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.

63. ACT VI – PART IV

Nico entered Percy's cluttered office, the air thick with the scent of old books and leather. The room was dimly lit by a single desk lamp, casting long shadows across the worn-out furniture. Percy was seated at his desk, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, pretending to be engrossed in grading papers. Nico paused at the door, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew what he had to do to improve his grades, and it wasn't just about studying harder.

"Professor Jackson," Nico began, his voice trembling slightly, "I need to talk to you about my grades."

Percy looked up from his papers, a stern expression on his face. "Mr. di Angelo, you've been struggling for weeks. What makes you think I can help?"

Nico stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him. "I... I know I haven't been putting in the effort, but I want to change that. Is there anything I can do to make up for it?"

Percy leaned back in his chair, studying Nico with a critical eye. "Perhaps we should discuss this in more detail. Come closer."

Nico approached the desk, his legs feeling like jelly beneath him. He could feel Percy's gaze burning into him, and it made his skin tingle. As he stood before the professor, he noticed the slight bulge in Percy's pants, a reminder of their previous encounters.

"Bend over the desk," Percy ordered, his voice low and commanding.

Nico hesitated for a moment, then complied, leaning over the wooden surface. The cool wood pressed against his bare chest, and he could feel his nipples tightening in response. Percy stood up, circling around Nico like a predator assessing its prey. The older man's hands slid down Nico's sides, sending shivers through his body.

"You're here to earn your grades, aren't you?" Percy murmured, his breath hot against Nico's ear.

"Yes, sir," Nico replied, his voice barely audible.

Without warning, Percy's hand came down hard on Nico's ass, making him yelp. The sting was sharp and immediate, but it only served to heighten his arousal. Percy's fingers kneaded the reddening flesh, massaging the pain away as he continued to spank Nico. Each slap echoed in the small office, mingling with Nico's uneven breaths.

"Beg me for it," Percy commanded, his voice dripping with authority.

Nico bit his lip, trying to suppress a moan. "Please, Professor Jackson... I need it..."

Percy chuckled darkly, his hand leaving Nico's ass to undo his own belt. The sound of metal clinking against leather filled the room, followed by the soft rustle of fabric. Nico's heart raced as he heard Percy unzipping his fly, revealing the rigid cock underneath.

"Open wide," Percy instructed, positioning himself in front of Nico.

Nico parted his lips obediently, and Percy's dick slid between them, hitting the back of his throat. The sensation was overwhelming, and Nico gagged slightly, but he kept going, sucking and licking as best he could. Percy's hands gripped Nico's head, guiding him up and down the length of his shaft.

"That's it, boy," Percy groaned, thrusting deeper into Nico's mouth. "Show me how much you want those grades."

Nico's eyes watered as he struggled to keep up with the demanding pace. His throat burned, and his jaw ached, but he didn't dare stop. The taste of Percy's precum filled his mouth, adding another layer to the sensory overload. He could hear the rhythmic slapping of flesh against flesh, each sound reverberating through his skull.

Finally, Percy pulled out, breathing heavily. "On your knees," he growled.

Nico dropped to his knees without hesitation, looking up at Percy with pleading eyes. Percy stroked his cock, his fingers slick with precome. He positioned himself directly in front of Nico's face, the head of his dick hovering just inches from Nico's open mouth.

"Suck it," Percy demanded, his tone brooking no argument.

Nico wrapped his lips around the tip, taking as much of Percy's cock into his mouth as he could. His tongue swirled around the sensitive flesh, tasting the familiar saltiness. Percy's hips moved of their own accord, driving himself deeper into Nico's throat. Nico's hands instinctively reached up to cup Percy's balls, squeezing gently as he continued to suck.

"Fuck, Nico," Percy muttered, his fingers tangling in Nico's hair. "You're such a good student."

The praise sent a thrill through Nico's body, spurring him on to greater heights of pleasure. He hollowed his cheeks, creating a tight seal around Percy's dick. The vibrations from his moans resonated through the shaft, driving Percy wild. Nico could feel the telltale twitch of an impending orgasm, and he prepared himself for the surge.

Percy's hand tightened in Nico's hair, pulling him closer. "Get ready, boy," he warned, his voice strained.

Nico braced himself, his throat muscles tensing as Percy erupted inside his mouth. Hot jets of cum flooded his oral cavity, filling him to the brim. He swallowed quickly, desperate not to miss a drop. The taste of Percy's release was intense, almost overpowering, but Nico reveled in it. He continued to suck until every last trace of come was gone, his mouth working tirelessly.

When Percy finally pulled out, the room felt eerily quiet. Nico stayed on his knees, panting heavily. Percy reached down, tipping Nico's chin up so their eyes met.

"That's enough, Nico," Professor Jackson murmured, pulling Nico's head away from his dick with a gentle but firm hand. Nico looked up at him, his eyes wide and dark with lust, his lips shiny and wet. "Clean me up," the professor commanded, handing Nico a cloth that had been lying on the desk.

Nico took the cloth obediently, his hands trembling slightly as he wiped the mix of saliva and cum from Professor Jackson's cock. The sight of Nico's slender fingers wrapped around the older boy's shaft was almost too much for him to bear. He wanted Nico, needed to fuck him hard and deep, to bury himself inside that tight little body and lose himself in the sensation.

As Nico finished cleaning the cock before him, Professor Jackson smoothly moved behind him, his hands reaching out to rest on Nico's narrow hips. The boy tensed slightly, his breath hitching in his throat, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he leaned back into Percy's touch, offering himself up willingly.

"Good boy," Professor Jackson whispered, his voice low and husky with desire. He gave Nico's ass a light spank, enjoying the way the flesh jiggled under his hand. Nico whimpered, his cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and arousal. Percy's cock twitched, getting hard again, the head nudging against Nico's entrance, slick with precome and ready to enter.

"You want it, don't you?" Professor Jackson asked, his breath hot against Nico's ear. "You certainly earned your grades, yet you still want me to fuck you hard?"

Nico nodded, his face pressed against the desk as he spread his legs wider, giving Professor Jackson better access. Professor Jackson grinned, his heart pounding with excitement. He reached for the lube that was sitting within arm's reach, squeezing a generous amount onto his fingers. Slowly, he rubbed the cool liquid over Nico's hole, feeling the muscles clench around his digits.

"Relax," Professor Jackson instructed, pressing two fingers inside Nico's tight channel. The boy let out a small gasp, his body trembling as Professor Jackson worked his fingers in and out, stretching him open. Professor Jackson could feel the heat radiating from Nico's insides, the walls of his passage gripping his fingers tightly. He added a third finger, scissoring them inside Nico to prepare him for what was coming.

Nico's breaths were coming faster now, his body arching off the desk as he tried to accommodate Professor Jackson's fingers. Professor Jackson could see the strain on his face, the way his jaw clenched in concentration, but there was also a look of pure pleasure in his eyes. Professor Jackson knew Nico loved this, loved being taken by him, stretched and filled until he couldn't think straight.

"Ready?" Professor Jackson asked, removing his fingers and lining his cock up with Nico's entrance.

Nico nodded, his eyes fluttering shut as Professor Jackson pushed inside. The boy's inner muscles clenched around his dick like a vice, making Professor Jackson groan with pleasure. It was always so tight, so hot, and so damn good. He could feel every inch of Nico's channel, the way it gripped him, trying to milk him dry.

Professor Jackson started slow, giving Nico time to adjust to his size. But soon, the need to thrust, to pound into that sweet spot inside Nico, became too strong to resist. He grabbed Nico's hips tighter, pulling him back onto his cock with each powerful thrust. The sound of their bodies slapping together filled the room, accompanied by Nico's increasingly desperate cries.

"Fuck, Nico, you feel so good," Professor Jackson grunted, his vision narrowing to focus solely on the sensations of Nico's body beneath him. He could feel the boy's muscles spasming around his dick, the way Nico's cock bounced against his stomach with each thrust. It was too much, and yet not enough. He needed more, needed to push Nico further, to make him scream.

With a growl, Professor Jackson pulled Nico's hips back even harder, slamming into him with bruising force. Nico cried out, his hands clutching the edge of the desk as he struggled to stay upright. But Professor Jackson wasn't done with him yet. He reached around, grabbing Nico's straining cock and pumping it in time with his thrusts.

"Come for me, Nico," Professor Jackson demanded, his voice rough with exertion. "Let me hear you come."

Nico's body trembled, his release building rapidly under Professor Jackson's ministrations. With a strangled cry, he came, his seed spraying across the desk as Professor Jackson continued to fuck him mercilessly. The contractions of Nico's orgasm sent Professor Jackson over the edge as well, his own climax hitting him hard and fast. He spilled into Nico's depths, his hips stuttering against the boy's ass as he emptied himself completely.

For a moment, they stayed like that, both panting heavily as their bodies shuddered with aftershocks. Professor Jackson rested his forehead against Nico's back, his heart still racing from the intensity of their coupling. He could feel the sweat trickling down his spine, the scent of their mingled arousal heavy in the air.

"Damn, Nico," Professor Jackson muttered, his voice thick with satisfaction. "You never disappoint."

Nico turned his head slightly, his eyes half-lidded with exhaustion and pleasure. "Thank you, sir," he whispered, his voice trembling.

Percy took a deep breath as he let go of the professor persona, his shoulders relaxing and his expression softening. He looked at Nico with a warm smile, reaching out to touch his cheek gently.

"That was intense," Percy admitted, his voice low and sincere. "But I think we both enjoyed it, didn't we?"

Nico nodded, still catching his breath. The roleplay had been thrilling, pushing them both in ways they hadn't anticipated. "Yeah, it was amazing. I loved every second of it."

Percy chuckled, leaning back slightly. "We should definitely do this again. Maybe next time, we can come up with something even more exciting."

Nico's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Like what? Do you have any ideas?"

Percy thought for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities. "Well, how about we try something completely different? Maybe I could be a dirty pirate that steals the poor virginal prince and has his wicked way with him. "

Nico grinned, imagining the scenarios. "That sounds fun. We could put those marine knot ability of yours to use."

"Exactly." Percy purred darkly.

Nico's breath hitched at the idea, his imagination running wild. "Oh, that would be hot."

Percy smirked, feeling a rush of excitement at the prospect. "I like where this is going. We could also incorporate some physical challenges." Nico's heart raced as he imagined the possibilities. "I can't wait to start planning. This is going to be so much fun."

Percy smiled warmly, brushing a strand of hair away from Nico's face. "Me too. But for now, let's just enjoy each other's company. No more roleplaying, just us."

Not that they really got a change to it.

As just then, Mellie bursts into the classroom unannounced. Well, "bursts" might be a bit much—she floats in like a vaporous breeze, slipping through the door cracks in her typical fashion of making an entrance. Nico and Percy, completely caught off guard, both still undressed. Nico's eyes widen in horror as Mellie materializes with all the enthusiasm of a news anchor about to break a big story.

"Uh... wrong time, Mellie!" Nico blurts out, his face going as red as a strawberry. Percy, always one to roll with the absurdity of demigod life, bursts into laughter, pulling a jacket over himself while Nico scrambles to find his clothes.

Mellie, utterly unbothered by the situation, raises an eyebrow as though this is the most normal thing in the world—because, frankly, in the world of demigods, it kind of is. She huffs in mock impatience, crossing her arms over her ethereal form. "You two have exactly five minutes to get dressed and not look like you just walked out of a house of ill repute," she says, tapping her foot with the kind of authority that only someone used to herding demigods can manage. "We've got a war council, remember?"

Percy, still laughing, shakes his head and tosses Nico his shirt. "I don't know, Mellie," he says with a grin, pulling his pants on. "I think your timing could use some work. Maybe give us a tiny bit of a warning next time?" He winks at her, still riding the wave of absurdity.

Nico, on the other hand, is less amused and more mortified, mumbling something about privacy and locks under his breath. His hair is still ruffled from their previous "activities," and he fumbles with his belt, his cheeks flushed. "I swear, one of these days..." he starts but cuts off when he sees the faint smirk still lingering on Mellie's lips.

"You're welcome," she says breezily. "Now get moving!"

Once both demigods are more or less presentable—Percy with his typical casual swagger and Nico, now finally composed, dressed in his usual black with a grim expression to match—the three of them make their way to the boardroom. The sound of footsteps echoes in the hall, creating a sharp contrast to the earlier chaos.

"Next time," Nico mutters, eyes still darting around nervously as if half-expecting another surprise, "let's just make sure the door is... I don't know, bolted?"

Percy snorts, nudging him playfully. "Or we could install a 'Do Not Disturb' sign? Maybe something that lights up in neon?" He flashes Nico a grin, always ready to turn any situation into a joke.

Nico, despite himself, rolls his eyes and allows a small, reluctant smile to tug at the corners of his mouth. "You're impossible, you know that?"

They round a corner, and the atmosphere shifts. The door to the boardroom looms ahead, and the easy banter fades as they slip back into "serious demigod mode." As they step through the door, they're greeted by the sight of various demigods, Huntresses, and key figures from both Elysium Prep and Camp Half-Blood. The energy in the room is tense, a clear reminder that the upcoming war with the Titans is no laughing matter.

But that doesn't stop Percy from whispering under his breath, "We really need to work on our timing. Or our locks."

Clarisse gives them both a raised eyebrow as they slide into their seats. "Rough morning?"

Percy grins. "A fun one."

Nico shoots him a warning look, but it's ruined by the faint blush still lingering on his cheeks.

Mellie, now standing near the front of the room, gives them a knowing look as she adjusts the holographic screen in front of her, preparing to project strategy maps for the group. "Alright, everyone," she says, her voice commanding the attention of the entire room. "Let's focus. We've got Titans to discuss, and I really don't want to interrupt any more... personal moments today."

The room erupts into stifled laughter, with several people exchanging amused glances. Percy tries to keep a straight face but fails miserably, while Nico buries his face in his hands for a brief moment before leaning forward, his expression serious once again.

"Well," Nico says dryly, looking around the room, "I guess that's one way to break the ice."

The lightheartedness did not last long as the meeting began, as the tension in the air was thick enough to slice through, a mix of focus and anticipation as the core team—Ethan, Alabaster, Clarisse, Silena, and Charles—sit around the large conference table. Maps of New York and San Francisco are scattered across the surface, marked with lines and symbols showing the battle zones, potential ambush points, and places that need to be fortified.

Ethan's brow is furrowed in concentration as he argues something with Alabaster about reinforcements in the city. Alabaster counters him with a quiet intensity. Clarisse leans back in her chair, her arms crossed, clearly itching for action rather than planning. Her impatience is practically vibrating off her, but she doesn't interrupt—yet. Silena is busy poring over a map, her fingers tracing potential supply routes, while Charles nods beside her, pointing out modifications for any repairs they might need on the go.

Mellie clicks her fingers and the holographic screen flickers to life at the head of the table. The room quiets, and Percy steals a quick glance at Nico. There's something about seeing Nico like this, poised, calm, with that determined edge, that fills Percy with pride. It's hard to believe that just a few years ago, Nico had been this brooding kid, lost in his own darkness. Now, here he is, a leader—commanding respect in a room full of demigods. And, well, Percy can't help but feel a certain warmth in his chest knowing they're in this together.

"Alright, let's focus," Mellie says, bringing their attention back to the task at hand. "We need to finalize the defense plans for both coasts. Clarisse, you're leading the charge with the Huntresses and the Camp Jupiter crew in San Francisco. Ethan, Alabaster, you've got the tactical breakdown for the reinforcements in New York. Silena, we need logistics for supplies and any evacuation plans."

Silena nods, already flipping through her notes, her soft voice carrying through the room as she outlines the distribution of weapons and rations. Charles quietly adds in suggestions, talking about structural support for makeshift bases. The efficiency with which they communicate is almost hypnotic. They're a team—different personalities, but perfectly in sync when it comes to battle prep.

Percy leans forward, resting his elbows on the table as his eyes drift to the maps. "What about ground defenses in Manhattan?" he asks, his mind racing through everything he knows about the city's layout. "Central Park's a good ambush spot for the Titans, lots of space for them to hide. We need to make sure we're not walking into a trap."

Alabaster nods in agreement, pushing his glasses up his nose as he makes a few adjustments to the map on the hologram. "Agreed. We'll position sentries along the perimeter, especially near the reservoirs. We'll also need an aerial defense if they bring in giants."

Clarisse scanned the map. "We should have backup flying squads from Camp Jupiter on standby."

Mellie nodded in agreement and shifted the screen to focus on San Francisco. "Back to the west coast... Reyna has already set up defenses along the Golden Gate Bridge, but we're going to need more reinforcements along the coastline. The Titans are going to hit hard, so we need to be ready."

"Mellie is right," Nico agreed. "Charles, what is Hephaestus' Cabin bringing to the fold?"

Nico, still quiet, studies the map intently. His fingers tap lightly on the table as he considers the defense strategies being discussed. He might not say much, but the way his eyes flicker over the plans shows that his mind is already three steps ahead. Percy watches him out of the corner of his eye and smiles. Nico has this way of thinking through every possible angle, like he's always expecting the worst and planning accordingly.

As Charles starts explaining the concept behind the glitter bombs, there's an undeniable energy in the room. His eyes light up as he gestures wildly, clearly proud of the work the Hephaestus cabin has been doing. "So, picture this," he says, spinning one of the metallic orbs in his hand. "You throw this bad boy, and not only does it explode, but it coats the enemy in shimmering glitter. Think about it—no one can be intimidating when they're sparkling like a disco ball."

Clarisse crosses her arms, trying to maintain her usual scowl, but even she can't help but smirk. "Yeah, I'm sure the Titans will be shaking in their boots." Her sarcasm is biting, but there's a hint of amusement behind it. "But hey, if they can't see us through all the glitter, it's still a win, right?"

Percy laughs, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I can't wait to see Kronos covered in sparkles. That'll really knock him off his high horse." He leans back in his chair, already imagining the ridiculousness of it.

Nico, who's been sitting quietly next to Percy, lets out a low chuckle. "I mean, it's probably better than facing down an army of monsters with zero style." His voice is dry, but there's a twinkle in his eyes, a rare moment of levity that doesn't go unnoticed. Percy shoots him a sidelong grin, feeling a burst of warmth at Nico's easy banter.

Alabaster clears his throat, stepping up to present his own plan. His demeanor is more serious than Charles', but there's an intensity to his focus that commands the room's attention. He flips through a set of diagrams and enchantments projected on the screen behind him. "We've been working on a set of defensive spells," he begins, his voice steady. "Not just your standard magical barriers, but something that adapts to attacks in real-time. The more they throw at us, the stronger our defenses become."

There's a murmur of approval around the table. Silena leans in, studying the diagrams with interest. "That's…actually genius," she says, her eyes flicking up to meet Alabaster's. "So, we'd be drawing power from their attacks, turning it back on them?"

"Exactly," Alabaster nods, his green eyes glinting. "We're also working on offensive spells that can disrupt their communications and create chaos in their ranks. If they can't coordinate, it'll be easier to split them up and take them down."

Ethan looks impressed, running a hand through his hair. "I've gotta admit, that's next-level stuff. This could actually turn the tide."

As they continue discussing, the room hums with a strange mix of anticipation and camaraderie. Everyone knows the stakes are high, but there's also a growing sense of unity—like maybe, just maybe, they've got a real shot at winning this.

As Silena speaks, her voice is strong and steady, her usual softness replaced by an air of fierce determination. "We'll be setting up healing tents in strategic locations," she explains, pointing to spots on a map spread across the table. "We'll need fast access to the frontlines and quick evacuation routes for the seriously wounded." Her eyes flick between the demigods gathered, locking onto Percy, Jason, and Nico with an intensity that leaves no room for argument. "And trust me, no one's getting left behind. We'll make sure of it."

There's a moment of silence as the weight of her words sinks in. Percy, leaning back in his chair, shoots her an approving grin. "I don't doubt it. You've got this, Silena."

She smiles, though there's a flicker of nerves in her expression, as if she's mentally going over the logistics in her head. "Thanks."

Clarisse crosses her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. "We're gonna need shields too—something big enough to cover the med tents." She turns to Nico, her usual bluntness cutting through the chatter. "Think Triumvirate can handle that?"

Nico, ever the picture of calm under pressure, nods. "Consider it done. We've got armor, tanks, weapons... Whatever you need, we can supply it." He pulls a sleek tablet from his jacket and starts tapping away, scanning through inventory lists. The light from the screen illuminates his face, making him look even more like the King of Ghosts than usual, his dark curls casting shadows against his sharp cheekbones.

Percy glances over his shoulder at the screen, curiosity piqued. "You've got tanks?" he asks, half-incredulous but also half-impressed. Nico doesn't even look up as he replies.

"Percy, you know I have tanks, I have mentioned my tanks many times," Nico deadpanned as Percy pouted and everyone else laughed. "They're custom-built. Reinforced with Celestial Bronze plating. They'll hold up against pretty much anything—Titans, monsters, or whatever else they throw at us." Nico's tone is nonchalant, but there's a subtle satisfaction in his words. He might not like to flaunt it, but he's clearly proud of the resources he's gathered for this war.

Clarisse smirks. "Celestial Bronze tanks? Nice. Maybe you're more useful than I thought, Di Angelo."

Nico shoots her a dry look, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "High praise, La Rue. Try not to get too emotional."

Charles snickers, shaking his head. "You two are ridiculous."

"Ridiculously awesome, you mean," Clarisse fires back, her grin widening.

The banter between Nico and Clarisse is fast and sharp, like a sword fight with words. Their verbal sparring is quick, but there's an underlying respect between them. It's clear that while they might poke fun at each other, when push comes to shove, they're on the same side.

Silena watches the exchange, her fingers idly twirling a strand of her hair as she chuckles at the dynamic. She's used to Clarisse's no-nonsense attitude, but it's always a little funny to see her sparring with Nico, who's somehow mastered the art of being both intimidating and nonchalant at the same time.

Ethan leans back in his chair, watching the discussion unfold with a small smile. He's more relaxed now, falling easily into the rhythm of planning with the group. Despite the heavy weight of what they're preparing for, there's a strange comfort in the camaraderie. They're all in this together, and for now, that's enough.

Alabaster, still standing by the board with his notes on defensive spells, clears his throat. "Let's just hope those tanks don't end up needing magical reinforcement. But just in case they do, my siblings and I are working on some spells to reinforce armor. We're talking barriers that'll redirect attacks and hold up even against Titan strength." His tone is serious, but there's an undeniable excitement in his eyes, the kind of excitement that only comes from someone who's deeply passionate about their craft.

Percy raises an eyebrow, impressed. "Titan-proof armor? That's... insane. I'm here for it."

Alabaster offers a modest shrug. "We'll make it work. I'd rather not leave anything to chance."

The discussion continues, with each demigod chiming in to refine the battle strategy. There's a palpable energy in the room, a sense of momentum building as they flesh out every detail. It's in the way they lean in when they talk, how their hands move over the map, marking out key positions, how their voices overlap as they throw out ideas and debate the best course of action.

Even amidst the planning, the mood feels... lighter. It's strange, almost surreal, given the looming battle, but it's as if the shared stress has brought them closer together. Percy catches Nico's eye more than once, and each time, there's a subtle, almost imperceptible nod between them, a silent confirmation that they've got each other's backs no matter what.

As the meeting wraps up, the group begins to rise from their seats, the tension slowly ebbing away as they prepare to disperse. There's a quiet understanding that the next time they're all together, it might be on the battlefield. The stakes are high, but they're ready. They have to be.

As they walk out of the meeting room, the weight of the upcoming battle hangs between them, heavy but unspoken. Percy pushes the door open with a little more force than necessary, the creak of it sounding too loud in the otherwise quiet hallway. Nico follows behind him, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket, shoulders hunched in that casual way he always manages to pull off.

"Dinner's on you," Nico says dryly, glancing over at Percy with a half-smirk, the corner of his lip twitching up.

Percy chuckles, already feeling the tension from the meeting slowly easing off his chest. "Fine, fine. You can pick dessert, too." His tone is light, but there's an undercurrent of relief. They made it through another day, and for now, that's something worth celebrating.

Nico raises an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "You better not be planning to bail after the check comes."

"Oh, please," Percy scoffs. "I'm an upstanding citizen of Elysium Prep. Besides, Jason would kill me before you ever could if I skipped out on a date."

The mention of Jason makes Nico's expression soften, though his eyes still carry that permanent weight of someone who's seen too much. "Jason wouldn't kill you. He'd just guilt you into feeling so bad you'd wish you were dead."

They both laugh at that, the kind of laugh that breaks up the somber mood lingering between them. Percy bumps Nico's shoulder with his own, a little affectionate nudge that says, Hey, I've got your back. Nico's smirk turns into something more real, something less guarded.

As they step outside, the warm evening air greets them, a stark contrast to the cold tension of the meeting room. "Jason's probably already at the restaurant, right?" Percy asks, glancing over at Nico.

Nico shrugs, still walking with that lazy, effortless grace of his. "You know how he is. Always early to everything. Mr. Perfect."

Percy smirks. "Yeah, well, we'll just have to make a grand entrance to make up for it. Maybe throw some glitter around, make him regret showing up on time."

Nico rolls his eyes, though the amused glint in them says he wouldn't be entirely opposed to the idea. "I think you used up all the glitter on those bombs Charles was talking about."

"Touché."

By the time they reach the Italian restaurant, the neon sign buzzing softly above the doorway, Percy's stomach is grumbling in anticipation. The cozy warmth of the place spills out onto the busy streets of New York, the smell of garlic and freshly baked bread wafting toward them, and Percy's mouth waters instantly. Inside, the soft clatter of plates and low murmur of conversation create a perfect contrast to the chaos of their usual day-to-day lives.

Sure enough, Jason's already seated at a table near the window, flipping through the menu with his usual calm, collected demeanor. When he spots them, a grin spreads across his face, the kind of grin that reaches his eyes and lights up the whole room. He stands up to greet them, casual as ever, but there's something in the way his eyes flick from Percy to Nico that says he's genuinely happy to see them.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Jason teases, crossing his arms as they approach the table.

Percy flops down into the chair across from him with an exaggerated sigh, making a big show of looking exhausted. "We had to prepare for the glitter apocalypse," Percy says dramatically, wiping fake sweat from his brow. "You wouldn't believe the amount of prep work involved."

Nico slides into his chair next to Percy, eyes already scanning the menu as if he's tuning out the playful banter. "Yeah, yeah. You're lucky I didn't make you wear a suit for this."

Jason laughs, shaking his head. "I'll consider myself spared." Then, more seriously, he adds, "But seriously, good job today. That meeting was intense."

Percy nods, his grin fading into something more thoughtful. "Yeah... everyone's taking this seriously. It's kinda surreal, honestly. The whole 'preparing for war' thing. Feels like we've been through this so many times already."

Jason leans back in his chair, his usual calm facade cracking just a little as he runs a hand through his blond hair. "It doesn't get any easier, does it?"

Nico looks up from the menu then, his dark eyes more solemn. "No," he says simply. "It doesn't. But that's why we're here. Together."

There's a beat of silence as the weight of that truth settles over them. Percy swallows hard, glancing between Nico and Jason. They've all been through so much—betrayals, near-deaths, battles that felt like they were never going to end. And yet, here they are. Still standing. Still fighting.

Still together.

Jason breaks the silence with a small, wistful smile. "Well, if we're going into battle, at least we've got some pretty badass allies this time."

Percy laughs, though it's more subdued. "Yeah, and I'm sure those glitter bombs will strike fear into the hearts of the Titans."

"Oh, I've got to hear about this!" Jason laughs, rolling his eyes affectionately. "But I agree, it's all about the element of surprise."

"Or blinding them with sheer fabulousness," Percy adds, unable to resist.

Nico lets out a quiet snort, setting down his menu. "As long as we don't end up covered in glitter by the end of the night, I'll call it a win."

The waiter arrives, breaking up the conversation with a cheerful smile as he takes their orders. When he leaves, the atmosphere at the table feels a little lighter, the previous tension melted away by the familiar rhythm of their banter.

As they dig into their meals—pasta for Jason, a weird blue-cheese loaded pizza for Percy, and some mysterious Italian dish Nico refuses to explain—there's a sense of contentment that lingers. For just a few hours, they allow themselves to forget the looming war, the weight of their responsibilities. It's just them, sharing food, jokes, and the comfort of knowing that, whatever happens next, they've got each other's backs.

And when Jason steals a piece of Nico's garlic bread, followed by Percy trying (and failing) to do the same, Nico just rolls his eyes but lets it slide. Because at the end of the day, it's these moments—the small, absurd ones—that remind them what they're fighting for.

Percy leaned back in his seat, twirling his fork idly in his pasta as he listened to Nico recount the day's events. "So Mellie decided to just... waltz in?" Percy grinned, eyes twinkling with amusement. "I swear, she has the best timing."

Nico sighed dramatically, though his lips curved into a small smile. "If by 'best timing' you mean showing up right when we are half naked and covered in cum, then yeah, perfect timing."

Jason laughed, shaking his head. "That's gotta be, what, the third time now? I'm starting to think she has a sixth sense for when you two—" He paused, gesturing vaguely, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Percy nearly choked on his drink, coughing to cover up his laughter. "Don't finish that sentence, Grace."

Jason held up his hands in mock surrender, his blue eyes dancing with mirth. "Fine, fine, I won't. But let's be real—she's got talent."

Nico groaned, rolling his eyes. "Talent for making things awkward."

"Yeah, but it's part of her charm," Percy quipped, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Besides, it keeps us on our toes. Makes life interesting."

Nico glanced at him, his dark eyes softening as he nudged Percy's foot under the table. "Life's interesting enough without the constant interruptions."

"True," Jason added, taking a bite of his pizza, which he'd absolutely demolished. "But then again, we're demigods. 'Interesting' is basically our normal."

Percy snorted. "You're not wrong. If things were ever calm for too long, I'd probably start checking for monsters hiding behind bushes."

Jason chuckled, leaning back in his seat as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Honestly? Same. The moment things go quiet, I get suspicious."

Nico just smirked at that, shaking his head. "You guys are ridiculous."

They all dissolved into laughter again, the kind that leaves your chest feeling light and your worries miles away. It was in moments like these that Percy realized how rare—and precious—this sense of normalcy was. Sure, they were a trio of demigods who'd faced more life-threatening situations than any normal person should, but they were also just... friends. People who had found their way to each other through chaos and somehow made it work.

By the time dessert arrived—plates piled high with tiramisu and cannoli—they were leaning comfortably against the booth, basking in the warmth of the evening.

Jason took a bite of his cannoli and sighed dramatically. "If I ever die in battle, someone better bring me back just so I can have one last cannoli."

Nico chuckled, eyeing Jason's plate. "I'm sure you'll survive long enough to have plenty more."

Percy grinned, nudging Jason with his elbow. "And if not, we'll just ask Hades to keep a few on hand for you in the Underworld."

"You guys are terrible." Jason laughed, shaking his head. But there was an underlying affection in his words, and as they all dug into their desserts.

Once dinner was over, they walked through the dimly lit streets, the sounds of the city fading into the background as they strolled side by side. And as they made their way back to their lives—full of prophecies, monsters, and impending battles—there was a quiet understanding between them.

No matter what came next, they had each other. And that, was more than enough.