The tension in the boardroom was palpable, thick enough that it felt like you could cut it with Riptide. The representatives from each faction had gathered at Elysium Prep for what promised to be a crucial meeting. This wasn't just a casual get-together to talk strategy—this was planning the next moves in a war that could destroy everything they cared about.

The room itself had an air of elegance that felt too polished for the chaos that brewed outside its walls. Elysium Prep's boardroom was lined with dark oak bookshelves, filled with ancient tomes and maps of the world—some mortal, some not. The huge table in the center was mahogany, polished to a gleaming finish, and the chairs, though comfortable, did little to ease the discomfort of the demigods seated around it. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the floor, a stark reminder of the looming threat.

Jason sat on one side, next to Herophila and Hylla. His posture was perfect—too perfect, really—like he was trying to exude an air of calm authority. But anyone who looked closely could see the tension in his shoulders, the tightness in his jaw as he clasped his hands on the table. His eyes were sharp and alert, flicking from person to person, taking in every detail.

Hylla sat beside him, arms crossed over her chest. Her leather bracers caught the light, and there was a tension in her face that suggested she was just waiting for someone to say the wrong thing. Her presence felt like an immovable force in the room—unshakable, untouchable, and ready to pounce. She glanced at her sister, Reyna, every now and then, as if silently communicating her thoughts.

Herophila, the augur, was oddly serene compared to the rest, her eyes calm but distant, as though she was seeing things no one else in the room could. She sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, but her fingers twitched every now and then, as if trying to stop themselves from reaching out to trace the patterns of fate she could sense.

Across the table, Percy lounged in his chair, though lounging might be the wrong word. He was sitting back, trying to look relaxed, but the way he kept drumming his fingers on the armrest gave him away. His signature sea-green eyes were darting around the room, but they always found their way back to Jason. In his hand, he toyed absently with his pen—not a smart thing considering that at any given moment, if he was not careful, it could turn into a sword and stab himself with it.

Beside Percy, Ethan Nakamura sat with his arms resting on the table, a calculating look in his eyes. He leaned forward, his sharp features showing he was itching for action, or at least an argument. Ethan had always had a way of keeping his cards close to his chest, and right now, his half-smirk made it clear that he was ready to pounce on any weakness.

Alabaster, the third at Percy's side, sat more comfortably than the others, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He flipped a pen between his fingers, the inked runes on his forearm catching the light. His eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and anticipation, as though he found the whole situation amusing, like he was waiting for something—anything—to pop off. He didn't seem nearly as tense as the others, but there was a dangerous air of unpredictability about him.

At the other end of the table sat the Huntresses, Reyna and Bianca both flanking Annabeth and Thalia. Reyna was all business, as usual, her fingers steepled in front of her face, eyes narrowed in thought. She hadn't said much yet, but the sheer force of her presence kept most of the room in check. The silvery armor she wore gleamed in the sunlight, and the dagger on her belt was a clear reminder that she was ready for action at any moment. Her gaze was sharp, flicking between Jason and Percy like she was gauging their every move, calculating how their petty rivalry might derail the meeting.

Beside her, Bianca was quieter, her hands resting calmly in her lap, but her dark eyes showed she was paying attention to everything. She occasionally exchanged a glance with Thalia, the two of them seeming to share a silent conversation. They were like mirrors—calm and composed on the outside, but with an undercurrent of energy that spoke to their readiness to leap into action at any moment. Thalia, for her part, was fidgeting with her silver bracelet, the one that transformed into her shield, Aegis, whenever things got heated. Her stormy blue eyes betrayed a sense of impatience as if she was counting the minutes before something chaotic happened.

Annabeth, however, was the calmest of the bunch. She sat with a pile of maps spread before her, her face locked in deep concentration. Her blond curls were pulled back into a ponytail, and the pen in her hand tapped rhythmically against the paper as she mapped out the possible attack routes for Luke and Octavian. Every so often, her grey eyes flickered over to Thalia, her brow furrowing slightly before she returned to her task. She was calm, sure, but Annabeth was always in control—right now, she was waiting for the perfect moment to take charge of the meeting.

The room was filled with a strange mixture of barely contained energy and silence, like everyone was waiting for someone else to make the first move. The chairs creaked softly as people shifted uncomfortably in their seats. The clink of Hylla's bracers echoed in the room when she crossed her arms, the subtle sounds of deep breaths and foot-tapping creating a rhythm of anxiety.

The silence finally broke when Jason leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze locking with Percy's across the table. "So," he said, his voice calm but with a dangerous edge to it, "we know what's coming. Luke and Octavian want to hit us from two sides—New York and San Francisco. Question is, where do we focus our defenses?"

Percy raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly in his chair but meeting Jason's gaze with his usual cocky grin. "I think we all know the East Coast is more important, Jace. You guys can handle the West, right?"

Jason's jaw tightened, but he forced a smile, a glint of challenge in his eyes. "The West has its own problems, Percy. New York might have the Gods, but San Francisco is just as valuable."

Herophila finally spoke up, her voice eerily calm as she glanced between the two boys. "They'll be expecting us to split our forces. The Titans know we won't give up either coast, and they'll use that against us."

Reyna leaned forward, her gaze cutting through the rising tension. "We need a unified strategy. If we split up without coordination, it's exactly what Luke and Octavian want. We'll need scouts—people who can relay information back quickly. No more surprises."

Thalia tapped her fingers impatiently on the table, her stormy eyes flicking from Jason to Percy. "Or we could just fight them head-on. We know what they're after—why wait for them to strike first?"

Annabeth sighed, shooting Thalia a look of exasperation. "That's not how strategy works, Thals. We can't just rush in without a plan."

"Sure," Thalia muttered, "but it's better than watching Jason and Percy do this macho posturing all day."

Jason gave Thalia a look of mock offense. "I'm not posturing."

Percy snorted. "Yeah, okay. Keep telling yourself that, Grace."

The room descended into chuckles, but the tension didn't completely dissipate. Everyone knew this meeting would determine the fate of their camps—and maybe the world.

Just then, Mellie, Nico's overenthusiastic assistant, swept up to the front of the room with her PowerPoint remote. She smiled brightly at the gathered demigods, huntresses, and students, seemingly oblivious to the heavy air of tension that hung over the room.

"Okay, folks!" Mellie chirped, tapping the remote to bring up the first slide. The projector screen hummed to life, displaying an image of a giant, menacing squid towering over a crumbling cityscape. Underneath, in bold comic sans, were the words Giant Calamari Attack!

"Slide one: Giant Calamari Attack!" she announced cheerfully, her wings fluttering slightly as she gestured dramatically at the screen. "Because who know what might attack us from the sea?"

The room fell silent for a moment. Then, like a dam breaking, the laughter started. It began with Ethan, his smirk widening into a full grin before he snorted and leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. Across from him, Alabaster chuckled, shaking his head as though this was exactly what he had expected.

Clarisse, sitting toward the back with her arms crossed and her usual scowl in place, rolled her eyes. But even she couldn't suppress the smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. She shifted in her seat, muttering, "Gods help us if we're actually attacked by seafood." Her fingers drummed against the hilt of her spear, which rested against the edge of the table.

Silena, sitting beside her, leaned over with a mischievous grin and whispered, "You think we could fleece the enemy with this plan?" She raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

Clarisse snorted, shaking her head. "You are the worst," she muttered, though there was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes.

Nico, meanwhile, was not amused. Standing near the head of the table, arms crossed, and brows furrowed, he gave Mellie a sideways glance, checking his notes as if willing the PowerPoint to stop derailing the seriousness of the meeting. His fingers drummed against the clipboard he held, the faint sound of his leather jacket creaking as he shifted uncomfortably. He cleared his throat, clearly trying to regain some semblance of order, though the laughter still echoed around the room.

Nico ran a hand through his messy black hair and pinched the bridge of his nose. His usual calm, dark demeanor cracked just a little as he exhaled slowly, looking every bit like a guy who had just had enough. He leaned over to Mellie, his voice low but firm. "Mellie… maybe focus on the actual plans?"

Mellie blinked, glancing at Nico with wide eyes as if she hadn't realized how off-course the meeting had gotten. "Oh!" She quickly clicked ahead, the slides flipping through images of monsters, battlefields, and tactical maps. "Right, right. Serious stuff. My bad."

Nico straightened, casting a weary glance around the room as the laughter subsided. His dark eyes locked onto Percy and Jason, who were grinning like kids caught pulling a prank, and he shot them a look that clearly said behave. Percy gave him an innocent shrug, while Jason just smiled a little wider.

Reyna finally spoke, her voice cutting through the lingering giggles like a knife. "Thank you, Mellie," she said, her tone sharp but not unkind. "Let's move on to the real strategies now. We've got a war to win."

Mellie, unfazed, nodded brightly and stepped aside, allowing the focus to shift back to the serious matters at hand. The atmosphere in the room sobered, but the echoes of laughter remained, a reminder that even in the face of war, some things—like a little humor—couldn't be entirely extinguished.

As the laughter finally dies down, a sense of focus returns to the room, although the air still hums with the lingering amusement. Reyna stands, her hands planted firmly on the table as she speaks with the calm authority that comes so naturally to her. "Alright, let's focus. We need to split forces efficiently if we're going to stand a chance. San Francisco is vulnerable, especially with..."—her eyes flick toward the screen, and she tries to hold back a smile—"the threat of giant octopi."

There's an instant ripple of chuckles. Thalia, always quick on the draw, grins and nudges Percy with her elbow. "No offense, Seaweed Brain," she says with mock sincerity, her stormy blue eyes gleaming with amusement. "But we all know what happens when you get involved with sea creatures."

Percy dramatically clutches his chest as if he's been mortally wounded, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated groan. "Wow, Thals. You wound me," he says, his voice dripping with faux outrage. He shoots her a wink, still grnning. "I can't help it if they love me."

Jason, sitting across from them, shakes his head, fighting a smile of his own as he absently twirls his pen between his fingers. "I dunno," he says, glancing over at Percy with a smirk. "You're like a magnet for trouble when it comes to anything with tentacles."

"Seriously," adds Annabeth from her seat next to Percy, raising an eyebrow but unable to hide her fond smirk. "It's like you attract all the weirdest sea monsters."

Percy rolls his eyes, a grin still tugging at his lips as he leans back in his chair, propping his feet on the edge of the table. "Look, when you're the son of Poseidon, it comes with the territory." He gives an exaggerated shrug, hands up. "Giant squids, angry krakens—what can I say? I'm a people person."

More laughter bubbles up from the table, but this time, it's accompanied by a subtle shift in energy—lighter but purposeful, like the demigods have found a groove, despite the mounting tension of the coming battle. It's as if humor, the absurdity of their situation, is what grounds them in moments like this.

Reyna, though her lips twitch with amusement, brings the conversation back on track. She straightens up, her fingers drumming lightly on the table for a beat before she speaks. "All joking aside, San Francisco is crucial. Camp Jupiter's resources are stretched thin, and we need to secure the city from any Titan attacks. The Hunt will join forces with Camp Jupiter to hold the line there."

Bianca nods from her seat beside Reyna, arms crossed but her expression as composed and serious as her fellow Huntress. "We'll need to reinforce the defenses, too. Titan forces are likely to target the Bay Area first, especially with how thin the legion has been spread. And we can't underestimate the threat coming from the coast."

There's a murmur of agreement from the room. Everyone is listening now, the weight of the battle strategy settling in despite the earlier levity.

On the other side of the table, Percy swings his feet off the edge and leans forward, his expression shifting from playful to serious. "That leaves us with New York City," he says, looking at Reyna, then glancing around at the others seated. "We're going to need everything we've got to defend it. The city's massive, and the last thing we want is the Titans getting a foothold there. Plus..."—he lets out a small, almost wry smile—"it's the city of bagels and Broadway. We can't lose that."

"Definitely not the bagels," Ethan chimes in, unable to resist, folding his arms behind his head with a grin. "Priorities."

The room lets out another round of chuckles, but it's more subdued this time, the gravity of the situation setting in around the edges. It's clear to everyone that the stakes are higher than ever.

Hylla, who has been listening quietly from her seat next to Herophila, stands up, her presence commanding as ever. "Camp Half-Blood will handle the defense of New York alongside Elysium Prep," she says. "Between our combined forces, we can ensure the Titans don't break through. But we need to be ready for anything."

As she speaks, Clarisse watches her with a nod of approval. Clarisse, as always, is perched on the edge of her seat, her foot tapping lightly on the floor as if she's itching to take action. Her arms are crossed, her expression sharp and focused. "If they try anything," she mutters under her breath, "they'll regret it."

"We'll need to secure key positions in the city. The bridges, tunnels, landmarks—they're going to hit us hard and fast, so we can't leave anything vulnerable." Silena pointed out Mellie's power point, which showed the various bridges that connected the city.

Bianca nods in agreement, her gaze sharp as she surveys the room. "San Francisco and New York are our top priorities. If we can hold them, we can weaken the Titans' advance." Her voice is steady, the weight of her leadership palpable as she meets the eyes of everyone around the table.

Nico leans forward, his dark eyes scanning the room with an intensity that immediately quiets everyone. Despite the earlier humor, the weight of his next words is unmistakable. "We can't just rely on sheer numbers or hope that the Titans will slip up," he begins, his voice calm but authoritative. "We need serious firepower."

The room seems to hold its breath, the demigods and hunters watching Nico with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. His tone is no longer light, and there's a sense of gravitas that draws them all in.

Nico's expression remains unreadable as he nodded at Mellie to flip the power point. Every demigod held its breath as pictures of ships, tanks, and weapons filled the screen. There's a glint in Nico's eyes that suggests he's enjoying this just a little too much, as he continues. "So, I'm offering all of Triumvirate Holdings' resources: ships, tanks, armor, weapons, and enough explosives to make a Hollywood director jealous."

For a beat, everyone just stares at him, processing what he's just said. Then, confusion flickers across some faces. Percy raises an eyebrow in disbelief. "Wait, what?"

Nico, sensing the impending confusion, leans back slightly in his chair, a deadpan expression creeping onto his face. "Seriously, you guys should see my armory. It's like if Home Depot had a really angry toddler."

There's a moment of silence before the room erupts into laughter. Even Annabeth can't suppress the brief flash of amusement that crosses her face. The image of Nico—normally the stoic—running an armory filled with enough weapons to supply an entire legion is almost too absurd to process.

Jason, sitting with his arms crossed but a smirk tugging at his lips, catches Percy's eye. The two exchange knowing glances, both clearly amused by the thought of their usually brooding friend surrounded by power tools and explosives.

"So, is this why you became Emperor?" Jason quips, leaning forward slightly with a teasing glint in his eye. "To build your very own Fortress of Solitude?"

Percy snickers at that, raising his hand as if in mock agreement. "I can totally see it. Nico in a bunker somewhere, surrounded by blueprints and explosives, just plotting world domination."

Nico's gaze narrows slightly, though the hint of a smirk betrays the fact that he's not really offended. "First of all, it's a fortress, not a bunker. Get it right," he says dryly, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve with exaggerated nonchalance. His voice is casual, but there's an edge of sarcasm that elicits another ripple of laughter.

Hylla, observing from her seat at the far end of the table, lets out a chuckle, shaking her head as if she can't believe the direction the conversation has taken. "Only you, di Angelo," she mutters, crossing her arms with an amused grin.

Annabeth, ever the strategic thinker, breaks through the humor with a more pragmatic tone. "Wait, so you actually have all of that at your disposal? Like, ships and tanks?" She leans forward, fingers drumming thoughtfully on the table. There's a gleam in her eye that signals she's already planning out how best to utilize those resources. "Because that could seriously change the game for us."

Nico nods, his face smoothing into a more serious expression as he meets Annabeth's gaze. "Absolutely. We'll need more than swords and bows to stop the Titans this time. Triumvirate Holdings has been preparing for this war for years—long before I even became Emperor. Though, they were aiming to fund the Titans, not fight against them. They left me with an armory that can rival anything the mortals could dream up. And I'm ready to repurpose it."

The gravity of his words seems to settle over the room like a blanket, the earlier lightness dissipating as everyone absorbs the sheer weight of what's being offered. Percy stops his playful banter and shifts his attention fully to Nico, a newfound respect shining in his sea-green eyes. "You've been preparing for this, huh?" he asks, his voice quieter now, more serious.

Nico doesn't break eye contact, his dark gaze steady. "I'm always prepared, Percy."

Jason, still lounging in his chair but now more thoughtful, tilts his head. "Well," he says with a faint smile, "at least if we're all going to die, we'll die in style. With tanks. And elephants, we cannot forget the elephants from Camp Jupiter."

"Wait you have elephants?" Bianca turned to the Romans stunned.

"Of course we have elephants!" Hylla laughed.

There's a collective chuckle, but it's softer now, more reflective. The room's energy has shifted, the levity giving way to a sense of determination. They all know what's at stake, and Nico's offer has made it clear just how serious the situation has become.

Bianca, spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "We'll need to coordinate with Camp Jupiter and the Hunt to make sure these resources are deployed efficiently. No point in having all this firepower if we don't know how to use it." Her eyes flick to Nico, a nod of acknowledgment in her gaze. "Good work, fratello. We're going to need every bit of it."

Nico gives a small, almost imperceptible nod in response, his expression unreadable but the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. It's clear that despite his casual tone, this means a lot to him. He's not just offering weapons; he's offering trust, responsibility, and a chance to make a real difference in the battle to come.

As the meeting progresses, the mood in the room shifts again. The humor remains, but it's threaded with the weight of their shared mission. Each glance exchanged, every whispered comment, is underscored by the knowledge that the coming days will be some of the hardest they've ever faced. But for now, they have a plan—and a secret armory, apparently—and that's something.

Annabeth leans forward in her chair, hands resting on the table, her expression sharp and calculating. "Stealth will be key. We need to hit them where they least expect it," she says, her eyes glinting with the sort of cold focus that only a Roman leader like her could possess. Thalia nods in agreement, her fingers drumming lightly on the table's edge, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she watches the room.

Bianca crosses her arms, her electric blue eyes practically sparking with impatience. "We've got the Huntresses spread out across both coasts. They can handle reconnaissance. No one's better at staying invisible when needed." Her tone is all confidence, the kind that makes even the most reckless demigods think twice about doubting her.

Percy leans back, tipping his chair at a dangerous angle, arms loosely crossed behind his head. "I mean, stealth is great and all," he starts, his casual tone contrasting with the seriousness of the conversation, "but what about, like, distraction tactics?"

Jason glances sideways at him, one eyebrow quirked. "What kind of distractions, Jackson?" He's trying to keep his tone neutral, but there's a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. They all know Percy has a knack for unconventional ideas.

Percy shrugs, the picture of relaxed confidence. "I'm just saying, maybe we throw in some smoke bombs, loud noises, make a scene." He pauses for dramatic effect. "Or we use the internet."

Alabaster, sitting beside Ethan, perks up at this. "Finally! Something I can work with." He pulls out his phone, the case covered in stickers that make it clear he's very much on board with chaos.

"If we combined magic, the resources from Triumvirate Holdings, and my siblings, I think we can make the Titans second guess themselves," Charles agreed, dark eyes sparkling with manic energy.

Percy laughs, dropping his chair back down onto all four legs with a thud. "Exactly! We hit them where they least expect it—online. They won't even know what's real anymore. Besides, it's not like we can out-muscle them. Might as well mess with their heads."

There's a snicker from Thalia's side of the table. She rolls her eyes but can't help smirking. "You're all ridiculous," she says, shaking her head, though it's clear she's entertained by the thought.

Reyna, ever the practical one, narrows her eyes thoughtfully at the suggestion. "As long as it works."

Annabeth looked between them all, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "There's something to it," she admits, though her tone is far more serious. "Confusion can be a powerful tool."

"See!" Percy gestures dramatically in Annabeth's direction. "Annabeth's on board. I told you it was a good idea."

Nico sighs, rubbing his temples with a tired look that suggests he's already regretting this meeting. "You're all insane," he mutters, but there's a ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It's clear that even if he's not fully sold on the idea, he's not going to stop them either. "Well, as the saying says, if you cannot beat them, join them. You might as well add the children of Hermes/Mercury to the mix, their creativity might spark some good ideas."

At the head of the table, Herophile looked bemused but also slightly impressed by the creativity being thrown around. "Only demigods," she mutters under her breath, shaking her head with a smirk.

As the last few chuckles fade and chairs scrape against the floor, the meeting room starts to empty out. Mellie's final cheerful announcement about a snack bar hangs in the air, lingering as a soft, playful note after the intensity of the discussions. The atmosphere shifts from tension to casual camaraderie as demigods, hunters, and students filter out through the doors, leaving behind the faint hum of conversation and the occasional stifled laugh.

Jason and Percy, however, remain rooted to their spots, exchanging uneasy glances.

"Uh-oh," Percy mutters under his breath, eyes darting to Nico, who stands at the head of the room with that familiar, unreadable expression. Nico hasn't moved, arms folded across his chest, dark eyes fixed on the two of them. Percy's shoulders tense as he slouches a bit, trying to look as nonchalant as possible, but the creeping sense of dread in his stomach says otherwise. "This can't be good."

Jason shifts uncomfortably, running a hand through his blond hair, a nervous habit he can never seem to shake. The thought of Nico glaring at him over some ill-timed Instagram joke makes his stomach drop.

The room had fallen silent, save for the soft creak of the old wooden floorboards beneath their feet. The last echo of retreating footsteps had long since faded down the hallway, leaving behind a quiet so thick it pressed against their skin. The dim light filtering through the windows stretched shadows across the room, sharp lines slicing through the space like invisible boundaries they dared not cross. The single table in the middle stood abandoned, and everything in the room felt stark and exposed. Every glance, every shift, every breath.

Jason and Percy stood there, rooted in place, their eyes darting nervously toward each other. It was the kind of silence that you felt, the kind that makes your throat dry and your hands itch with the need to do something—anything—to dispel it. But neither of them dared move. Not yet. Not while he hadn't spoken.

Nico stood before them, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his leather jacket stretched taut against his shoulders, making him look even more intimidating than usual. His face was unreadable, a mask of stone, but there was a subtle tension in his jaw that hinted at the storm brewing beneath. He didn't need to raise his voice to command attention—the weight of his silence was enough to make them squirm.

The shadows of the room seemed to converge around him, like they recognized their master. It was as if the very air bent to Nico's presence, thick with something Jason and Percy couldn't quite place. But they knew better than to take him lightly. His silence wasn't just silence—it was a weapon, sharp and deliberate, hanging in the space between them like a blade.

"What in Tartarus happened during the quest?" Nico finally asked, the words cutting through the stillness like a knife. His voice was low, controlled, but sharp enough to make both Jason and Percy flinch. It was the tone that said Nico wasn't asking because he didn't know; he was asking because he expected answers.

Jason and Percy exchanged a quick, panicked glance, and in that moment, they both knew they were in deep. Neither wanted to be the first to speak, but it was clear they had to say something to break the suffocating tension. Anything, really.

But instead of words, both boys dropped to their knees in perfect synchronization, their heads bowed slightly like they were guilty puppies caught chewing up the furniture. It wasn't even planned—it just happened. Like their bodies instinctively knew it was the safest position to take in the face of Nico's wrath.

"Um, well..." Percy started, but his words trailed off into a weak mumble. His usual bravado was nowhere to be found. His hands rested awkwardly on his knees, fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, as if somehow he could physically brush off the weight of Nico's gaze.

Jason, equally guilty and not exactly proud of how quickly he'd surrendered to the floor, was staring at the ground, his fingers tracing invisible patterns in the dust. His throat tightened as he tried to think of something, anything, to explain the chaos they'd left behind. But his mind was a blank slate. Nico's silence was more terrifying than most of the monsters they'd faced, and that was saying something.

Nico took a slow step forward, his boots making a soft thud against the floor. He stood over them now, his shadow falling across their kneeling forms like a dark cloud. His arms remained crossed, but his gaze had sharpened, the weight of his stare bearing down on them like they were two insignificant bugs under a magnifying glass.

"Well?" he prompted, voice still calm, but somehow more dangerous.

Jason swallowed hard. "We... um, we can explain," he said, his voice cracking just slightly. Percy shot him a sideways glance that said, Oh great, we're doomed.

"Yeah, we can totally explain," Percy added, though he was clearly stalling. His hand shot up, index finger raised like he was about to launch into some grand tale that would magically make everything okay. But his words were failing him, and the weight of the situation seemed to finally settle into his bones.

"You'd better," Nico replied, his tone icy. "Because right now? I'm having a hard time figuring out if I should just throw you both into Tartarus myself."

Jason winced, the words hitting him like a gut punch. He could feel the judgment radiating from Nico, and it made the room feel even smaller. Percy, usually quick with a snappy comeback, seemed to deflate next to him.

"Let's hear it," he growled, eyes narrowing as he shifted his weight. Jason and Percy looked like they'd rather face Medusa with a blindfold made of glass shards than explain themselves.

Percy scratched the back of his neck, his hand knocking against his sword's hilt as he tried to figure out where to even start. Jason, on the other hand, was gripping his SPQR tattoo like it might somehow provide answers if he squeezed hard enough.

"Um, well…" Percy began, his voice trailing off when Jason jumped in at the same time, blurting out, "It wasn't *that* bad!"

"That bad?" Nico's voice was pure ice.

"Okay, no—yeah, it was that bad," Jason conceded quickly, hands raised in surrender. Percy, ever the diplomat, tried to pick up the narrative, but both of them started talking over each other like kids caught sneaking out after curfew.

"It was Octavian!"

"The lion!"

"Poison gas—"

"And we totally—"

Nico's face didn't budge.

He raised a hand slowly—palm out, like a referee calling for a timeout—and both boys froze, their voices immediately cutting off. The silence that followed felt like the calm before a storm, heavy and suffocating. "Stop. One of you. Speak. The other one—shut up."

Percy shot Jason a look that said, You deal with this, I'm out. Jason inhaled like he was about to dive into an ice bath, rubbing the back of his head. "Okay, so, Octavian," he started, voice wavering slightly. "You know how he's always stirring the pot? He's like, I don't know, an ancient Greek drama professor—"

Percy snorted loudly. "The dude probably writes tragedies in his free time."

Jason couldn't help but crack a smile, but the second Nico's dark eyes flicked between them, both of them clammed up faster than the Oracle on a bad day. Nico's expression didn't change much, but there was a twitch at the corner of his mouth, like he was biting back an almost smile.

"Right. So, Octavian's been trying to pit us against each other. Classic 'divide and conquer' stuff, but we didn't fall for it, obviously," Jason continued, his hands starting to gesture more wildly as he got into the story. "And then, we had to deal with the Nemean lion—"

"That thing was huge!" Percy interrupted, holding his hands out like he was describing a fish he almost caught. "Seriously, I've fought a lot of monsters, but this one? It was like the size of a freaking bus. And yeah, I get that I'm supposed to be the monster-slaying expert or whatever, but come on—teamwork saved the day, right?"

"Sure, teamwork," Jason said, shooting Percy a side-eye. "Or maybe you just kept distracting it by yelling random insults until I stabbed it."

Percy shrugged. "Hey, whatever works, right?" He mimed clawing at the air, doing his best lion impression. "Rawr."

That finally got Nico to smirk, albeit briefly. He still didn't look like he was buying their excuses, though.

"Right. So, after we heroically didn't die from lion bites, we ran into the Ophiotaurus." Jason's voice shifted to something more serious as he crossed his arms, but he couldn't quite wipe the grin off his face. "We had to protect her because, obviously, Octavian was trying to mess with us again."

Percy rolled his eyes so hard Nico was surprised he didn't fall over. "Yeah, like, could he be more obvious? He pulled out this poison gas thing, and I swear, I thought I was in some bad action movie."

Jason groaned. "Percy was practically gagging the entire time."

"Hey, I held my breath!" Percy protested, crossing his arms, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward.

"Not for long."

"Long enough to not die, so that's a win." Percy grinned, clearly proud of himself.

Jason waved him off, moving forward in the story. "Anyway, we neutralized the poison and got Bessie into the Underworld without a scratch. Octavian thought he had us, but—" Jason snapped his fingers, "—we outsmarted him. We even gave up the Nemean lion's pelt to seal the deal."

Nico raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You sacrificed the lion's pelt? To get Ophiotaurus into the Underworld? A Ophiotaurus that you nicknamed Bessie? Are you for real?"

Percy held up his hands defensively. "Hey, desperate times, right? Besides, it's not like we could just walk in, carrying a massive lion rug and be like, 'Hey Hades, can we drop this off?' We had to do something."

Jason nodded in agreement, puffing out his chest slightly, like maybe Nico would actually be impressed with this part. He wasn't.

"And then there was Arachne," Jason said, shaking his head with an exaggerated shudder. "Her traps were all over the place."

Nico's eyes glinted with interest at the mention of Arachne. He leaned in just a little, arms uncrossing as he shifted his stance. "Arachne? And you managed to avoid getting wrapped up in her webs?"

"Sort of," Percy chimed in, eyes sparkling mischievously. "We might've stepped into one or two. But the best part?" He paused for dramatic effect, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. Jason was glaring at him, silently begging him not to say it, but Percy being Percy, he had no intention of stopping.

"Jason totally stepped into a trap. And I, being the hero I am, tried to save him. Tried."

Jason groaned loudly, burying his face in his hands. "Percy—"

"No, no, this is the best part! So I try to pull him out, right? But we both trip and—wait for it—we end up kissing."

The room went dead silent. Nico's expression froze for a split second before he raised an eyebrow, lips twitching into a smirk. "You what?"

Jason looked like he wished he could sink into the floor. "It wasn't—look, it wasn't intentional!"

Percy, however, was grinning like an idiot. "Totally an accident. Or maybe fate. Who knows?"

Jason's face was turning redder by the second. "It was awkward. That's all. Really awkward. And then we—"

"Just kissed and made up?" Nico quipped, his smirk growing wider. Percy was laughing outright now, slapping Jason on the back while Jason mumbled something unintelligible about how ridiculous the whole thing had been. After a second, Nico grew serious as he asked, "Do you love each other?"

Nico blinked, genuinely caught off guard by his own question as much as the reaction it sparked. He hadn't meant to stir anything beyond teasing, but now he found himself staring at Jason and Percy as they both turned bright red, practically vibrating with awkward energy.

"NO!" Jason and Percy shouted in unison, their voices overlapping in a desperate chorus of denial. It was so loud that a nearby owl, roosting in a tree, flapped its wings indignantly and took off. The boys' faces were the color of tomatoes, like they'd both just run a marathon—or been caught doing something embarrassing.

Nico raised an eyebrow, amused. "You sure about that? Because it kinda sounds like—"

"We're not in love!" Percy interrupted, running his fingers through his messy hair like he was trying to wipe away the entire conversation. Jason nodded so fast it looked like his head might fly off. He was wringing his hands, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other, while Percy fidgeted like his skin was too tight. Neither of them looked at each other.

"But we do have feelings for you, Nico," Jason mumbled, his voice just loud enough to break the awkward silence. Percy shot him a panicked glance, as if to say, Dude, seriously? We're going there?

Nico froze for a beat. The words hung in the air like a challenge, charged and crackling with tension. He could practically hear the heartbeat hammering in Jason's chest. Percy's fingers tapped nervously against his jeans, and his usual swagger had evaporated.

Nico didn't know what he expected—maybe an awkward silence, or even a change of subject—but Jason's confession had flipped the entire conversation on its head. He wasn't entirely sure how to respond, but something in him clicked. A part of him that had been buried under layers of shadow and walls started to thaw, just a little.

The silence stretched, becoming unbearable. Percy cleared his throat. Jason shifted his weight. Nico's gaze flicked between them, his lips curving up into a subtle but knowing smile. And then, before the moment could fizzle out into awkward stammering and foot-shuffling, Nico knelt down in front of Percy.

"Hold on," Percy said, voice jumping a little higher in surprise. His eyes went wide, darting toward Jason like he was hoping for a lifeline, but Jason just stared, lips parted, as if Nico's sudden movement had hit him like a lightning bolt.

Without another word, Nico leaned in, his dark eyes glimmering with something Percy couldn't quite place, and pressed his lips against Percy's. It was soft at first, almost tentative, but then the kiss deepened, pulling Percy into it like the tide tugging at a shipwreck.

Percy's brain short-circuited. His hands, unsure of what to do, hovered awkwardly in the air before he finally let them rest on Nico's arms. He wasn't sure if he should pull Nico closer or push him away, but, truthfully, the idea of pushing him away never crossed his mind.

Jason, meanwhile, stood there, completely frozen. Not with jealousy, though. No, something else stirred in his chest—something like appreciation. As he watched Nico and Percy together, it clicked into place. He had always known Percy was good-looking, but seeing him with Nico? They looked… right together. Something in the way they fit, the raw energy between them, made Jason's breath catch.

But it wasn't just Percy and Nico. The realization hit him hard and fast, settling in his bones. Nico was looking at Percy the way Jason had never seen him look at anyone, and suddenly, it made all too much sense.

Nico pulled away first, his expression unreadable, though his eyes sparkled with something more now—like he was seeing Percy for the first time. Percy, on the other hand, stood there, a little dazed, trying to catch his breath, the tiniest smile tugging at his lips. Jason was still standing there like a statue, watching everything unfold as though it were a dream he hadn't quite woken up from.

And then Nico turned, his gaze locking onto Jason. For a second, Jason's heart stopped. He didn't move, didn't breathe, didn't blink. Nico stood up, walking over to him with that same calm, collected stride he always had, though there was something softer in his eyes now. Something Jason wasn't used to seeing.

Before Jason could even register what was happening, Nico leaned in and kissed him. The world tilted, and Jason's mind went blank. His hands instinctively gripped Nico's shoulders as if Nico might disappear if he let go. It wasn't a kiss of fiery passion, but something gentler. Softer, but still electric. It sent shivers down Jason's spine, stirring emotions he hadn't let himself feel before.

Percy, now the one watching, felt his stomach flip. Not out of jealousy, but out of sheer surprise at how right it all seemed. He wasn't the jealous type anyway. Not when it came to people he cared about. And watching Nico and Jason like this? It was... nice.

Nico stepped back, eyes dark but soft. His lips quirked into a satisfied smile. There was no awkwardness, no tension—just something that felt strangely right. Both Percy and Jason looked at him, unsure what to do, or say, or even think. But Nico? Nico was entirely in control. He was the eye in the middle of the storm, and they were just trying to catch up.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few seconds, Nico raised an eyebrow, his usual smirk creeping back onto his face.

"Okay, your turn," he said, his tone all mischief and challenge. "Kiss each other."

Jason and Percy shared a look that said, Are you serious? But Nico didn't move, didn't let up. He just crossed his arms again and waited. The corner of his mouth twitched, as if daring them to refuse.

Percy groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "This is ridiculous. You know that, right?"

Jason's laugh was more nervous than amused. "Yeah, we're ridiculous."

But still, neither of them moved. They both just stood there, shifting uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with each other.

Nico's eyebrow lifted higher, his expression practically daring them to back down. "What's the matter? You scared?"

Jason rolled his eyes, but there was a flicker of determination behind them. "Alright, fine," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Percy nodded, his expression resigned but with a hint of a smile. "Okay, let's get this over with."

They leaned in, cautiously at first, but then, with a sudden burst of resolve, their lips met. The kiss wasn't soft or tentative like the ones with Nico had been. It was rougher, more desperate, with a kind of pent-up energy that neither of them had been willing to acknowledge until now.

It wasn't about love, at least not in the traditional sense, but there was something there—something raw and powerful. When they pulled apart, both of them were out of breath, faces flushed.

Nico's smile widened, looking like the cat that got the cream. "See? Was that so hard?"

Jason and Percy both exhaled at the same time, looking anywhere but at each other, but there was something lighter between them now—an unspoken understanding. Something had shifted, and they both felt it.

Nico clapped his hands together, startling them out of their daze. "So… the three of us?" He said it so casually, like he was proposing they go grab burgers after a long day of training. There was that playful glint in his eyes again, daring them to take the plunge.

Jason and Percy exchanged another glance, this time not with awkwardness, but with a shared sense of anticipation.

"Sure," Jason said, the grin on his face matching Nico's. "Why not?"

Percy, ever the adventurer, just shrugged. "Let's see where this goes."

And with that, the uncharted territory didn't seem so daunting after all.