Stunned silence followed his explanation. Jason and Piper stared at him with something akin to shock, Hazel and Thalia looked like they had just received a gift from the gods, and Frank and Annabeth seemed to be thinking about how this could even happen. Percy on the other hand was chewing away at a bag of chips, laying down and basking in the sun. Nico would think he was asleep if it wasn't for the scheduled movement of his hand to the chip bag.

"Second best Christmas gift ever," Leo chimed; he was another exception to the stunned silence.

"Second?" Percy asked lifting his head slightly.

"I got this kickass bike when I was four," shrugged the curly haired teen.

"There is no way this is scientifically or mythology possible," Annabeth seemed to have finally finished thinking over what Nico had said. Her grey eyes were alive with new knowledge, shining so bright that it was actually concerning, "the gods don't see you because they don't believe and they've remained oblivious for years. But Jack Frost is the Norse personification of winter so they would believe that he existed-"

"Jack is only three hundred years old. Old Man Winter- Jokul Frosti- faded centuries before that. So the place was open for a new winter spirit. And he was chosen," Nico cut in to explain.

"And the Man in the Moon?" Thalia ruffled her spiky hair a little bit, "I feel the moon, there isn't a man in there. My Lady would be able to sense it."

"I don't know anything about that man," Nico scowled slightly and put his jacket back on to keep out the chilly wind that was beginning to blow, "he's not exactly the kind of being to take time and explain things."

"So he's just like the gods," Piper shrugged as she snuggled into Jason for warmth.

"Exactly," Nico nearly smiled at that.

"I just still can't believe you're here," Hazel's voice portrayed her disbelieve and relief, "when those doors closed, we all thought you were gone for good."

"I was thinking the same," Nico shrugged and dug his hands into his pockets.

Silence followed yet again. Nico within the group of seven had never been much of a talker. Everyone knew that. He could still remember when Leo tried to make conversation on Argo II after Percy and Annabeth dropped. Nico had been tired, irritable and mentally drained. The conversation had not gone well. It hadn't helped that Jason was a little mad at the fact Nico was batting for both teams; Greek and Roman. The blonde would have a dummy spit if he found out about Anubis.

"Why did you do it?" The man in question asked, blue eyes clear as the sky above.

"Do what?" Nico questioned the Roman.

"Close the Doors? The whole trip you'd never spoke of doing it. Never even joined the conversations about would. Then suddenly you're just running off to do it," everyone else was nodding in agreement with what Jason had said.

Everyone's gazes focused solely on Nico's face and the son of Hades suddenly felt uncomfortable. He hadn't even told Percy this. If there was one thing he didn't like, it was pity.

"Because it needed to be done and you guys were just standing there arguing," Nico lied easily, "we would just stay there arguing for hours and then more forces could come."

"Can I call bullshit?" Frank spoke for the first time since Nico explained, "not to be rude but you don't seem like the kind of guy to do that. I mean…I can't say I know you well, but from what Hazel's told me you just don't seem like that kind of person."

"Self-sacrifice is more of Percy's forte," Thalia rolled her eyes as she said that.

"Sadly, its one of the only things I'm good at," Percy shrugged as he let Annabeth play with his slightly matted hair.

"So why did you do it? Honestly?" Piper questioned, "you can tell us. You trust us, right?"

Nico felt the immediate need to suddenly spill his guts about everything. He had to physically bite his tongue to stop himself from speaking. Glaring at Piper- who had the modesty to look abashed- he finally managed to control what he was going to say.

"Because you all had something going for you," He almost felt the need to hand his head in shame, but instead he stood his ground and tried to look as confident as possible.

"I don't understand," Percy was now paying full attention, sitting up to stare at Nico with his vivid green eyes.

Growling in slight frustration Nico began to form a good explanation, "Percy you have Annabeth and we all know you're going to live a full happy life with her. Frank has Hazel; and Hazel has another chance at life. Thalia and Jason are family and Piper is at his side every second. And I don't know about Leo but sure as Hades he's going to become something great. Me…." He shrugged helplessly, feeling vulnerable, "I knew that if I did it there would be less damage done. It was the only way that everyone could live fulfilling lives."

He cast his gaze downwards for a moment and in the split second Thalia had shot forward and slapped his cheek with fiery strong force. He cried out and grabbed his throbbing cheek for the second time that day. He pushed himself away from Thalia who seemed to be at the peak or her fury.

"Less damage done?" Thalia cried looking to the sky like it was some joke, "Do you know what you put us through?

"Of course I do!" Nico felt his own fury rise. Both Demigods had always been close to the edge of fury, especially around each other, tempers wore thin, "I was always there. I was there when you burned my shroud, when Hazel refused to eat for two days, when Percy didn't sleep for five days- hell I was even there when Leo refused to even go within a ten metre radius of my cabin. I saw what damage I did; but you know what? I still don't regret doing- I sure as Hades regret what happened after- but I don't regret doing it because now you can all live full lives."

"Thank you," Piper spoke up to break the tense silence.

Nico's blackened gaze flickered to her in surprise. His mouth opened to respond, but no words came out. Everyone seemed to be looking at Piper with the same look of shock.

"Someone had to say it," the daughter of Aphrodite shrugged a little, "he's back now, and he did it because he thought it was right, we can't be mad at him for that, right?"

"Like Hades we can't," Thalia fumed.

"Besides, you're happy, aren't you?" Piper asked Nico.

"I 'spose," he shrugged helplessly.

"And I'm supposed to the self-sacrificing one," Percy tried to crack a joke despite the fact his eyes seemed to have hollowed slightly.

"That's a bad joke," Leo commented, a little more sombre now.

"When has Percy ever made a good joke?" Annabeth seemed to be doing her best to lighten the mood.

Thalia sent Nico a look that screamed I'm not done with you, and as he sat down he internally cringed. It seemed someone up above must've been looking out for him though. A strong chilly breeze blew off the bay, making everyone apart from Nico shiver and rub their arms in an attempt to warm up.

"I hate the cold," Annabeth muttered as she moved closer to Percy for warmth.

"I take that as a personal insult,"

Nico rolled his eyes and gazed upwards automatically. Up above Jack floated, staff resting on his shoulders, jumper flapping slightly in the breeze.

"Spirit?" Jason questioned, picking up a slight change in the wind.

"We have a winner," Jack dropped down to the ground and occupied a space next to Nico, joining the group as if he belonged, "Jack Frost."

"What's up with the wind?" Jason questioned as he felt the change in the patterns.

"Of all things to ask, you ask about the wind," Jack made himself comfortable by grabbing a drink, ignoring Nico's impatient stare, "it's my friend. North Wind, meet these guys."

A great gust of chilly wind blew into everyone's face, making their eyes water and hair stick up in odd directions. Jack laughed a little bit and Nico scowled.

"Any reason you're here?" He questioned the Spirit of Winter.

"Oh, yeah, right," Jack said quickly, "I need help with gift ideas."

"Why do you need gifts?"

"It's Christmas," Jack deadpanned, "you give gifts on Christmas."

Nico opened his mouth to say something, but the words stuck in his throat. He had to get the Guardians gifts? What good would that do? What on earth do you give Santa Clause for Christmas?

"I thought you couldn't get any stupider," Thalia's anger seemed to have broiled down slightly.

"We're not exactly the Christmas-y type," Leo shot back, "I wonder if the big guys upstairs celebrate-"

"Leo, you're starting to ramble again," Piper said as she easily fixed her hair.

Nico was surprised by how natural everyone seemed now. Of course they all sent looks at Jack as if they expected him to be an old man, but apart from that, they acted as if Jack was just another member of the group. For that, Nico was grateful.

"I don't know, can't this wait?" Nico rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"I suppose…." Jack mussed as the wind tussled his hair whistling slightly, "England has been needing a little more snow….I'll meet you by my lake midday tomorrow."

"Yeah, sure," Nico said in an attempt to make Jack leave.

"One more thing," Jack stood and slipped the crook of his staff under Percy's arm, easily dragging the teenager to his feet, "need to ask you something."

While Percy and Jack went out of hearing range, everyone finally decided to talk.

"I thought he'd have a beard," Leo mused, "like a Dumbledore beard."

"The winds sure do like him," Jason commented as well.

"He looks albino," Annabeth shrugged as she thought.

"He stole one of our drinks," Frank watched as Jack shot back into the air, disappearing into the blue above.

"He didn't steal it," Nico fiddled with his own soda, "he just took it."

"What did he want?" Annabeth questioned as Percy came and sat back down.

"Wanted to warn me about the Sea of Monsters," Percy shrugged helplessly, "apparently its been a bit more active then usual."

"How does he know about the Sea of Monsters?" Frank questioned.

"He flies around the world about three times a day if he feels like it," Nico commented, "there's no place he hasn't been. Apparently he even tried the Sahara."

"I'm guessing it didn't end well," Annabeth smiled a little.

"It didn't," Nico concluded.

They sat, talked and drank until long after the sun had set. The street Christmas lights came on and cast a warm golden, green and red glow on the group. Nico quieted down a little bit and let everyone do the talking. He watched everyone though. Annabeth was stretched out, head on Percy's lap, letting him play with her hair. Frank leant into Hazel but still kept a hand close to Nico, as if waiting for him to reach out and touch it. Leo was keeping up conversation with Percy having an argument over Pegasus Vs. Flying contraptions. Thalia talked to Annabeth about her family, seeing as her half-brothers would be heading into High school soon. Jason and Piper became secluded a little bit, but that didn't stop the son of Jupiter joining Leo and Percy's argument.

"You were pretty quiet, are you sure you're okay?" Hazel asked as they began to pack away the picnic stuff a couple hours later.

"I'm great," Nico flashed her a rare smile as he knelt down and picked up his jacket, "I've never really been the talkative type."

Hazel seemed to relax a little bit.

"When will I see you again?"

Around them everyone was saying goodbye. Percy offered everyone handshakes and hugs, having a final laugh with Jason and clapping him on the back. Annabeth was speaking to Piper, who seemed to be needing help with some homework, but Percy- after finishing his other goodbyes, swept Annabeth into his arms and kissed her passionately.

Pulling his eyes away from the others he smiled again and pulled her in for a hug.

"I don't have a busy schedule," Nico let go of her, knowing he just made her night, "I'll be by often."

"Good," she poked him in the chest, "I'm holding you to that."

The Romans, with addition to Piper and Leo, left not long after. Leo pulled Nico aside and made a quick attempt at convincing the Son of Hades to let him see North's workshop, but unfortunately Nico didn't comply. After more kissing, Annabeth left with Thalia who would be spending Christmas Eve at her place. That left Percy and Nico.

It didn't take long to shadow travel back into Percy's apartment. The green eyed hero set the bag down and pulled off his shoes while Nico played with a petal of a Moonlace flower.

"You going to stay for Christmas?" Percy asked as he ruffled his black hair and put on a jacket to keep out some of the chill that was filling the room from the open window.

"I don't want to intrude," Nico waved off the idea, "besides I have to help Jack find gifts for everyone. I'm gonna go start getting some stuff now. I'll call in soon. Do you mind if I take one of these?" Nico gestured to the flower box, over filling with Moonlace, and Percy let him take a single flower and soil out, placing it in a discarded drink cup for safe keeping.

"Don't party too hard," Percy joked lightly, watching as Nico disappeared again, grabbing his bag in the process.

The son of Hades immerged at Camp Half-Blood, eyes set on the armoury. He would cross a gift for North off the list first. He'd be the hardest. Nico was thinking maybe some sword polish- but the sword polish he used. North had once commented on the appearance of his swords. Apparently the Russian man used an old mixture that worked well to keep the swords in fighting condition, but smelt horrible.

The son of Hades grabbed a tub of the Camps mixture off the shelf. Made for Godly Metals it not only worked perfectly, it also had a refreshing smell of Frangipanis; nobody knew why, it just always had, not that anyone complained. Putting it in his bag he rifled through the contents for a moment until he found what he needed.

A Hell Hound tooth.

He had acquired it after one had made a blind bite at him and actually managed to get a good grip on him. Just because they couldn't see him didn't mean they couldn't smell him. He must've smelt different, or stronger, because even touching anything near a monster would send them on high alert for pray. He'd come out with only a scar, and the tooth which had become dislodged from the animals mouth in the battle.

"Can I just give her a tooth?" he gazed at the sharp canine for a moment, scowling a little.

He supposed it would have to do. He didn't think Tooth would appreciate it if he drilled a hole into it to make a necklace. Stuffing the tooth back in his bag, he stepped outside and went to the Demeter cabin. Climbing up on the roof, he tipped one of the flowers out of its clay pot and transferred the Moonlace into it, filling it with fresh new soil from other pots.

"What do you give a man made out of sand?" Nico mused as he crouched on the Demeter roof, gazing out at the ocean.

In the end, he ended up getting Sandman a mini white-board. The man had a tendency of using pictures to convey messages, but they were never always clear. This way he could write down some more important things he wanted to say. Apparently writing out of sand was tiresome.

Then there was Jack. What could he give Jack? He paused on the empty sidewalk, thinking. Shoes? New pants? No, there must've been an emotional reason he didn't change pants or wear shoes. He didn't know where the idea came from. A necklace. Not a Camp necklace; they were reserved for campers only. A good luck token. A Cacadeus. It was the only one Nico knew. Besides, Hermes seemed to be one of the few gods who wasn't a dick.

So he sought out to find one. It took all night, and many trips, but he found one he liked up and covered in dust in the Blue House attic. He rubbed the brass metal between his fingers. An abandoned project by the look of it; maybe the one who owned it died. Nico found a leather string used for Camp beads and slid it onto it.

The night wore on and turned to day. Nico found himself hanging out in the same New Orleans graveyard again. Relatives came to visit the graves and he watched them with uninterested eyes. It was always the same people. An elderly widow, a son, and a father, all visiting different graves.

At midday he met Jack and helped him come up with a gift for North. It took the best part of the day, but they managed to come with something; a baking book. Apparently the big man could only cook fruit cakes, something Jack despised with a passion.

At Midnight he turned up at Santoff Clauson, bag filled with his gifts, not at all surprised to find everyone else already there. North, was absent, napping according to the others. He'd finished his present delivery in record time.

"Merry Christmas," Tooth smiled brightly as she hugged Nico, "oh, isn't this amazing? Your first Christmas with us!"

"I can't say I'm a big Christmas goer," Nico sat down in a plump chair near the fire.

"Is it a Pagan thing?" Jack asked from his position up in the rafters.

"I haven't been Pagan all my life, you know," Nico rolled his eyes, "Christmas was never just a big thing."

"Well, it is now, mate," Bunny sat so close to the fire Nico was surprised he wasn't getting burnt, "you want to experience a real Christmas, you gotta head down under, you get what I mean? No snow, no winds, no staying inside. All sunshine and rainbows down there."

"Too hot," Nico waved a hand and smirked, "much nicer up here."

"Can't even see the ruddy sun up here," Bunny muttered in a low voice.

Three hours later North awoke more jolly then Nico had ever seen him. After a bone crushing embrace, he let Nico go, and sat down on the couch, dumping a sack by the side.

"We give gifts first, then eat, ya?" North asked cheerfully.

"Same as every year, mate," Bunny rolled his eyes.

"I go first," North stuck his hand into the sack and pulled out some perfectly wrapped gifts and handed them to each of the Guardians, "I enjoyed making these! Much fun!"

Nico sat down and stared at the green wrapped and red bowed present. Carefully unwrapping it he found himself left with a box. Opening it up he saw himself staring at a floppy green cap. He picked it up and felt it in his hands. It was soft to touch and beautiful to look at. It seemed to be identical to Bianca's.

"How did you know about this?" Nico questioned as he turned the hat over in his hands.

"I have my ways," North smiled, "you like, no?"

"I love," Nico replied.

"Ooh, my turn!" Tooth fluttered excitedly out of the room, returning with arms laden full of gifts.

She handed him a cylinder shape and stared at him intently as he opened it. In his hands was a shiny golden, pink and blue box, with the smiling face of a girl on the end. He turned it over in his hands, weighing it as he went, not fully understanding what it was.

"I retrieved it after Pitch was defeated, from his lair, I mean," Tooth was beginning to invade personal space, "it's a little unorthodox but it's just going to sit gathering dust at the palace, so I thought you could have it! I made it so you can open it-"

"What is it?" Nico questioned in confusion.

"It's your sister memories," Tooth's smile was so bright that it was near smiling, "I thought you should have them."

Nico turned it over in his hand again, feeling its weight, suddenly seeing the importance. Running his hand along the cool metal on the side he smiled at Tooth who was still waiting for a reaction.

"Thank you," was all he could manage to say.

The gifts kept on coming. From Sandy he received his own personal bag of golden dream sand (the reason why remained unspoken though he knew the answer), from Bunny a hand crafted boomerang ('much better then swords, I tell ya), but Jacks was the most surprising.

It was huge, bigger than anything else, and when he retrieved it, he was surprised by the weight. Everyone stopped and stared, waiting for him to open it. When he did, he was surprised. Resting in front of him was a limited edition full collector's edition of Mythomagic figures and cards. It contained more than he had originally owned. His old ones had been burnt with his childhood, but now, he found himself gaping in shock.

"I think you broke him," Tooth whispered to Jack.

"More of those figurines?" Bunny grumbled.

"How?" Nico gasped, finally finished processing what had happened, "I've never seen this let alone owned this many cards! They even have Ra and he's one of the rarest of them all!-"

"See, Bunny, Christmas is filled with wonder," North elbowed the bunny, who rolled his eyes.

"I noticed you always carried that figurine around, so, I looked into it and asked Percy about it. He said you, uh, burnt them, so I asked North to get it for me," Jack rubbed the back of his neck, blushing purple, "I didn't realise it meant that much you."

"I always regretted burning them," Nico thought out loud, "thank you."

A silence followed, and Nico pulled himself away from the collection, moving to his bag.

"I, uh, got you guys stuff," he suddenly felt very out of place as he pulled the necklace (now wrapped in red paper) to Jack.

Jack unwrapped it and looked at it confused for a moment, but Nico rushed to explain.

"It's a Caduceus, the symbol of Hermes, a good luck charm" Nico pushed back a blush, "it symbolises health, balance and polarity. And Hermes himself is an okay guy…"

"I love it," Jack tied around his neck straight away, "can always do with more luck."

He then pulled out the sword polish and handed it to North who instantly dipped his fingers into it and rubbed it around a little bit. Everyone watched as the large man sniffed it and recoiled in surprise, and then tasted it, grimacing a little.

"It's sword polish," Nico stuck his hands into his pockets, "made for imperial gold, celestial bronze and stygian iron-"

North picked him up and hugged him again. Nico struggled to breath as the large man squeezed him.

"I never have time to make good polish- so hard and so long to make- thank you,"

He then gave Tooth and Sandy their presents. Tooth instantly began inspecting it with a keen eye before beginning to go on about how it would go in perfect with her collection of canines that she'd been working on for the past two centuries. Sandy took the opportunity to write thank you¸ in neat curly writing on the board.

"We can now understand you clearly, friend!" North laughed heartily.

Surprisingly Bunny's reaction to his gift was the most surprising. Nico pulled travelled to get the plant from where he had left it and returned, holding out the clay pot, offering up the silver glowing flower.

"It's Moonlace-"

"I know what it is, you Brumby," Bunny took the pot off him delicately, "flower found only in Ogygia, classed as one of the rarest plants in the world, considered to be a myth within the gardener world. How on earth did ya get your paws on this?"

"My cousin visited Ogygia a couple years ago," Nico rubbed the back of his neck, "and she gave it to him. It was flourishing so he let me take some."

"Oh, even I was beginning to think these things were a myth," Bunny sat down, holding the pot like it was a gift from the gods, "look at this colouring and glow! Imagine the cross-"

"We should eat, ya?" North cut Bunny off, who was to fascinated with the plant to care.

They moved into the large dining room, Bunny setting the plant down on the window ledge under the moonlight, and starred at the food in amazement. It seemed nothing was missing. Nico could see turkey, ham, beef, pork, salads of every kind, he even swore he spotted a watermelon sculpture further down the table. A yeti poured him a glass of soda before backing away and letting the Guardians eat in peace.

"Too new beginnings," North raised his glass high in the air and everyone followed.

"Too new family," Tooth smiled at Nico as she said that.

"Too new family!" Everyone toasted.

So, there you have it, the really bad ending to the story. Hoped you enjoyed the show. Sequel? Maybe. THANKS FOR ALL MY LOVELY REVIEWERS! It's been an honour writing for you!