helped in her downfall, you've earned your life"

Hazel bowed and stepped back, closing in towards Nico and held him from the other side.

It was Frank's turn next

"We have all become warriors and it is now a large part of us, whether we want it to or not", he said boldly, his head held high. "I would like to ask for our weapons back. What is a warrior, without his weapon?"

"Oh Frank!", Percy exclaimed. "You didn't have to do that for us. You wasted your boon"

Frank turned to look back at Percy, grinning, "I didn't have anything else to ask for. And this isn't wasting it, honestly"

Frank. Always helping others.

Zeus looked around at the other gods. Ares was grinning and Nico thought he looked hideous.

Zeus was the first. The air in front of him shimmered and he pulled out a gold coin and tossed it to Jason.

Jason's mouth was hanging open but he managed to catch the coin, which had now turned into a double edged sword made of imperial gold.

Jason bowed. He looked gratefully at Frank.

The sound of waved filled the room. The bottom of Poseidon's throne was being washed by high waves and Nico though he heard his father sigh and Zeus mutter something about a showoff.

A tall waved rose in front of Poseidon, who touched it with his trident and the wave shone a bright sea green and rushed toward Percy.

Which was scary because on each side of Percy was Nico and Annabeth, and Hazel stood beside Nico.

But the wave didn't crash into them.

The foam on top turned into a double edged leaf shaped blade with a leather wrapped grip and a hint riveted with good studs.

Nico thought Percy would throw him away to jump at his sword. And he almost did that.

He pulled his arms away from Nico and Annabeth and grabbed Riptide with both hands. He looked like he'd just been presented with a room filled with blue food.

"I-", he started but he didn't have anything to say. There wasn't anything to say.

In a pink flash, Katoptris appeared in Piper's hands. She almost dropped it in surprise. Nick wondered if she was honestly glad to see the dagger, since it showed the future which was too often painful for demigods.

Black smoke curled around Hazel's arm and her spatha appeared. The only difference was that the hilt was a dark blood red ruby. "To remind you that your power isn't a curse", said Hades softly and Nico knew only he and Hazel heard him.

Ares stepped down from his throne and walked to Frank, a bow and a quiver full of arrows in it.

"You'll never run out of arrows, I'll promise you that", Ares told him as he strapped the quiver onto his back.

Zeus was now looking at Piper.

"I don't want my relationships to be manipulated by the mist, or by my mother", she said. Her voice had a slight quiver to it.

Zeus studied her. "You do realize any bonds formed due to the mist or your mother, will be broken if I remove that influence on you"

Piper nodded.

Nico was worried about her. And Jason. What if their relationship was due to the mist? That would be wrong but Nico knew how much Jason loved Piper even though he kept his feelings to himself most of the time.

Annabeth pulled Piper to her and held her as Jason steadied her from the other side. They were standing in a long chain now. Jason, Piper, Annabeth, Percy, Nico, Hazel, Frank and Leo in the corner with Calypso.

Nico was surprised that he hadn't noticed them before.

"If that's what you want", sighed Zeus. He waved his hand.

Nothing happened.

The demigods looked at each other blankly.

Jason was holding on to Piper like she was gonna fall through the floor or something.

They waited.

"Uhh", Percy started but Annabeth jabbed a finger at him.

"What had to be done, has happened", Zeus told Piper.

She looked at Jason searchingly.

Jason grabbed her by the waist and kissed her. Percy whooped, Annabeth laughed while Hazel clapped. "Well done, bro", Leo said after so long, heads turn to look at him instead. He blushed.

All eyes were on Annabeth. Nico wondered how she stayed so calm and confident. He would've collapsed in self consciousness.

"I'm most grateful for this opportunity", she said, looking Zeus straight in the eyes, "But my mother has taken care of everything I could possibly need"

Nico felt Percy stiffen a little. Not breaking news that he didn't like Athena.

Athena's face was marble. Her grey eyes almost black.

Finally, Leo.

"Umm", he said but Nico could tell he was pretending to think, "How about an apology to Calypso here? And supplying her with everything she needs for the rest of her life"

Zeus stiffened. "I said one wish"

"Well as a god the second part is supposed to be customary", Leo shot back. "For the inconvenience you caused"

Everybody is the room was holding their breaths.

Zeus' eyes narrowed. "You'd want to keep that flaming tongue of yours inside your mouth"

"Hey, hey, hey", Percy interrupted, not so surprisingly. "I think Leo is right. Calypso was supposed to be let go during the last war"

Zeus studied him. Nico was sure he was thinking of the wish Percy was holding in.

Calypso's face was unreadable. She looked proud yet diminished.

"I", Zeus said in a low voice, "Apologize for your mistreatment. Whatever you need shall be yours"

Calypso smile, as pretty as dawn and spoke softly, "I am grateful, from the bottom of my heart"

"So", Zeus said clapping his hand, "Call the others inside if you will. More have come over from Camp Halfblood. The day is yours"

The hall burst into and Aerosmith song. Or at least that's what it sounded to Nico. He had no way to decide because as soon as he turned towards Percy, strong arms pulled him closer into a warm hug.

Percy smelled slightly smoky but warmly fresh somehow. His fingers traced his spine and stopped low on his back. He shifted so he could see his face clearly.

"I love you", Percy told him, his sea green eyes challenging.

He didn't sound sad. He didn't sound like an excited puppy. He sounded stubborn. He sounded like he would argue if Nico said something against what he had just announced.

Nico barely heard the whistling and the clapping around him as he pulled Percy in for a kiss.