The Prince of the Underworld

by kurenohikari

Being on the run from monsters was not something Nico had been expecting to do in his life. For all his love for Mythomagik, Nico had never believed the cards to be based on real life events. Who would ever expect myths to be real? It was madness! What made everything worse was the fact that Nico was following four ghosts. Nico was sure he was losing his mind.

61. ACT VI – PART II

Nico's fingers fumbled slightly as he set down the last dish of ambrosia, trying to ignore the sudden surge of nerves that crept up on him. His usual composure, was cracking at the edges. Of course, Percy and Jason wouldn't care if something was out of place, or if the ambrosia wasn't arranged just right. But still, this was important. It was their first real date. It was just them. And that terrified Nico more than any of those other things ever could.

He heard Jason and Percy's voices before he saw them, laughing about something no doubt ridiculous, and he quickly glanced at the spread, making sure everything was perfect. Nico cursed himself inwardly for being so jittery. The garden looked beautiful, though—the soft orange glow of the setting sun reflecting off the lily petals, casting long shadows across the grassy courtyard of Di Angelo Manor.

"Hey, looks like the Prince of Darkness knows how to set up a picnic," Percy teased as he walked up, hands stuffed casually in his pockets, a smirk on his lips. His sea-green eyes sparkled with amusement, but there was also warmth there, something softer.

Nico rolled his eyes, the familiar dryness coming back to his tone, though he couldn't help the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Don't get used to it. I'm not usually the picnic type."

Jason, trailing just behind Percy, shot Nico a wink as he plopped down on the blanket. "Yeah, but when you do something, you go all out. This looks amazing, angel."

"Thank Persephone, not me," Nico said, a bit of a blush creeping into his cheeks. He sat down more carefully, crossing his legs under him, trying to look nonchalant but inwardly grateful the set-up was getting their approval.

Percy flopped onto the blanket with all the grace of a sea lion, grabbing one of the ambrosia squares without hesitation. "If she's the one sending these, I'm not going to argue," he said, already munching happily. "These are so much better than anything from camp."

"Of course they are," Nico replied, shooting Percy a side glance. "They're from the Goddess of Spring."

Jason laughed softly, nudging Percy with his elbow. "Leave it to you to be the guy who's more excited about food than the sunset."

Percy made a show of rolling his eyes, leaning back on his elbows and looking up at the sky. "Hey, I can appreciate a good sunset," he said, voice laced with mock seriousness. "I'm a guy of many layers."

Nico chuckled, a rare, genuine sound that surprised even him. The banter between the three of them had recently become easy, but today, there was something different. It felt... softer. Like they were finally letting go of the weight that had always been between them. Here, in the quiet sanctuary of the garden, they were allowed to just be.

As the conversation flowed naturally between them, they fell into a rhythm. Jason reached for another snack, his hand brushing against Nico's for a brief moment, and Nico caught the flicker of warmth in his blue eyes. There was something so effortless about Jason—his kindness. It made Nico feel grounded in a way he wasn't used to.

"Can't believe we've never done this before," Jason mused, stretching his legs out and glancing around at the serene garden. "I mean, a normal date."

"Yeah, 'normal' isn't exactly in the demigod vocabulary," Percy quipped, throwing a wry grin in Nico's direction. "I think I forgot what 'normal' even feels like."

Nico shrugged, though there was something in his expression that softened with their words. "Maybe this is our new normal," he said quietly, surprising himself with the admission.

The words hung in the air for a moment, and Jason nodded thoughtfully. "I like that idea," he said, his voice soft. "A new normal."

Percy shifted, sitting up and leaning forward, his usual grin replaced with something more genuine, more serious. He looked at Nico and Jason, his two boyfriends, with a kind of fondness that made Nico's heart do a weird little flip. "I never thought I'd get to have this," Percy admitted, his tone quieter than usual. "You know? Just... sitting here. With you guys. No monsters, no camp drama. Just... us."

Nico felt a lump form in his throat, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he reached for another piece of ambrosia, more for something to do with his hands than out of hunger. "Well," he said, voice steady, "we've earned it."

Jason smiled at that, his eyes full of that easy, reassuring warmth. "Yeah," he agreed, "we really have."

For a moment, they sat there in a comfortable silence, watching the sky darken into shades of purple and deep blue as the stars began to peek through. The garden around them seemed to come alive in the twilight—fireflies flickering above the lilies, the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Percy leaned his head against Jason's shoulder, and Nico watched as Jason rested his hand on Percy's back, their movements so natural it made Nico's chest ache with something close to contentment. This—this was what he had always thought was impossible for someone like him. Yet here they were, in the garden he had once wandered alone, sharing a moment of peace that felt like it belonged to them alone.

"Okay, but seriously," Percy broke the silence, his voice taking on that familiar teasing tone, "if we do this whole 'normal date' thing again, we're going somewhere with pizza. No offense, Nico, but ambrosia is, like, a one-time treat."

Nico let out a short laugh, rolling his eyes. "We'll see about that. But next time," he added, leaning back on his hands, "you're planning it."

Percy groaned dramatically. "Me? Plan? Yeah, that's not going to go well."

Jason chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, I don't know. I think I'd love to see Percy trying to organize something."

"Organize chaos, maybe," Nico quipped dryly, earning a grin from both boys.

Percy ignored their teasing and picked up a slice of blueberry-topped ambrosia and brought it to Nico's lips. "Open up," he teased, watching as Nico's mouth obediently parted. The treat was sweet and tangy, the cream melting against his tongue. As Nico chewed, some of the cream dripped down his chin. Without thinking, Percy leaned in and licked it away, his tongue grazing Nico's skin.

Nico shivered at the contact, his eyes locking with Percy's. "That was nice," he murmured, picking up a berry for Percy. He watched as Percy bit into it, juice dribbling onto his fingers. Nico couldn't resist; he leaned in and sucked the juice from Percy's fingers, taking his time to savor every drop.

Jason watched the exchange with a smirk, feeling a familiar heat pooling in his gut. He reached for a honey-drenched ambrosia square and handed it to Nico. "Here, try this," he said, his voice thick with intent. Nico accepted it, but as he took a bite, some of the honey dripped down onto his chest, staining his shirt.

"Looks like you need help," Jason quipped, moving closer. He bent down and licked the honey from Nico's chest, his tongue tracing intricate patterns over the sensitive skin. Nico groaned softly, his body reacting instinctively to Jason's ministrations.

Percy felt a surge of possessiveness and jealousy, though he knew there was no reason to feel either. This was all part of the game they played, the unspoken agreement that fueled their desires. He leaned in, kissing Nico deeply, tasting the honey and berries on his lips.

Nico moaned into the kiss, his hands finding their way into Percy's hair, pulling him closer. Jason didn't miss a beat; he moved to Nico's other side, his hand slipping beneath the hem of Nico's shirt to caress his belly. The sensation sent shivers down Nico's spine, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"You taste so good," Percy whispered against Nico's lips before capturing them again in a searing kiss. His hand slid down to cup Nico's erection through his jeans, eliciting another moan.

Jason shifted his position, pressing Nico back onto the blanket. "Let me show you how much I appreciate those sweet treats," he said, his voice husky with desire. He undid the button of Nico's jeans, pulling them down just enough to free his throbbing cock.

Nico's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Jason take him in hand, stroking gently at first before picking up speed. The sensations were overwhelming, a delicious mix of pleasure and anticipation. He could feel Percy's kisses trailing down his neck, each one sending waves of arousal through his body.

Jason glanced at Percy, a silent challenge in his eyes. Percy grinned and moved down, taking Nico's nipple into his mouth, sucking and nipping until Nico was writhing beneath them.

"Fuck, you two are driving me crazy," Nico gasped, his hips thrusting up involuntarily. Jason tightened his grip, increasing the pressure as he worked Nico towards release.

The scent of their arousal hung heavy in the air, mingling with the sweet notes of the abroisa treats. The rustle of leaves above them provided a soft backdrop to their increasingly urgent sounds of pleasure.

Percy switched his attention to Nico's other nipple, using his teeth to tease and torment. Nico's hands fisted in the blanket, his body arching off the ground in response to the dual assault. Jason's strokes became more frantic, his breaths coming in short bursts as he neared his own edge.

"I'm close," Nico warned, his voice trembling with need. Jason nodded, not slowing his pace. "Let go, Nico," he urged, his voice laced with raw emotion.

With a strangled cry, Nico came, his orgasm wracking his body as jets of cum shot into Jason's waiting hand. Percy continued his relentless assault on Nico's nipples, prolonging his pleasure even as his own need grew unbearable.

Jason didn't wait for Nico to recover; he reached for the discarded ambrosia square and slicked his fingers with the honey cover before pushing them into Nico's hole. Nico gasped at the intrusion, his body still hypersensitive from his orgasm.

Percy pulled back, his eyes dark with lust as he watched Jason prepare Nico. "Ready for more?" he asked, his voice a low growl. Nico nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.

Percy grabbed the ambrosia and coated his cock, positioning himself between Nico's legs. With one swift movement, he pushed inside, filling Nico completely. Nico cried out, the sensation both painful and exhilarating.

Jason withdrew his fingers and moved around to the other side, settling himself next to Nico. "Time for round two," he murmured, leaning in to steal a kiss from Nico's lips.

Percy began to move, his thrusts slow and deliberate, drawing out the pleasure. Nico clutched at their shoulders, his nails digging into their skin as he tried to hold on. The world narrowed down to the three of them, the sensations flooding his senses.

Jason wrapped an arm around Nico, holding him steady as he watched Percy's slow, measured thrusts. "You okay?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. Nico nodded, unable to find the words to express how good it felt.

Percy sped up, his movements becoming more urgent. "Come on, Nico," he grunted, his rhythm faltering. "Let us see that beautiful come."

Nico felt the pressure building once more, his body tightening in response to Percy's demands. Jason joined in, his hand returning to stroke Nico's cock in tandem with Percy's thrusts.

"Yes, yes, right there!" Nico screamed, his voice breaking as he came again, splattering his release over Jason's hand. The sight of Nico's orgasm tipped Percy over the edge, and he followed suit, filling Nico with his hot seed.

Jason's own climax hit hard, his body shuddering as he spilled over Nico's stomach. They lay there for a moment, panting and spent, the weight of their combined release a testament to their shared pleasure.

"Gods, that was amazing," Percy managed to say, his voice rough with exhaustion. Nico could only nod, too overwhelmed to form a coherent thought.

Jason rolled onto his back, staring up at the canopy of leaves above them. "What now?" he wondered aloud, his tone light despite the heaviness of his body.

Nico turned his head, his gaze meeting Jason's. "Whatever we want," he replied, a lazy smile spreading across his face. "We have all day."

Percy laughed, the sound infectious. "Then let's make the most of it," he suggested, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

They had spent the rest of the date enjoying each other, only stopping when Nico had all but collapsed from pleasure. Percy and Jason helped Nico wash up and tucked him into his bed. All that was left was to make him a cup of tea before he went to sleep. By the time they were heading out of the master bedroom, the warm glow of the picnic outside was instantly replaced with a chill that seemed to seep into their bones. They reassured themselves that this was Nico's home, so they were safe. But the moment, they caught sight of the figures waiting for them at the kitchen, that fleeting sense of security vanished.

Helana was the first to speak, stepping forward with an elegance that could only belong to a daughter of Aphrodite. Her smile was sweet enough to fool anyone who wasn't paying attention, but Percy wasn't fooled. He recognized the dangerous glint in her eyes—the same one he'd seen countless times in Clarisse whenever she was about to start a fight.

"Welcome to the manor," she said, her voice syrupy and smooth. "We just wanted to have a little chat... you know, about Nico." She paused, folding her hands in front of her, a classic sign of control. "He's so important to us. We need to know that he's in good hands."

Percy swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. Jason gave a stiff nod, clearly trying to keep his cool, but his nervous energy was palpable.

So, this was happening… again.

Helana took a step closer, her smile never faltering. "I trust you both understand how vital his happiness is to us."

The subtle threat was enough to make Percy shift uncomfortably on his feet, but before either of them could respond, Albert stepped forward. The son of Athena looked at them with cool detachment, eyes sharp and calculating, his brow furrowed as if analyzing every move they made. "Helana's right," he said, adjusting his glasses in a manner that screamed intimidation. "We've run the numbers. Statistically speaking, the likelihood of a relationship like this working out without any emotional damage is quite low."

Jason's face drained of color at Albert's words. "Wait, what?"

Albert adjusted his glasses again, nodding to himself like a professor lecturing two very underprepared students. "If you consider the complications of a triad relationship, the constant threat of external forces—monsters, prophecies, and, of course, the emotional baggage you both carry—the probability of you two hurting Nico, intentionally or otherwise, spikes to around 78.3%."

Percy's heart thudded in his chest as Albert rattled off his grim statistics. "But we're... we're doing our best," he said, his voice a bit more defensive than he intended.

Albert gave him a flat look. "Statistically, 'your best' isn't good enough."

Before Percy could snap back with a retort, Alexander, the ghostly son of Ares, cut in. His entire presence radiated menace, his eyes blazing with the sort of intensity that only someone with Ares' blood could manage. He didn't bother with logical breakdowns or veiled threats. His approach was much more direct.

"If either of you breaks his heart," Alexander said, his voice low and dangerous, "I'll make sure you regret it. And trust me, demigods or not, you won't see it coming."

There was a pause—one heavy with the weight of unspoken promises of pain. Alexander let the silence stretch just long enough to make Jason shift awkwardly and Percy glance at the exit as if gauging the distance between himself and the door. Neither dared to speak.

It was Harry, the child of Hecate, who rounded out the group. They floated slightly above the floor, their ethereal form shimmering in the candlelight. Harry's smile was disarming—charming, even—but there was something unsettling in the way they watched Percy and Jason, like a cat sizing up a mouse.

"Me? Oh, I don't do threats," Harry said airily, their voice dripping with false innocence. "But, you know, if something were to go wrong, I might be inclined to... rearrange a few things." They wiggled their fingers, conjuring small sparks of magic in the air. "Memories, maybe. Or emotions. Nothing too drastic. Just enough to make sure Nico stays happy, and you two... well, let's just say you'd be different."

Percy felt his stomach drop. Jason's eyes darted toward Percy, wide with concern. Whatever Harry was implying, it wasn't good.

Helana's voice broke the suffocating silence. "We're just looking out for him," she said, her tone deceptively gentle. "I'm sure you understand."

"Yeah, sure," Percy muttered, though his usual bravado was nowhere to be found. He could feel Jason's discomfort radiating beside him, both of them acutely aware of just how badly this "chat" had gone.

"Wonderful," Helana said sweetly, clapping her hands together in mock celebration. "Now that we're all on the same page, we'll allow you to be back on your way."

With that, the ghostly quartet disappeared as suddenly as they had appeared, leaving Percy and Jason standing in the middle of the grand hall, looking thoroughly rattled. The silence in the room was almost oppressive after the ghosts' departure.

Percy exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Well... that was... something."

Jason nodded, his usual easy confidence shaken. "I feel like we just survived a battle without lifting a sword."

"Except this time," Percy muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, "we didn't win."

They stood there for a moment, both of them reeling from the intensity of the encounter. Percy's mind raced with everything they'd been told—especially Albert's unsettling breakdown of their chances. Statistically, it didn't look great. But Percy had never cared much for statistics.

"Do you think we're in over our heads?" Jason asked quietly, breaking the silence. There was a vulnerability in his voice, something Percy didn't often hear from him. Jason was usually the one with the plan, the one who knew what to do. But right now, he looked as uncertain as Percy felt.

Percy took a deep breath, meeting Jason's gaze. "We've faced worse," he said, his voice firming. "Besides, Nico's worth it."

Jason's lips curved into a small, appreciative smile, and some of the tension seemed to melt away. "Yeah," he agreed, "he really is."

They stood there a little longer, the quiet of the manor pressing in around them, but this time it felt different. Despite the threats, the statistics, the looming potential for failure—they weren't going to back down.

When Percy and Jason finally stumbled back into the master bedroom, they looked like they'd been through a mini-war—and judging by the way they almost dropped the cup of lavender tea, they practically had. Nico was already there, lounging on his bed amidst the vibrant lilies on his duvet, looking every bit the picture of relaxation. The moment he spotted them, though, a laugh burst out of him, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement.

"You two look like you've seen ghosts," Nico teased, the corner of his mouth quirking up into a smirk. He leaned back on his elbows, clearly reveling in their disheveled state.

Percy, who normally had a comeback for everything, just flopped down onto the bed beside Nico with an exaggerated groan. "Well, technically, we did." He rubbed his face, as if trying to scrub away the lingering tension of the encounter with Nico's overprotective ghostly relatives.

Jason, on the other hand, sat down more gingerly, passing the cup to his boyfriend. "Yeah, I don't think 'ghosts' really covers it. More like... a mob of very aggressive, very dead in-laws."

Nico chuckled, clearly enjoying how rattled they both were. "Ah, right. You must've met Helana, Albert, Alexander, and Harry." He casually took a sip from his tea, completely unfazed. "They're a bit... intense."

"A bit?" Jason muttered, eyeing Nico like he was completely underselling the trauma. "Alexander looked like he was five seconds away from actually strangling us, and Harry? They were ready to curse us into another dimension."

Percy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you might want to give us a little warning next time your bodyguards are waiting to play 'intimidate the demigods.'"

Nico's smirk grew wider with zero concern. "Where's the fun in that?" he asked, raising a brow. "Besides, you survived. Barely." He laughed softly, knowing he was pushing their buttons but not able to resist. He loved seeing them squirm just a little.

Jason shook his head, half-smiling now as the tension began to ebb away. "This is why you can't have nice things, Di Angelo.

"Hey," Nico said, his tone mock-offended, "I am the nice thing." He winked, making both Percy and Jason roll their eyes.

"You sure are, angel," Jason agreed, with a fond smile, making Nico blush.

As the night deepened, the soft glow of the moonlight casting silver shadows across the garden, the picnic turned into something almost magical. The air was warm, filled with the scent of blooming lilies. Soon Nico had fallen asleep, which meant it was time for Jason and Percy to make their way back home. They left the manor to wait for Mrs. O'Leary. They might no longer be inside the building, but they were still in Di Angelo territory. And no one was foolish enough to try something in Di Angelo territory.

Which meant that the ambush came out of nowhere—one second, Percy and Jason were basking in the glow of their perfect date with Nico, the next, they were being flanked by Reyna, Hylla, and Herophile. To make matters worse, the Hunt of Artemis stood in formation behind them, looking ready to launch an assault at the drop of a bowstring.

"You've got to be kidding me," Percy muttered, his eyes going wide as he took in the scene. Jason shot him a sideways glance, equally stunned. "Do we ever catch a break?"

Before either of them could react further, they were dragged off into an entirely new round of shovel talks. Only this time, it wasn't Nico's ghostly protectors or his Godly siblings giving them the business—this was the mortal side of Nico's life coming in strong.

Reyna, now fully embracing her role in the Hunt of Artemis, was the first to speak. Her words were blunt, no-nonsense, and delivered with that signature Reyna fierceness that left no room for argument. "I don't care that you've fought monsters, or even the Gods themselves. If you hurt Nico," she said, her eyes narrowing into a glare that could melt steel, "you'll have me to answer to. And trust me, Jackson, Grace, the Gods won't save you from me."

Jason tried to open his mouth, maybe to make a witty retort or to reassure her, but one look from Reyna had him shutting up immediately. The crackling tension in the air was palpable, and even Percy—who was usually ready with a snarky comeback—could only swallow nervously.

Hylla stepped up next, her presence just as commanding. She crossed her arms, her posture tense and her expression deadly serious. "Let's get one thing straight," she began, her voice low but deadly. "You mess with my little brother, and I'll show you just how creative I can get with my vengeance."

Jason shifted uncomfortably, the memory of Amazons dragging him into combat still fresh in his mind. Percy raised his hands in mock surrender, trying to lighten the mood, though the sweat on his brow betrayed his nerves. "Okay, okay, noted—don't mess with Nico. Got it. No messing." He flashed his signature grin, but it didn't seem to win Hylla over. She just raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

Then Herophile, the augur of New Rome, stepped forward, her presence more ethereal than intimidating, but no less serious. Her voice carried a mystical tone, the kind that made your spine tingle. "The fates are watching closely," she said, her eyes distant, as if she were peering into another realm. "And should you stray from your path—should you falter in your love for Nico—the consequences will be... dire."

Percy opened his mouth to ask what she meant by "dire," but then quickly decided against it. He didn't need to know. The dramatic flair of a prophecy was something he had long learned to avoid questioning. Jason, however, visibly gulped, standing straighter like a soldier at attention.

"Dire. Right. Got it," Jason mumbled, casting a quick glance at Percy, who nodded fervently. There was no mistaking the seriousness in Herophile's words. They didn't need to be cursed by another cryptic prophecy. One was enough for a lifetime.

The Huntresses stood in the background, arms crossed, each one of them exuding that aura of fierce loyalty and no-nonsense attitude. Their silent presence spoke louder than words—if Percy or Jason even thought about hurting Nico, they'd have the entire Hunt of Artemis to deal with, and that was a terrifying thought.

Reyna finally uncrossed her arms, stepping back slightly, but the intensity didn't ease. "We're serious," she added, her tone softening just a fraction, though her eyes still burned with protective resolve. "Nico deserves to be happy, and if you two screw this up... well, you'll wish to be in Tartarus."

The weight of Reyna's words hit hard. Percy and Jason exchanged glances, and for once, neither had a sarcastic quip ready. The gravity of Nico's happiness, of how much he meant to these women, settled over them like a heavy blanket.

After a moment of tense silence, Jason cleared his throat. "Look, we know how important Nico is," he said, his voice steady but full of sincerity. "To all of you. And trust me, neither of us are planning to mess this up. Nico... he means everything to us."

Percy nodded in agreement, the usual playfulness in his demeanor replaced with a rare moment of seriousness. "We've been through too much with him to do anything that would hurt him. I swear," Percy said, his voice low but firm. "We're all in this, and we're not going anywhere."

The tension in the air seemed to ease, just a little. Reyna's stern expression softened, and Hylla gave them both an appraising look, as if she were weighing the truth in their words. After a beat, she gave a single nod, almost grudgingly, but it was a nod of approval, nonetheless.

"Good," Reyna finally said, her tone still sharp but no longer threatening. "Just make sure you keep it that way."

Herophile stepped back, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "May the fates be kind to you," she said, cryptic as ever, before turning to leave with the rest of the Huntresses.

As the group of women walked away, Percy and Jason both let out a collective sigh of relief, their shoulders sagging as the weight of the confrontation finally lifted

"That was... intense," Jason muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

Percy exhaled slowly, shaking his head in disbelief. "I'm starting to think Nico's family is scarier than the monsters we fight."

Jason snorted in agreement, but before he could respond, they heard a chuckle behind them. A sudden burst of silver light signaled they were far from done. Artemis appeared out of nowhere, her silver cloak billowing like a storm cloud as she stood before them, arms crossed, her piercing eyes fixed on them. The tension was back in full force. Jason could almost feel his spine locking up again. Beside her, Apollo arrived with his usual sunny aura, though this time, the brightness did little to soften the intensity radiating from his sister.

Percy swallowed hard, his eyes darting between the two gods. "Oh, come on. More shovel talks?" he muttered under his breath, though he quickly shut up when Artemis raised an eyebrow at him.

"Percy. Jason." Artemis's voice was steady, cold like a winter breeze, but it carried the kind of weight that only a Goddess could bring. "Nico is one of the few men I consider a friend. An exception among exceptions." Her eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing both demigods with an intensity that made even Percy—a veteran of Gods and monsters—squirm.

"An exception?" Jason asked cautiously, glancing at Nico, who simply raised an eyebrow in silent amusement. Of course, Nico had the man-hater Goddess in his corner

Artemis nodded once, her expression not shifting. "I don't give those out lightly, Jason Grace. I won't stand idly by if the trust he placed on you is broken."

Percy held up his hands, trying to ease the tension, though the sweat on his forehead betrayed how nervous he really was. "Trust me, hurting Nico is the last thing we'd ever do. We're all in this, heart and soul." He tried his best to keep his tone light, but he knew better than to be flippant around Artemis.

Jason nodded in agreement, his hand gripping Nico's shoulder gently, as if to prove they were both right there, committed. "We get it, Lady Artemis. Nico means the world to us. No harm will ever come to him from us."

For a long moment, Artemis just stared at them, her silver eyes as sharp as arrows. Then, finally, she nodded in approval, but her words still carried a warning. "Good. But remember, I do not easily forgive. Nor do I forget."

The air felt like it could snap in half from the tension alone, but then Apollo stepped forward, breaking the intensity with his easygoing grin. His golden hair practically shimmered under the moonlight, and while he looked more relaxed than Artemis, there was still something protective in his posture. "You guys really know how to complicate things, huh?"

Jason chuckled nervously, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, we kind of have a habit of... making things difficult."

Apollo's smile didn't falter, but his eyes flicked between them with a seriousness that felt out of place for the usually light-hearted god. "Just so we're clear, I've blessed Nico before, and that's not something I do lightly." His voice dipped, the usual humor replaced with a subtle edge. "I'd hate to see him get hurt because of this... arrangement."

Percy straightened up, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Look, we're not about to hurt him. Ever."

Jason chimed in, nodding vigorously. "We're in this for real, Lord Apollo. We wouldn't risk Nico for anything."

Apollo tilted his head, studying them for a beat longer, then cracked another easy smile. "Alright, alright, I believe you. Just... don't make me write a sad song about this if it all falls apart, yeah?" He winked, but Percy and Jason could sense the unspoken challenge beneath the joke.

"Sad song?" Percy muttered, still feeling the tension from Artemis's warning. "If you write a breakup ballad about us, I'm out."

Jason smirked from beside them, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the moment. "I'd pay to see that," he said, glancing at Apollo with a dry chuckle. "Maybe something with a catchy chorus?"

Apollo grinned, looking almost giddy at the idea. "Ooh, now you're talking! But let's avoid that, shall we?" His smile faded slightly as he gave Percy and Jason one last look, more sincere now. "Just... take care of him. Okay?"

The seriousness of Apollo's tone caught Percy off guard, but it hit home. He nodded firmly, meeting Apollo's eyes with equal determination. "We will."

Jason stepped up too, his hand resting briefly on Nico's arm. "He's safe with us. Always."

With that, Apollo's smile returned, and Artemis finally seemed satisfied as well. The goddess of the hunt gave Nico a final nod before vanishing in a shimmer of silver light, Apollo following after her, though not before giving Percy and Jason a casual wave.

As the light faded, the night air settled back into its usual calm, and Percy finally exhaled the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Gods," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Jason let out a relieved laugh, though his shoulders still held some of the tension from earlier. "At least they didn't curse us. Could have been worse."

"Oh, don't jinx it," Percy groaned, but he was smiling now, his usual humor returning. "Next thing you know, we'll have to fight off some kind of divine trial just to prove our love."

Jason's lips twitched, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Knowing our luck? Probably."

"I mean! Is there anyone left not lining up to interrogate us about Nico?" Percy groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. His mind was still spinning from the gauntlet they'd just survived. "Seriously, I'm half-expecting the spirits of ancient Romans to pop up next with their own set of rules."

Jason laughed, though it was the kind of laugh you give when you're both amused and resigned to the madness. "I wouldn't be surprised, man. Give it a few hours. You know this world." His smile widened as he nudged Percy's shoulder. "Face it, Nico's got the most intense family on both sides of life. It's part of the deal."

Percy rolled his eyes dramatically, though the fondness for Nico in his voice was undeniable. "Oh, don't I know it. I mean, I thought my family had issues, but Nico's family? Next-level."

"You know," Jason's voice was quieter now, "as ridiculous as today was... it's kinda worth it." He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, his eyes flicking over to Percy, waiting for his reaction.

Percy smirked, but there was something genuine behind his eyes as he responded, "Oh, for sure. I mean, we're talking about Nico here. I'd go through worse for him." His smirk turned into a grin as he added, "But let's not tell him that. He's got a big enough head already."

Jason snorted, shaking his head, but he couldn't deny the truth of it. Nico was worth every bit of madness, and they both knew it. There was something about him, about how much he meant to them both, that made every interrogation, every threat from gods or ghosts, something they'd happily endure.

"Think we'll ever get a break?" Jason asked, more to himself than to Percy, his voice tinged with hope and a little exhaustion.

Percy just laughed, a sharp, knowing sound. "In this life? Nah. Breaks are for people without prophecies hanging over their heads."

Jason cracked a smile. "I think we can handle it. I mean, we've faced worse, right?"

"Right. Monsters, Gods with questionable judgment... dating a guy with an overprotective family? Piece of cake." Percy stretched his arms over his head, groaning slightly. "I just hope Nico appreciates all this."

Jason smirked, glancing over at him. "Oh, he does. He might not say it—he's got that whole brooding, mysterious thing going on—but he knows."

There was a pause, a comfortable silence. Then, as if reading each other's thoughts, they both burst out laughing at the sheer absurdity of the situation. Dating the King of Ghosts wasn't just about fighting monsters or surviving quests—it was about navigating a maze of family members and ancient protectors, all while trying to keep their own heads above water.

"Honestly," Percy said between chuckles, "I don't know what I expected when we started this. A romantic dinner, maybe a walk in the park... but getting ambushed by, what, half of Nico's extended family?"

"More than half," Jason replied with a grin. "I think there are a few shades we haven't met yet."

Percy groaned, rubbing his face. "Great. More shovel talks."

Jason laughed again, but his gaze softened as he thought about Nico. "Hey, no regrets, right?"

"None. Not even for a second." Percy smiled, a soft, genuine expression as he looked up at the night sky. "Besides," Percy said, breaking the silence again, "he's not exactly a walk in the park either. We've got to keep him in line just as much as he keeps us on our toes."

Jason laughed, nodding. "Yeah, someone's got to remind him he's not as scary as he thinks."

Just then Mrs. O'Leary finally shadowtravelled before them. Jason continued laughing, as Percy groaned. "Now you decide to appear! Couldn't you have been here in time? Or at least ten minutes ago? You could have saved us from an awkward conversation with Gods!"