For The Love Of A Sea Son

Summary: In the ending battle, Percy dies to save his friends. The others all accepted the offer of immortality, even Annabeth. His days in Elysium feel like an eternity in Tartarus, knowing he would never see them again. So, Percy, hurt by their betrayal, decides to take a swim in the River Lethe and be reborn. His only wish is that no one will know. Percico/ Perico/ Pernico/ Nicercy.

Notes: Let's have some fun with this, I promise the finally pairing will be PercyxNico, but during this story I think we'll have our favourite child of Poseidon paired with a number of other characters. So, don't be too shocked if he shares a few kisses, but this OTP will be Percico!

It's been a while since I have read the books. So, if I make any errors with content or little details please tell me. I'll be more than happy to change my mistakes. And lastly, please review and tell me what you guys think! Your reviews help feed a praise-deprived, starving writer like me... Plus I'll give you a cookie... a blue cookie ;) xxx

Warning: Swearing, blood, hurt... later on.

Disclaimer: Let's just say if I owned the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books, or any of the films and books I write fanfics for, I'd be a lot richer and probably live in the Caribbean.

xXx

Chapter 1 - Sorry I Died

"Please don't make us promise that, Percy."

Silena's voice strung clear with the solitude of closing winters. Two thirds weary from the secrets she held.

"I'd rather they didn't know." The boy answered bluntly, there was no remorse in his tone.

The daughter of Aphrodite crossed her arms instinctively with frustration. "It's childish, Percy-"

"The pair of you wouldn't deny me this?" The Sea prince pleaded. Something deeper than stubbornness flashed in his eyes.

Silena looked to Charlie for support.

He shifted uncomfortable under her attention, before sighing deeply. "Percy you're such a seaweed head. The fact that they won't be able to find you, will mean they'll search for you."

"Not if you keep up the lie," Percy implored soulfully, "pretend I'm still down here. Besides, Nico's the only one who can enter Elysium."

"And just what would we say to him?" Silena asked sarcastically. "It's not like the Ghost King can be fooled easily in his own domain!"

"Say that I'm around somewhere. That he just missed me, say whatever it takes." The son of Poseidon finished shakily. Desperation sinking into his sharp features.

Charlie sighed again. Shorter this time on his breath, but heavy on his heart. "He'll catch on eventually, Nico's a smart kid. He'll never stop looking for you."

His words are met unanswered for a few seconds too long as Percy's eyes saddened a little.

"I wouldn't be so sure." He whispered, avoiding the others gazes. "He'll try a few times, of course. But only because the others begged him. It's never been the same since I let. . ."

"-Percy, stop blaming yourself for Bianca. She doesn't. And Nico stopped a long time ago." Charlie urged.

"How can you know? After, Nico was never the same towards me." The Sea son's eyes, that clashed somewhere between green and blue, flickered painfully with the memory.

Silena huffed at Poseidon's ignorant offspring. Her mother was right, a child born to another God or Goddess would never truly understand the complex workings of love. But Percy just continued on obliviously, dismissing her knowing expression.

"After a few attempts Nico will give up."

"Don't count on it," Silena adds heatedly, catching Charlie glance worriedly at her.

"Silena, Charlie," he paused. "They chose immorality. I will never see any of them again. Do you have any idea how much that hurts?" Percy echoed heartbrokenly, his voice cracking towards the end.

Of all the things she wanted him to understand, of all the thing she needed to say but could not find the words. The daughter of Aphrodite wondered if this moment would haunt her, for her supposed peaceful eternity.

"Fine, we'll do it." She reluctantly agreed. "We won't tell anyone you decided to be reborn."

"Thanks, I owe you guys." A thin smile graced the son of Poseidon's lips.

Charlie smirked. "Well you're gonna be forever in our debt, Jackson, and you won't even know it. So, you gonna make us swear on the River Styx or something?"

"No, I trust you both." Percy lifted his arm and ran his fingers through his hair. "Plus, there's not much point down here in, well you know, '''the underworld."

The three of them chuckled. Their laughter carried through the air and echoed up against the black rock.

It took a few light breaths before Charles raised an eyebrow in curiosity and asked. "What do you hope for, Jackson?"

Percy hummed quietly before finding a brilliant smile. "I don't know really. . . Something normal, maybe something a little exciting?"

Silena sniggering, "make your mind up fish brain, you can't have both!"

Charles joined her laughter as Percy looked thoughtful for a moment. A flash passed across his ocean eyes and a reply landed on his tongue. He smirked mischievously and began to walk away, leaving the couple with else to do but frown at each other in confusion.

Stopping just short of the entrance to Elysium, the son of the Sea turned to face them and yelled back.

"I guess then you could say- I want a life, I won't wish to forget!"

xXx

It was strange.

Strange like an abandoned factory floor, with all the machinery left intact and operational. This part of the underworld was dead silent. No screaming souls, no howls from hellhounds - nothing. Well, nothing apart from the gentle, soothing hum of flowing water.

The River Lethe looked calm, peaceful even, but Percy knew better than to trust the currents under the dark surface. Dangerous water cascaded through a gorge of sleek, black volcanic rock. The Lethe seemed to draw him closer. Calls whispered in his ears every time his eyes were drawn by its beauty.

Standing at the river bank, the Sea prince could not help but hesitate. This was a big deal. Wiping his memories would be like erasing himself from existence. He stared at the waters, and imagined how being ripped apart would feel. Then, only to have those fragile pieces washed to oblivion.

It wasn't a pleasant thought.

Percy swallowed thickly and cursed every time he lifted to foot to jump, but only manage to scuff it along in the dirt.

"Do you need a push?"

The sudden voice caused Percy to flinch sharply and whirl around in surprise. Years of training had him poised to defend himself at the first sign of a threat. His eyes widen slightly at the uninvited spectator.

"Lord Hades? What are you doing here?"

The God of the Underworld smirked. "Well I do live here, '''boy, I think that should be reason enough."

Percy open his mouth to reply, but was interrupted.

"Now before you jump to conclusions, your two little friends in Elysium didn't snitch on you." He said unbemused. "I have spies everywhere-"

The son of Poseidon panicked. "-Please! I-"

"-Uh bu-bu-bah, I'm not finished yet, and before you ask, I will not inform Nico of your decision. Even though he's my son, if it is your wish, then after everything you've done for me, that action would be. . . dishonourable."

Percy looked shocked at Hades' confession. "Th-Thank you," he stuttered. "But I don't understand why you came here personally?"

"My dear boy, how could I not? Are you not the Percy Jackson?" He sighed, a slight sarcastic edge in his tone.

"Yeah, but-"

"Okay, whatever, I'm a very busy God you know, people never stop dying and we're getting pretty crowded down here. Not that my airhead brother will ever listen," he added bitterly. "So anyway, when a soul decides to reuse itself, it's always a bonus."

"I hope I'm not causing you too much trouble."

Hades gave the young boy a calculating look. "I will have to meet with Lethe and the Moirae to arrange your next life. It will take time, and I don't really want to be graced by their company." He finished sounding slightly disgusted, "but I guess there's no other way."

"Will I be reborn as a demigod?" Percy asked a little too casually.

Hades sighed. "There's a reason I don't bother greeting souls here. They are too many questions."

The son of Poseidon braced himself a little at the God's tone.

"I don't know yet, the Fates will have to decide. But I do have something interesting in mind."

Percy smiled, and before Hades had time to react, he embraced him in a light hug. Suffice to say, the jester was not returned. The look of shock on the God's face would keep the underworld nymphs laughing for weeks.

"I'm sorry we never really got along Uncle, our family's just a tad bit too dysfunctional." Percy said, letting go and backing away, hoping he hadn't crossed too far over the line.

There was slight, almost unnoticeable hitch in Hades' breath, and after a long pause, he finally answered. "You're a good kid, my seaweed for brains brother did okay with you."

Percy nodded and turned away to face the water again. He felt more prepared now. Calmer than just those couple of minutes ago. He stepped forward and took a deep breath.

"I can still give you that push?" Hades chuckled behind him.

Smiling, Percy glanced back. "I won't give you the chance!" And with that, he stepped into what could only be described as feeling like a bottomless void of water.

xXx

Old habitats die hard. The moment Percy was submerged under the water, he instinctively inhaled. Big mistake. The water crashed into his mouth, burning his throat and lungs. He immediately thrashed against the cold, icy grip that tugged at his arms and legs. Trying to swim back to the surface, he was only dragged further down.

Percy's hyperactive mind mused slightly at the ironicalness that a son of the sea was, in fact, drowning.

Tiny pockets of air escaped his lips as fizzing bubbles. His black hair floated gently, and seemed to melt into the dark colour of the water. Ceasing his struggles, Percy wondered if the River hadn't worked. He could still remember everything. Time slowed down as he drifted in the currents, sinking further and further down.

Then, all of a sudden, thousands of invisible claws began to tear at his skin. Plunging deep and hacking away at his body. He twisted in agony and curled in on himself. Drawing his arms to his chest, Percy frowned at his unblemished skin as the claws left no physical damage.

Amongst the white-hot pain and torment, he hoped it hadn't felt this way for Nico and Bianca. . . But who was. . . Who's Nico? The burning of his insides was the only sensation keeping the son of Poseidon grounded.

He begged to be released, wishing for death. For some reason that made him frown. He debated what he had done to deserve such a punishment.

An emptiness filled his gut, creeping up into his mind. Honeycombed light filtered from the surface, alerting the boy which way was up. He kicked and thrashing, only to realise he had no idea how to swim. He gave all his energy trying to break through of the water, but he barely managed to struggle a few feet. The panic subsided as blissful black spots covered his vision. He gladly allowed unconsciousness to consume him.

xXx

San Francisco Bay, California, USA

In a private room on a hospital maternity ward, a ravishing women, in her mid-twenties, screamed. Ringleted, dark chocolate hair fell haphazardly over her pale sweaty face. Another scream kissed then ripped from the back of her throat.

Her heavy panting filled the moments between her cries. Gripping the hand of her lover, the women gave one more yell of pain. A breath-taking smile graced her lips, as the sound of pitiful little wails filled the sterile room.

The man with coal black hair, who physically appeared a few years older than the women, broke away. Her touch lingered on his fingers, but he knew soon he would miss her warm embrace.

"He's beautiful, Venus." His shaky voice barely made a whisper.

Tears formed in the corner of his grey eyes. He turned to face the exhausted women on the bed, a bundle of sky-blue blanket in his arms. Walking over, he bent down on knee and carefully lowered himself next to her. She tentatively peered at the small baby in his charge, and gasped slightly. Her new born son donned raven hair just like his father, and gorgeous eyes that clashed somewhere between green and blue.

The Goddess of Love mused slightly, wondering where exactly such an extraordinary unique colour had come from. For a fleeting instant, the sea green reminded her of Poseidon.

By the door, the midwife beamed at the couple. Even though she saw many children born each day, there was always something special about these precious moments. She nodded, saying she'd be back in ten minutes to check up, before leaving them alone.

"Have you decided on a name, Sam?" The women asked, brushing the hair out of her face. Her hazel eyes traced her newest son's profile, absorbing every little detail of his physic.

Sam looked up into her beautiful eyes, full of love and devotion, and couldn't stop the tears.

Venus pushed herself into a more comfortable sitting position, leaning against the double pillows. She held out her arms to take her youngest child. Sam bent over and carefully placed the fragile bundle in her waiting hold.

The baby immediately quietened and curiously peered into his mother's eyes. A sound halfway between a giggle and a gurgle escape his mouth. Venus smiled so sweetly, she could have passed as an angel.

"I have a few ideas," Sam said, affectionately pushing a curl of brown hair behind her left ear.

The Goddess looked from her son to the mortal man she loved dearly. He had come to understand who she was several months ago, of course the initial freak out was inevitable. No one could calmly except they were having a child with a Roman Goddess. But he was a good man, and loved her no less knowing that she wouldn't be able to stay with him and their son.

Still knelt down beside her, Sam reached out to stroke his son's already messy hair. A light pressure invaded his shoulder. Glancing over, he smiled at the sight of the women resting her head on him. He come to terms that his lover, was in fact the Goddess of love. And that although she loved him with all her heart, it was in her nature to pursue and love other men.

But for now, this moment, just this moment, belonged to them.

"I think, we should call him Jack."

xXx