"Thanks again for the help, Nico."

"Not a problem, Perce." The son of Hades paused, taking a sip of his sweet tea. "I mean, what's the point of being able to shadow travel if you don't use it to move from one apartment to another?"

Percy smiled, pulling a cold cup of coffee away from his lips, ignoring the fact he could only half taste it. After so many years, he had gotten used to how his tastebuds would take a few days to work again after drinking his medicine. He was drinking literal fire, after all, healing properties or not.

Maybe next time, he should ask for the fine print….

He and Nico were currently kicking their feet back in a fast food joint after a morning of work. By work, it was really Percy telling Nico what furniture from his old Metropolis apartment he wanted in his new one, in Jump City. At the same time,

Percy had thrown the few knick-knacks he couldn't get rid of in boxes and bags to be taken. Some of those would stay in their box a little while longer. He wasn't quite sure if he was really ready to unpack all of it just yet.

In the end, the two had made quick work of moving from one coast to the other and skipped the cost of a moving van. Perks of being a demigod.

"Only cost me some cheap fast food and some coffee. I think that's a win." Percy set his cup down, looking down at his plate and seeing no fries left. Percy looked up to Nico, who was distracted watching someone walk by on the street.

"So, why are you now here in Jump City?" Nico asked, turning to face his friend. "Last time we talked, you were all set up in Metropolis. Hey, those are my fries!"

Percy snapped his hand back with fries clutched victoriously in his fingers as he ignored the slight sting Nico gifted him.

"New job, old ways." Percy grinned, shoveling the stolen salty goods into his mouth.

"Oh? Are you helping the Romans with something?" Nico asked, the sleeve of his leather jacket protectively encircling his food as he hunched forward.

"Nah, way more complicated, I think," Percy chuckled to himself as he leaned back in his seat. "Try kid superheroes. Camp counselor round two."

Nico frowned, quirking his head to the side in confusion.

Percy gestured his thumb out the window and down the main street.

Nico's eyes followed, traveling up to the horizon and where a giant T-shaped building stood in the bay. He whipped back to Percy.

"The Teen Titans?"

Percy nodded, sipping his coffee, "I think they just call themselves Titans now."

"How did you land that gig? Better question: why did you even take it?"

Percy half shrugged, "Superman came poking around the other day while I was relaxing. You know how it is with the hero business. Sometimes, it just appears on your doorstep, and that's life."

Nico scoffed, "Yeah. Right when you think you can throw your feet up and kick back, problem number eight drops in your lap…." The man shook his head, settling his gaze back on Percy, "But you've been sober from that life for a while now? I mean, these last few years, you've been doing your own thing, living life. Why come back to all this?" He gestured towards the tower in the distance.

Percy shrugged. His thumb, with a mind of its own, began to tap the table.

In truth, Percy had never told anyone about what deal he had made down in Tartarus. That over his head, since then, hung a blank cheque a goddess could cash at any time. Now, it was being processed, and to make sure it didn't bounce, he agreed to an offer he probably should not have taken.

Since then, his friends just never really bothered to ask. They all had been too happy to see him crawling out of hell alive to really care about the details, and nobody had really ever thought twice. Hazel even had chalked it up to 'just Percy things' once, and that seemed to stick with everyone. It didn't help that Grover was eager to reinforce the mystique of 'just Percy things' either.

"Seemed like the next step in life," Percy tried, quickly taking a drink to excuse why he wasn't following up on the statement, hoping Nico would accept the simplicity of the notion.

Yet, Nico just stared with a frown on his face. His eyes flickered to Percy's fidgeting thumb, and the frown grew deeper. Percy winced, seeing his fidgeting betray him. Nico had known him long enough and well enough to see through Percy.

"Plus, you know," Percy added, moving his hands under the table, "it's the Justice League."

Nico only raised a single eyebrow, lips still downturned.

"Right," Nico scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "The Justice League. Correct me when I'm wrong, but two of them you openly despise. Many of them are just as capable, if not way more so, than you and the others you could care less about," Nico sighed. "It just doesn't make sense, man. Why'd you accept their offer? Why'd you come to Jump City to train the kid Titans? You said it yourself when we were teens ourselves. You've served your time. You've made your legacy. What more do you need to do, Percy? Why are you really doing this?"

"You know, I think it's kind of ironic how I, the bane of Titans or whatever nonsense people said, am now responsible for taking care of some people calling themselves Titans. It is kind of funny."

"Don't try to change the subject on me, Percy."

"How's Will?"

"Perseus Jackson…."

"What are you, my mother?" Percy rolled his eyes.

"You are thirty-five acting fifteen."

"Thank the gods for some mercies." Percy faked wiping sweat from his brow. "Just the other day, someone called me old. Good to know I'm still a child at heart."

"A manchild, maybe."

Percy grinned, pointing at his friend, "You know, they said something similar."

"Great minds think alike," Nico smirked before it slowly slipped away like a droplet of water on a window. "You've derailed the topic once again. After this long that we've known each other and all that has happened, why can't I get a straight answer? It's not like I'm going to drag you down to my father and have him lock you up again."

Percy looked away, "It's not that simple, man. I wish it were, but even I don't have the full picture."

Nico gave what sounded like a mix between a scoff and laugh at that, "When have we ever, Perce? When have we ever?" he trailed off, following Percy's gaze beyond the window. Both men looked out at the distant Tower, standing tall against the world just like Thalia's tree did near camp. "Just let me in, Perce. Please."

Percy took a deep breath, his eyes falling to his fidgeting hands in his lap. "Let's just say the world is giving me some heavy-handed clues telling me to go down this path. So I am. For better or worse."

"How heavy-handed? Zeus appear in your bedroom or something?"

Percy shook his head, refusing to look Nico in the eye. "I don't think I should tell you."

"What? Why?" Nico hissed, leaning forward, his voice lowering. "Look, if this is some woe-is-me mid-life crisis thing, and you don't want to be judged about it, then say so. I'll let it slide. However, if this is something that is going to matter to the world or even our side of the world, I have a right to know as someone who has fought for it."

Percy sighed, collapsing onto the table as his hands came up to cradle his head. He stared at his distorted reflection on the glossy wooden table. A water ring from a previous glass cut through his mirrored self's eyes.

The son of Poseidon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew his friend was right. Yet, he didn't know the extent of any of it. How much did Nico need to know? How much could he afford to tell him?

"Stays between you and me?"

"And Will."

Percy sighed and opened his eyes, "Right, you don't keep secrets with him. Stays between me, you, and Will, then?"

"Of course."

"I-I made a deal with a goddess," Percy mumbled, afraid to let the world hear him. "She's come to collect."

"Are you in danger?" Nico instantly responded.

"No," Percy shook his head in his hands, still refusing to break eye contact with himself. "No, I don't think so. If I read the room right, she wants me to help the Justice League with their kid hero thing. Don't ask me why, I don't know."

"Who was it?"

Percy winced, finally looking up, "You're better off not knowing."

Nico gave him a flat stare, "Don't give me that crap now. Who was it?"

"Look, I'd love to tell you, but I'm not going to say her name or her titles." Percy threw his hands up in surrender. "I don't want to summon her here by accident. I did it once before, and she wasn't pleased, to say the least. I mean, you remember what happened to my last apartment?"

"Yeah, it blew up." Nico frowned, cogs turning in his brain. "Wait, I thought you said that was a freak accident from one of those supervillains?"

"Oops?" Percy winced.

"Percy, what have you gotten yourself into?" his cousin facepalmed.

The son of Poseidon shrugged, "Well, I mean, if I take her words seriously, the universe is going to be on my shoulders, and if that is anything like the sky, I think I need to skip out on the fast food next time and get back in the gym."

Nico groaned, shifting to press his palms into his temple. "You are such-such… I don't even know what you are, but it is stupid whatever it is. I'd rather you break your pasta in half than do whatever you've done. You are so stupid," Nico growled between clenched teeth.

"Wow, you really are upset."

"Percy–" Nico stopped himself, taking a moment to center himself. "It's one thing saying you want to help the world again, train some kids to be capable, and show them guidance that you think they deserve. I know how much Chiron means to you. However," the son of Hades paused for effect, "it is a completely different thing to say a goddess who won't even let you say her name is expecting you to shoulder the universe or whatever that means."

"I mean, maybe it's like a metaphor?" Percy winced. "Maybe she just wants the bane of Titans to teach the next generation to be a bane in their own way, too?"

"You better pray it is." Nico pushed his seat back from the table. "Gods, you are raising my blood pressure. Will is not going to be happy."

Percy snorted, "Is there a god of metaphors? Would Will know about that as Apollo's kid?"

"I don't know, but Annabeth wo— Oh, don't you be like that Percy." Nico quickly reached across and smacked Percy on the shoulder. "I said her name. She isn't dead, nor is she the devil who is going to appear and take your soul. She's our friend. I get it. You guys went through one of the worst things that could've happened, but it doesn't mean you have the right to cower."

"I'm not afraid of her," Percy mumbled.

"Just avoiding her calls."

Percy rolled his head, groaning, "Gods, she called you too?"

"Yes, because some of us in this world have grown up and learned how to communicate, especially our feelings, Percy. Maybe you should learn about it."

"Bite me."

"You know I am right. But that is beside the point. Answer her the next time she calls you." Nico pointed at him as if he was disciplining a child. "If not for her, then for yourself. I know you need it."

"Right, and I also need a purple platypus bear that breathes fire and has wings."

Nico threw his hands up, "What does that even mean?"

"Nothing," Percy rolled his eyes. "Let's just get back to our meals. I know how shadow traveling works up your appetite."

"But I'm not—" Nico paused as he watched Percy turn to stare out the window, the son of Poseidon's gaze traveling to the distant tower and away from the conversation. "Yeah. Sure. Okay," Nico relented, seeing Percy check out.

#

The son of Hades reached for his burger and took a bite. It didn't taste the same as it had minutes before.

Nico knew Percy better than most people these days did. Even competing against those in the Prophesized Seven, Nico knew he was the closest to Percy. Yet, as he watched his friend stare out the window, he could only wonder how much he really knew the man.

Since Percy and Annabeth had gone their separate ways, Percy had changed. The teen he used to look up to who had no qualms about speaking his mind, now, wore a mask to hide the man below.

Nico couldn't fault Percy for it either. Trauma changes people, even those who have seen the deepest pits of hell. Having all of your love come to life and dissipate between your fingers like sand on the shore of the Styx…. Nico couldn't blame Percy. He could only try and help him.

The son of Hades reached for sweet tea. It was gross compared to the usual stuff Will would buy, but it was fast food, and quality wasn't what you were sold.

Lowering the cup back to the table, Nico resumed his study of Percy. It had been a few months, after all, since he had last seen the man. His black hair was somewhat tamer than normal as it was swept back. More grey littered his beard than the last time he saw him. Honestly, Percy had begun to look a lot like his dad in that regard.

However, his mortality still crept through. The bags under his eyes were the most glaring of notes. They challenged Nico's own, and that was no small feat. Something had been keeping his best friend up all night, and Nico had a wager that it was more than just dreams and nightmares.

Someone was placing the weight of the universe on Percy's shoulders. Metaphor or not, that wasn't a simple notion.

But Nico would be there. He'd help his friend to the ends of the universe if he needed him. Percy deserved that after everything he had been through and done. Even the things nobody else knew about, sans perhaps Annabeth.

After all, Percy had been pretty tightlipped about what he had to endure when he was alone in Tartarus after he got Annabeth out through the Doors of Death. Nico struggled to imagine what that had been like… to physically climb out of hell all alone. There were things that Nico saw that he knew he would never be able to forget, but he at least had someone to help him through those rough nights and into brighter days.

But Percy….

He'd been living life on his own for years now since the accident.

Nico frowned, watching his friend stare down the street to where a family of three were walking. The child held both of the parent's hands as they stepped into a pizza joint.

Some wounds went beyond the skin and took more than just time to heal. Will had been very vocal about that, the times Nico had asked about what they could do for the son of Poseidon.

Nico cleared his throat, "How are you doing on Phlegethon water? I had to restock Annabeth's the other week, but she doesn't need as much as you do."

Percy turned back his way, his face neutral but a frown in his eyes.

"My medicine?" Nico watched Percy gather his thoughts. "I'll, uh, need some as soon as you can get it. Ran out the other day, on Monday."

"Okay. I can probably pop by the Underworld tomorrow, then."

"Thanks," Percy mumbled, turning back to the window. His eyes rapidly went wide.

Percy snapped up! His chair flew back as the demigod's hands extended outwards.

Nico reacted to his friends, quickly making his body intangible like the shadows out of instinct.

Glass flew through his smoky figure and into the restaurant behind him. A red car had smashed through the window they were sitting next to. Yet it went no further than the son of Poseidon.

Percy lowered the car he had caught. The metal roof clung to where it had bent around his grip.

"What in the three furies…." Nico muttered, eyes turning to his surroundings.

Around them, people screamed as their lunch was ruined. They rushed either deeper into the establishment or out onto the street.

But not Percy, Nico noted. Ever the hero, he went to action.

Nico watched as the demigod tore the door from the ruined vehicle. The metal was like paper under his supernatural strength. Yet, he carefully helped the old man inside the car out.

"It's alright, sir," Percy said to the man, helping him sit down in a chair that a tendril of water pulled close.

In the distance, a roar echoed off the towering walls of skyscrapers and apartments as a creature of rock and stone swatted at the air where a glowing green streak circled its head. At its monstrous stone feet, Nico saw children of all people rally to attack the walking construction project gone rogue.

"Nico," Percy turned to him. "Shadow over my face?"

Nico frowned before he realized what Percy intended to do, and he quickly helped. With a snap of his fingers, the world's darkness swirled over both their faces. While they could still see the world, the world could not look back at them.

"We'll have to wipe these cameras whenever we get a chance, too," Percy added, stepping through the ruined window and moving the empty and ruined car away from it.

Nico followed in his step, his black boots crunching on the broken glass.

"I can do that now."

"No. Damage control first. Clean up later."

"Right," Nico agreed, sparing one last glance at the car half lodged into the fast food joint. It was a good thing places like that had insurance.

"Ready?" Percy asked, a genuine smile growing on his face.

"It's been a while," Nico said, shrugging on a leather jacket. "Good thing we demigods are born ready."

AN: Join Discord link in bio! Follow, Favorite, Review!

(Revised Sept. 24th, 2024)

Hope all is well.

-Manke