"I just wish he was the same kid I met four years ago," Percy Jackson whispered to his girlfriend, Annabeth Chase. They were watching Nico di Angelo sitting on the couch in the lobby of Olympus. It had been a few weeks since they had defeated Gaea, and while everyone was still celebrating, Nico sat on the couch in the darkest corner, staring off into space.

Everyone else from the Seven, along with some friends was meeting in here tonight to catch up and say goodbye to their parents for a while. They were just waiting to be called into the throne room.

"I never got to meet that Nico," Annabeth mused. "What was he like?"

Percy smiled. "Very curious. Outgoing. Funny." The smile slipped from his face. "Fearless. Trusting." Percy ran his fingers through his hair. "I miss him."

Thalia Grace had come up to the couple during their conversation. "He was annoying." She smiled affectionately. They watched Nico brooding for a moment longer. "Why do you think he's so depressed today anyway?" Thalia asked. Annabeth snorted. "He's Nico. Does he need a reason?" She countered at the same time Percy murmured, "It's Bianca's birthday."

There was silence in the little group. "Oh," Annabeth said softly. Percy sighed. "I just hope the gods don't provoke him." As if on cue, the doors to the throne room opened and they were ushered in. Throughout the meeting, Percy kept one eye on Nico. Thankfully nothing happened to set him off. Then, just as they were about to leave, Hades spoke up.

"Wait for a moment," he commanded. Everyone paused and turned back. Percy prayed fervently that whatever this was, it wouldn't involve-

"Nico di Angelo."

Crap.

Nico lifted his head and looked at his dad. "Yes, Father?"

"I have a matter of business to discuss with you," Hades began. Oh joy, thought Percy, tensing. Annabeth took his hand.

"I have decided that you may no longer live in the way that you do," the king of the dead continued.

"And which way is that?" asked Nico, eyes narrowing at his father. Annabeth and Percy exchanged a look. This wasn't going well.

"Traveling as you wish from place to place, camp to camp." Hades waved a hand. "No more. Find a place and stay." The Lord of the Underworld narrowed his eyes right back at Nico.

"Or what?" snarled Nico. Everyone in the throne room exchanged looks. This was going to get ugly. Still no one made a move to stop it.

"Or," Hades stressed, "I will have to find a place for you. One that I can nearly guarantee won't be nearly as pleasant for you. A home, for instance." Shrewd black eyes narrowed further. "Or the Lotus Casino, perhaps?"

Nico flinched, but remained stone-faced. "And why is this necessary?"

Heads in the throne room were following the verbal tennis match closely, heads turning from Nico to Hades to Nico again. All eyes were on the Lord of the Dead as he regarded his son.

"I no longer trust you to stay out of trouble, since you got yourself captured by Gaea's forces," Hades said smoothly. "Obviously since your sister is no longer here to protect you, you need a new guardian."

Percy winced at the blow. All eyes were now on Nico as they waited for a comeback. Nico's eyes were narrowed to slits. He gave his father a look of pure hatred, then turned on his heel and began to leave the throne room. Percy watched him leave with growing desperation. Suddenly, he had an idea.

"WAIT!"

The holler echoed through the quiet throne room. Now all eyes were on Percy. Even Nico had stopped his escape and stared at him in shock.

Percy flushed red. "Just wait a second, please," he said a little softer. He turned to Nico and waved his hand to get him to come back. Nico rolled his eye a little but reluctantly returned. When Nico was again standing with the group, Percy turned to face the gods. He fastened his sea-green gaze on Hades black one.

"I seek permission to become the legal guardian of Nico di Angelo, son of Hades."