Hi. *Waves*

Important thing to note... This will be yaoi (boy-boy). Don't like? You do not have to read.

Disclaimer- I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus series. (One can dream though) All rights go to the proper parties.

ΩΩΩ

Nico could not recall the last time he had been this happy and Percy knew that he never had been. However, just because Aphrodite was secretly throwing a party over her newest couple, that didn't mean that Nico did not have to take care of his godly duties. All too soon, the young god of the underworld had to say a reluctant good-bye to his boyfriend.

The son of Hades tried to get back to Percy as quickly as he could, but it seemed his father was conspiring against him. Every time Nico was almost through, Hades had another task waiting. Some of it was ridiculous, yet the young god knew better than to complain. Hades liked to gift those who complained with a few decades working on the easy death line. Nico had done that mind-numbing task once and once was more than enough.

However, when the god of the dead assigned Nico to trim the leaves on every pomegranate tree, the young god knew something was wrong. He resolved to ask his father what was going on over dinner.

ΩΩΩ

When Nico walked into the dining room, he felt his feet freeze to the floor. There was nothing new with Thanatos dining with Hades and Persephone but when Demeter was present too, it set off Nico's internal alarm.

"Dad, what's happened?"

Hades didn't even look up from his wine glass, "What do you mean?"

The son of the underworld had to resist rolling his eyes. "Something's wrong."

The god of the underworld gave his son a pointed look, "The only thing I see wrong is that you haven't taken your seat."

He sighed and reluctantly took his seat next to his father before raising one eyebrow. "Tell me what's going on."

"Why do you assume something is happening?"

Nico knew better than to say anything about the idiotic tasks that he had been assigned. Hades would just tell him that they needed to be done so he tried another tactic. "Why is Demeter here? She never comes to the underworld."

The goddess of agriculture opened her mouth but Hades answered for her. "She came to visit Persephone."

"I was under the impression that you didn't care for the underworld Lady Demeter."

The elder goddess frowned. Before she could say anything though, she was once again cut off by her brother. "Don't be an idiot. She doesn't mind coming to the underworld once in a while."

Anyone looking at the goddess of agriculture could tell that was a lie.

"I don't think Demeter agrees with you father."

"I don't really care what you think right now. Demeter's movements are none of your concern." The son of the underworld opened his mouth but Hades spoke right over him. "This conversation is over Nico."

Nico glared at his father. Hades returned the glower. Both gods refused to back down. The shadows in the corners began to stir, feeling the pull of the two most powerful gods in the underworld. The rock walls of the palace shook slightly as the gods unconsciously unleashed their powers.

When the ceiling cracked, Persephone jumped to her feet.

"That's enough, both of you." Both gods reluctantly broke the gaze and looked at the queen of the underworld. They knew better then to antagonize the goddess when she was angry. "This fight is ridiculous." She looked directly into her husband's eyes, "He has the right to know. If you don't tell him, I will."

Hades looked like he wanted to argue with her but she sharpened her glare and the god of the underworld backed down. Nico would have found it amusing if he wasn't so focused on their conversation.

"What do I have the right to know about?"

The god of the underworld frowned at his son. "There has been a... incident."

Nico felt himself pale, his mind instantly reaching out to find Percy's soul. He breathed an imperceptible sigh of relief when he felt that Percy was still alive; exhausted, but alive. Nico was curious about that but as long as the son of Poseidon was okay, he could wait to ask him until he saw him next.

"What kind of incident? And what does it possibly have to do with Demeter coming to the underworld? I don't think I've seen her here since you shut the underworld during the second Titan war."

The silence that answered his question spoke volumes.

Nico's heart started to beat faster. The exhausted feeling Percy had suddenly made a lot more sense. "The gods are at war again?"

Hades nodded grimly. "We are indeed."

Nico took a deep breath and forced himself to remain seated. "You weren't going to tell me this? Who are we fighting?"

"I didn't see a need to tell you and we aren't fighting anyone."

The son of the Hades couldn't believe what he was hearing. He jumped to his feet, glaring at the king of the underworld. "What do you mean we aren't fighting? If the gods are going to war, how can we just sit by?"

The eldest son of Rhea stood and glared down at his son. "This is not our battle. There is nothing we can do. This war must be won or lost without us."

"How can you say that?"

Whatever Hades was going to say was drowned out by his sister's melodic voice,

"Twin archers depart from Olympian Halls,

A parent possessed within evil's thralls.

Four demigods march, but not all shall return,

Great sacrifice required, lest the world burn.

The six stand alone, with no foreign blade,

Or all will be lost and Olympus shall fade..."

The prophecy was met with silence.

Nico didn't know how to respond. He opened his mouth several times before he finally found his voice. "In other words, if we try to help the quest, we will doom it to fail?"

Hades nodded, "Yes. That's why I didn't tell you. Knowing something is happening and being unable to do anything about it is twice as bad as not knowing."

The son of the underworld collapsed into his seat and dropped his head into his hands. "Please tell me that Percy is not part of that quest."

The four older gods gazed at each other sadly. All of Olympus knew about Nico's long standing infatuation with Percy Jackson.

Thanatos cleared his throat. "I'm sorry Nico. He was the best suited to the task."

The son of Hades glared at the god of Death. "He has already saved the world more times than I even care to count. Hasn't he reached his quota?"

Hades gave his son a sad look. "I know that you care for the boy but I think you're over reacting. This is only his second life. If he dies, he will get another chance."

Persephone smacked Hades in the back of the head before Nico had a chance to respond to his father's well meaning but idiotic statement. "What he means to say Nico is that, Percy can take care of himself. He's the hero of Olympus; you don't need to worry about him."

"You don't understand... He chose me. I'm supposed to protect him."

Thanatos put down his goblet and looked closer at the boy he had come to see as a little brother, "What do you mean?"

Nico sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. They were intending to wait to tell their families, but the son of Hades couldn't stay quiet any longer. "Percy chose me. He... we're dating."

The goddess of springtime gasped before she jumped up and ran over to wrap her adoptive son in a hug. She had been less than please when Nico had been given immortality but over the last two centuries, she had grown to care for her husband's son as though he were her own. "Oh Nico, we're so happy for you."

Nico was still fairly uncomfortable with human contact unless he was the one who initiated it. However, he permitted Persephone's embrace. Once the goddess had let go of him, Nico was able to see his father's face.

The king of the underworld was wearing an uncertain expression. The son of Hades braced himself for the conversation he was certain would follow.

"Are you certain that he returns your feelings?"

Nico had to force himself not to blush like a sixteen year old as he remembered the taste of Percy's lips. "Very certain, yes."

The god of the underworld frowned, "And you are positive that he is the one you want? He is a demigod. They don't live forever."

The son of Hades winced at the reminder of human expiration. He knew that losing Percy after finally having him would be infinitely more painful than him dying the first time. Yet even knowing that there would be pain in the future, Nico would never give up even a second of the time that he could call Percy his own. "I am sure. He is the one I want, the one I've wanted forever. I will gladly call him mine, for as long as I am able."

Hades sighed and shook his head. Nico waited for the inevitable complaining about falling for the son of Poseidon but when the king of the underworld spoke, it wasn't what he was expecting, "Very well. Now that you know what we face; you can understand why I've shut the underworld off from the rest of the world. If Olympus falls, the underworld might endure. You are not to leave my realm until I give you permission. Most important of all, you may not seek out Percy."

Nico bristled at the last sentence. "How can I leave him to fight alone?"

"If you value his life, you will." Nico glared at the perceived threat but Hades just rolled his eyes. "If the doom of Olympus isn't enough to keep you from interfering, try to remember the fact that Zeus told you if you help the boy again, he will vaporize him."

The son of the underworld winced. He knew that his father was right but that didn't make it any easier. The young god reluctantly sighed, "Very well. I swear on the River Styx that I will not interfere with the quest."

ΩΩΩ

The next week was the longest week in Nico's life, mortal or immortal.

With the underworld cut off from the rest of the world, Nico had almost no idea what was happening. He had tried to call Percy to make sure that he was alright, but Iris messages weren't getting through. He wasn't certain as to whether it was due to the underworld being cut off, or if Iris had been ordered to keep all messages away from the members of the quest.

He had never been so worried about Percy. In every other war the hero had fought, the son of Hades had been right there to help him. Knowing that Percy was in danger and that he couldn't interfere, it was driving him mad.

The son of Hades couldn't even begin to put into words how relieved he was when they got a message from Olympus telling them that the members of the quest had been victorious. Both the son of the underworld and his father immediately flashed to Olympus.

ΩΩΩ

The instant Nico walked into the throne room and saw Percy standing there, bloody and bruised but whole, he felt like he could breath properly again. He hadn't even realized that he had frozen in the doorway until Hades walked past him to take his seat.

The son of Poseidon saw the god of the underworld taking his place and turned around, eyes searching. By the way that his face lit up, Nico could tell that he had been looking for him. Before the brown eyed boy could do more than smile, the son of the sea god was running towards him.

Percy didn't even break stride as he jumped into Nico's arms. The son of Hades wasn't expecting it but he caught his balance. His arms instinctively wrapped around Percy's waist, pulling the demigod closer into his chest. The son of Poseidon put his arms around his boyfriend's neck and pulled his down for a kiss.

The son of Hades released a blissful sigh at the feeling of Percy's lips against his own. It had only been a few weeks, yet it felt like an eternity since Nico had last kissed him.

All too soon, a polite cough forced them to break apart. The son of Hades looked up into the eyes of a shocked god of the sea.

Poseidon's eyes kept flitting between his favorite son and the man who still had his arms around him.

The green eyed boy blushed brightly and bit his lip. He held his father's gaze as he hesitantly laid his head on Nico's shoulder. In response, the son of Hades tightened his grip on the demigod.

The god of the sea looked bewildered at his son's reaction. He glanced between the two a few more times before he reluctantly sighed and gave his son a slight nod. He turned his gaze towards the young god of the underworld. Hades himself would have been proud of the glare that Poseidon fixed on Nico. It promised a world of pain if he was ever foolish enough to hurt his son.

With the unsaid message delivered, the god of the sea turn and walked away too take his throne.

"Well that was embarrassing."

Nico smiled, "I think it went rather well actually."

The son of Poseidon gave him an incredulous stare, "My dad just saw us kissing!"

The son of the underworld chuckled and placed a soft kiss on Percy's forehead. "Exactly, and he didn't try to vaporize either of us. That's about as good as it could have gone."

The young god looked around to see that most of the council was already in their seats. As much as he didn't want to let go of Percy ever again, he knew he had too.

The son of Hades gently brushed his fingers against Percy cheek. "We should take our places Piccolo." The son of Poseidon nodded but, the way he tighten his arms around Nico told the god that he didn't want to let go anymore that he did. The son of Hades smiled and stole a quick kiss before he reluctantly stepped away from his boyfriend.

Before he could be tempted to take the son of Poseidon into his arms again, he walked away and took his seat next to his father. He was glad he did because a few seconds later, Zeus appeared to call the assembly to order.

ΩΩΩ

Nico tried to focus on the meeting but it was mostly just Zeus praising the gods. It was all the son of Hades could do to keep from rolling his eyes. Only two of the gods had anything to do with the victory for Olympus.

The son of Hades didn't really focus on what the king of the gods was saying until he heard him call for Percy.

The son of the sea god took a deep breath before he walked to the center of the throne room. Nico had a strong sense of déjà vie when the son of Poseidon bowed to Zeus and then knelt at Poseidon's feet.

The god of the sea smiled at his favorite son, "Rise, my son." Percy stood up and looked up at his father. "You have once again done Olympus a great service."

The king of the gods nodded. "The council agrees with your father. A hero deserves to be rewarded, the only question left to answer is what exactly that reward should be, perhaps a new sword?"

Before the son of Poseidon could say anything, he was interrupted by someone loudly clearing their throat. Nico glanced up in surprise when he realized that it had been his father.

Zeus sighed, "Is there something you wish to say Hades?"

The god of the underworld nodded, "Indeed there is."

The young god glanced around the throne room. His confusion was reflected back from every face he saw. The only one who didn't look confused was Aphrodite. She was smiling at Hades as though he was her new favorite person.

"Well, what is it?"

"The son of Poseidon has done more for us than any other demigod in history. I believe that he is deserving of a different gift, one that we have not offered in the last two hundred years."

Nico's eyes widened in surprise as he realized what his father was talking about. Murmuring broke out throughout the throne room.

The king of the gods frowned, "You know exactly why we do not offer him this gift."

The god of the underworld nodded. "I do, but I believe it is a mistake. We all know that he is more than deserving of it."

Zeus rolled his eyes, "Be that as it may, why should we offer what has already been rejected?"

Aphrodite answered before the Hades could, "Circumstances have changed."

The god of the skies raised one eyebrow in surprise before looking towards Nico for a moment, "Perhaps." Zeus stroked his beard as he examined the fidgeting demigod in front of him. The son of Poseidon was the only person present who still looked confused. "Very well... are there any here who would deny that he is worthy?"

Nico found himself holding his breath. No one said a word, a few were even smiling.

The king of the gods nodded, "So be it. Percy, son of Poseidon, Hero of Olympus, the council agrees. We offer you the greatest gift of all. If you wish it; you shall be made a god and all that entails. You will become immortal and be your father's lieutenant for all eternity."

The son of Poseidon looked astonished. "I would become a god?"

The god of the seas smiled at his son. "Yes, with the consensus of the entire council, we can make you immortal."

The young hero looked down and bit his lip. For one moment, Nico was certain the he would refuse. Then Percy looked up with a bright smile. "I would be honored to become a god."

The king of the gods looked shocked at Percy's acceptance but he quickly covered his reaction, "Very well." Zeus signaled for Percy to kneel. The son of Poseidon sunk to one knee and Zeus straightened to his full height. "By the power of this council, from this day forwards, you shall be a god. Arise Percy; son of Poseidon, god of the tides and lieutenant of the sea god."

The newest god stood. He smiled to his father before he turned to glance at Nico. The young god of the underworld could immediately see the difference. The son of Poseidon looked almost exactly as he used to but his eyes were just a little bit brighter, the green just a little more entrancing. They almost looked like they were moving, like the real ocean.

Nico was vaguely aware of Zeus dismissing the council and the other gods shrinking down to mortal size to begin the party but he only had eyes for one immortal. The son of Hades walked over to where Percy stood.

The green eyed boy turned around just in time to be embraced by his boyfriend. Percy smiled before he too wrapped his arms around Nico's shoulders. There was so much that Nico wanted to say, but he decided that it could wait.

After all, they now had all of eternity...

ΩΩΩ

Percy and Nico hardly let go of each other all night. The two youngest gods walked all around Olympus together, hand in hand, not saying anything of consequence. Both were content to spend the night in peaceful joy.

The sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon when Poseidon appeared and asked to speak to his son. Nico frowned but released his hold on the green eyed boy's hand. Percy stole one more, quick kiss before he followed his father.

The son of Hades wandered back to the party that was still in full swing. He listened to the muses play for a while before the brown eyed boy grabbed a glass of ambrosia and wandered out to one of the balconies. He was surprised to see his father standing at the rail, looking out into the world below. The young god silently made his way over and leaned on the railing beside him. They were quiet for a few minutes before Nico broke the stillness.

"Thank you."

The god of the underworld glanced at his son before looking away, "What for?"

"For speaking up. If it wasn't for you... just, thank you." Hades nodded in acknowledgement. The son of the underworld debated internally for a moment before he decided to ask. "Why?"

The eldest son of Rhea was silent for a moment before he spoke, "For you." Before Nico could ask for clarification, Hades continued. "I know how you feel about him. I decided that if I was to have a son of Poseidon for a son in law, then at least I could make sure that he was an immortal."

The young god of the underworld was stunned. He didn't know what to say. His father had helped his least favorite son of the sea god gain immortality just to help his son avoid heartbreak.

Before the brown eyed boy could find the words he needed, Hades stood up straight. "If you will excuse me, I need to get back to the underworld. Persephone is waiting." The young god stepped back and gave his father a small bow, "Oh and Nico?" The god of the underworld gave his son a small smile. "Don't make me regret helping him."

Without waiting for his response, the god of the underworld flashed out. Nico couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face. His smile only grew when his boyfriend found him still outside a few minutes later.

ΩΩΩ

The sons of Poseidon and Hades looked out over the city of New York. Nico had his arms around Percy's waist and his chin on the new gods shoulder while Percy leaned back into his embrace.

The noise from the party drifted out to them and Nico heard Aphrodite laugh. While Percy drew abstract patterns on Nico's wrist, the child of the underworld let his mind wander.

As much as he was loathed to admit it, he owed Eros big time. The god of love might have annoyed him on many occasions but once in a while, Nico could remember as to why they were friends. If it wasn't for Cupid and Aphrodite's gift, he might have never found Percy. Even if he had, he might not have been able to make the beautiful son of Poseidon his.

The son of the underworld turned his head slightly to nuzzle into Percy's hair. He placed a few kisses on the younger boy's neck before the new god turned his head. Nico chuckled as he leaned in pressed a soft kiss to the boys lips. The brown eyed boy slowly ran his tongue along Percy's bottom lip. The god of the tides smiled as he happily opened his mouth for the older god to explore. No matter how many times he kissed the son of Poseidon, he could never get enough of the taste of Percy's lips.

Nico reluctantly pulled away when the need to breathe became painful. He pressed one more chaste kiss against the green eyed boy's lips before he pulled away. He looked deep into Percy's eyes and smiled.

"I love you Piccolo."

The son of Poseidon blushed and leaned up give him a quick kiss. He followed it up by gently nipping at the older god's lip before he pulled back with a smile that put the sun to shame. "I love you to Nico."

The son of Hades pulled the younger boy into a hug. He rested his cheek against Percy's hair and smiled blissfully.

Of all the things that Nico had never expected in his younger years, Percy choosing rebirth had been one of them. Even more surprising to the brown eyed boy was that Percy would choose not only immortality, but him as well. He had written Percy off as an unrequited love more years ago than he cared to admit. Having the beautiful man in his arms at the start of forever just went to show...

It's never too late for a second chance at love.

What do you think? Personally I'm a sucker for happy endings. :-)

So before anyone asks, I was fully intending to write about Percy's quest. In fact, I had already started it. I decided not to put it in this story when I was 3000 words into his story and the quest had not even been issued yet. It is going to be a much longer story then I anticipated. However, I still like the idea of it. So I decided that I am going to write it as a separate story. :-) I could have put it as a part of Never Two Late but I decided against it for two reasons. One, it would have made this story like 10 times as long as it was meant to be and two, the quest isn't what I wanted this story to be about. This story is about Nico and his second chance at true love.