CHAPTER SUMMARY

The trial.

BEGINNING NOTES

Chapter Rating: General Audiences
Content Warning: Cursing
Word Count: 5197

And all the characters are owned by J.K. Rowling, or Rick Riordan.

Credits at the end.

_NICO_

Nico hadn't been to Olympus since the Second Titan War.

It was even more beautiful than he remembered it. Annabeth had really outdone herself during the last two years of work. There were lavish gardens full of nymphs and satyrs, Greek shrines and Roman temples, modern-style apartments, meandering paths speckled with trees and flowers. It reminded him of his villa in la Valle d'Aosta, the back garden where he and Bianca would play-if you could even call it a garden; there was enough land there to house a farm. He felt full of awe, but nostalgic too.

Nico walked with his friends, with Percy on one side and Will on the other. The only questers who weren't there were Roszí and Ianthe, who'd joined up with their Hunters before. They'd meet up with them in the throne room.

On their way to the throne room, they passed a Roman-style complex that looked like a mini hotel. It was three stories with a completely open front; instead of doors, a dozen columns stood in front of the first floor of the temple. It had an atrium with a double pool to one side, and a small grove on a hill on the other. Unlike some of the other buildings, it was completely barren of nymphs and satyrs. And yet, Nico was drawn to it.

"What is this place, Annabeth?" Nico asked.

"I don't know," Annabeth said. "This is one of the sections of Olympus Kronos didn't have time to destroy. It's beautiful, though. I wonder who it's for?"

"Only one way to find out," Nico said. He walked off the path and squeezed through the columns. His friends followed closely behind.

"Shouldn't we, I dunno, get to the trial?" Ron asked.

"One minute," Nico insisted. The first floor looked like a domus, the standard home for the Roman upper classes. The room was a tablinum, a Roman living room, with seats and tables, a massive fireplace, and a few rugs to line the floor. Directly in front of him, across from the opening, was an altar with the usual Lares and household gods.

Cho walked over to the fireplace and touched the base with two fingers. "Look," she said, holding up her hand. Both fingers were black. "Soot. But it's hardened. I don't think anyone's been here in a long time."

"I think so too," Hestia said. "Everything's covered in dust."

"I have a bad feeling about this," Will said. "Neeks, I think we should get out of here. If it's abandoned, it's probably bad news."

"I'm with Will," Blaise said.

"And me," Lou Ellen agreed. "This has cursed written all over it."

Nico looked wistfully at the stairs leading to the second floor. "Yeah," he muttered, but he was entranced. Not hypnotized like he was when he faced Alastor; this felt different, important, but definitely not sinister. He made a silent vow to return after the trial, then tore his eyes away. "Yeah, let's go."

He walked towards the door, but stopped at the altar. Without a moment's hesitation, he took off the skull ring Bianca had given him and laid it down as a small sacrifice. It hurt a little-he always felt like a piece of him was in that ring-but it felt like the right thing to do. "Whoever you are, whatever you are, I'll be back," he whispered. "You won't be forgotten."

Percy took his hand and guided him away.

They reached the throne room without another distraction. This was the one place Annabeth hadn't redesigned, since the gods rebuilt it themselves, so it looked the same as always. All twelve Olympians sat in their respective thrones, but in different forms. Zeus, Poseidon, Artemis, Hermes, Athena, and Dionysus were in their Greek forms; Juno, Venus, Vulcan, Mars, Ceres, and Apollo were in their Roman. Hades and Persephone stood off to one side; Hecate and Merlin stood on the other. Hestia, as always, sat in the center, keeping the hearth going. She smiled warmly at Nico and Cho when they walked in.

"Genevieve!" Cho cried with glee. Then, she caught herself. "I- I mean, Vesta."

"You've done well, Cho," Hestia said pleasantly. "Come, heroes, sit by the fire with me. I think our family has much to discuss."

"Yes." Zeus cleared his throat. He did not look happy. "Hades, you stand trial today for the attempted murder of my daughter Persephone and conspiracy against Olympus. How do you plead?"

" 'My daughter Persephone,' " Persephone muttered just loud enough for Nico to hear. "First time in an aeon you've called me that."

"Stand with me, Proserpine," Ceres demanded. "Stay away from that foul man. He'll be gone soon enough."

"Quite the vote of confidence, Ceres," Dionysus said dryly.

"This is absurd!" Venus scoffed. "Zeus, why would he try to murder the woman he loves?"

"Indeed," Athena agreed. "Father, this is obviously an attempt for Ceres to strike against Hades. With all his faults, he cares about Persephone too much to put her in harm's way."

"Not if he thought doing so would give him Jupiter's throne," Mars countered with a hateful glance at Athena. "He's forgotten his wife before when he as something to gain. In fact, the living proof is right in front of us." He directed a pointed stare at Nico.

"But to that extent?" Juno argued. "What husband would kill his wife?!"

"The same one who kidnapped her!" Poseidon snapped. "Did you just forget that, Juno?"

"There, you see!" Ceres cried. "That is all the proof we need. Hades is guilty!"

"What about Hecate?!" Artemis shouted. "Her attack on Camp Jupiter was scheming and dishonorable! My first lieutenant, you daughter, Zeus, is dead because of her. With all his faults, Hades killed no one!"

"He killed Hecate's son!" Hermes shot back. "And there's no proof Hecate launched that attack!"

"Oh, please," Vulcan snapped. "The Artifacts of Thanatos and Philosopher's Stone ended whatever it was. Why would magical tools end something that wasn't magical in origin?"

Nico couldn't take it any longer. "Thalia is dead!" he shouted. "Alabaster is dead! Percy Weasley, Harry Potter, Yasmina the Hunter, fuck, Cho died; I died at one point too! Isn't all that enough?! Do you all want the end of Western Civilization?!"

"I will not be spoken to that way by a mere child!" Zeus shouted. "My daughter sacrificed her life to bring justice, and that's what I intend to do!"

All twelve Olympians started shouting at once. Nico didn't know what to do; why had he listened when the doorman demanded he leave the Artifacts and Stone on the first floor?

"Zeus." It was a small voice, and yet it reverberated throughout the room. All the gods stopped arguing to turn and stare at Hestia, the only one still a normal size, the only one in neutral dress, not quite Greek, not quite Roman. The only one who was still neutral.

"Hestia?" Zeus asked, surprised, and, surprisingly, calm.

"If I might speak," she began, "I think the boy is right. What happens if we banish Hades to Tartarus or ban him from Olympus forever? We split this family in two and start a civil war. This family has never been, well, functional, but it's always managed to stick together against its enemies. The hardest enemy to fight is yourself, but we must, or Olympus itself will fall, kicking and screaming like a newborn child."

She turned to Ceres. "Ceres, your daughter might've been caught up in the Wizard Genocide last year, but she is safe now. You fight for her, but listen to her. Persephone, do you want Hades punished?"

Persephone shook her head. "No, I don't. Mother, I will always love you and am grateful for how much you love me, but you have to pick your battles. I'm no longer a child. I can fight in my own name, and I do against Hades every winter. That's what marriage is." She walked to Ceres and took her hand. "Mother, I know it hurt when I ran from you, but I ate that pomegranate and paid for it. The one happiness I have when I descend is my love for Hades, our daughter, and the power I get from being a queen. My curse doesn't end if Hecate gets Erebos; I only lose what keeps me sane during the long winter months."

Ceres' stern face had fallen to tears. "I want to rescue you, Kore, my pride and joy," she whispered.

"But, Mother, I don't need rescuing."

"I-" Ceres hesitated. Persephone squeezed her mother's hand. "Lord Zeus, I rescind my charge against Hades."

Nico scanned the room. Of all the gods, only Hades and Hecate had no reaction. They'd both been stoic since the beginning.

"Well, then, I suppose that's that," Zeus forced out. "There is one othermatter to discuss." Nico gulped. He'd lost his daughter, and now his chance to get rid of Hades. Whatever his revenge would be, it wouldn't be pretty.

At Zeus's proclamation, Hecate lost her composure. "Lord Zeus-"

"Enough, Hecate," Zeus snapped. "I gave you land and followers of your own, I released you from your oath of maidenhood, and you went behind my back and turned that into a god!" He pointed angrily at Merlin. "I showed your son mercy, and you allowed him back after we banished him! You have betrayedOlympus! For your crimes, I put the council to vote-"

"Lord Zeus?" Merlin stepped forward. "It was I who invented the Philosopher's Stone, not Hecate. It was I who cheated death and demanded she make me a god. It was I who asked Alabaster to return, not she. I accept what's long overdue: I will go with Hades to the Fields of Punishment. Hecate has watched hundreds of children and thousands of followers die from Persephone's curse. She has lost her two most beloved children, Alabaster and Salazar, to this war. In my eyes, that is penance enough."

Zeus clenched his jaw. "All in favor?"

"NO!" Hecate screamed, more anguished than Nico had ever heard her. She ran in front of Zeus's throne, dropped to her knees, and bowed before him, her entire body shaking. "My lord, please," she begged.

"We have already shown you mercy, Hecate," Zeus reminded her. "Your crimes will not go unpunished again."

"No, they won't." Hecate lifted her head, tears in her eyes. "My lord, my king, you're wise enough to know that Merlin's lying. I gave him the Stone, I pursued a relationship despite my oath, and I turned him into a god. He isn't to blame, I am."

Zeus raised his eyebrows. "Merlin helped to lift your curse on Camp Jupiter. He betrayed you, and you ask us to show him mercy?"

"Betrayed me?" Hecate glanced at her husband with a sad smile. "He pushes me to be better. He protects me from myself. Without him, I would've brought Western Civilization to its knees to get Alabaster back." She turned back to Zeus. "I have a counterproposal."

Merlin rushed towards her. "Hecate, don't."

"Banish me to my followers," Hecate announced before Merlin could stop her. "Demote me, make me nothing more than a deity of a tiny speck of a tiny island thousands of miles from Olympus. Make Persephone my replacement; she's got enough talent as the goddess of nature magic. All I ask is that my husband stays by my side, and that Hades allows me to take my son back. I know he is keeping him alive as a prisoner in the Underworld. Give this to me, and you'll never see me again."

Zeus thought and thought, then slowly nodded his head. "If the Council agrees?"

Every Olympian raised their hand.

"Mom!" Lou Ellen screamed. "Mom, you can't! No!"

Hecate turned to her daughter, tears in her eyes. "I think Chiron will allow you to stay at camp, my daughter, so don't despair. This is right. This is justice."

"I object," came a lone voice.

Hecate, still on her knees, gasped. "Hades?"

"What, Hecate, do you think I would allow that? Ruling exclusively over a realm and being essentially banished from Olympus is my role and nobody else's." Hades rolled his eyes. "Please. And you'd give me another reason for my mother-in-law to hate me? Give Persephone more to do? And what happens to the Mist when she's with me and unable to monitor it correctly? Think of the infrastructure I'd have to build!"

"But… but you're not part of the Council…" Hecate said in utter shock.

"I am still an Olympian, am I not, brother?" Hades asked Zeus. Zeus was forced to nod. "So, you see Hecate, I am perfectly able to vote. And, seeing how a punishment of this caliber needs a unanimous decision, you'll just have to go on being the goddess of magic."

"So you agree with Merlin's suggestion?" Zeus questioned.

Hades rolled his eyes. "And deal with all that paperwork? No, I'm far too busy for that, plotting my next takeover of Olympus."

"So you admit you want to dethrone me?"

Hades laughed. "I said plot, not do. Oh, Hecate's right that I'm a bit trigger happy: threatening to open the gates when Persephone was to leave me, when my healm was stolen, the Wizard Genocide, this most recent war… but, I'm all bark and no bite, everyone knows that. Still, it's good fun." Hades shrugged. "Hecate, take your son back, for all I care. It's more work than I'm used to, dealing with the living within my walls. I've never done it before, and I don't think I want to ever do it again."

Well, we both know that's not true. You took care of me.

Nico didn't dare say that out loud, nor look at his father. He knew what would happen if Zeus ever found out.

"Then what do you propose, Hades?" Zeus demanded. "You would let your worst enemy get off scot free?"

"Yes, I suppose I would."

"But you are not the leader of this council." Zeus trained his eyes back on Hecate. "For your crimes-"

"All in favor of ending this war and moving on to something actually worth our time?" Hades called out.

The Olympians glanced at each other. Zeus was frozen with rage, but, around him, the other gods raised their hands.

"Seeing how peace treaties don't have to be unanimous, Zeus, I think that's that."

For once, the lord of the sky was speechless. Nico couldn't help but enjoy the humiliation; he would never forget what that god did to Camp Half-Blood and New York City.

"I think we should negotiate a peace treaty, then," Juno said. Zeus was still in too much of a shock to proceed over the council. "Hades, Hecate, you are forbidden from interacting again, unless it is here on Olympus, with the permission of the council. Alabaster C. Torrington will be returned to Hecate immediately. As for Cho Chang…"

"We promised her new life," Persephone put in. "That loose end is tied."

"But she betrayed you," Juno pointed out. "To leave a dead girl alive would break the laws of nature. Jupiter and I cannot allow it."

"It's my realm," Hades reminded her. "I say Cho stays. She's under Hestia's protection, after all, and she's the only member of the family I believe likes me."

"My Lady!" Roszí called out. "Cho hath proved herself to me many times. Thalia consented to her joining the Hunt before her passing. I beg you to allow her this privilege."

Artemis nodded, tears in her eyes. "If that was Thalia's wish, I say it should be so. Juno, I stand with Hades and Hestia. The girl should be rewarded for her bravery."

Juno glanced at Zeus. "What do I care?" Zeus grumbled.

Cho ran eagerly to Artemis's throne and knelt. "It's an honor to meet you, my lady," she said. "What's the oath I have to take?"

"Not so fast," Artemis said with a chuckle. "Hecate, this girl is your follower and thus under your jurisdiction. Will you allow this?"

Hecate was standing by Merlin's side again with her hand in his. She looked happier than Nico had ever seen before. "Of course, Artemis."

"My lady?" Ianthe stepped forward. "Roszí, I, and our sisters discussed it, and we think that Cho should be our new first lieutenant. She's a powerful follower of Hecate, and, surviving what she has all by herself… she reminds us of Thalia."

Cho gasped. "But, Roszí, I thought you were Thalia's second-in-command?"

Roszí smiled. "I am, as I shall be yours. But I hath never wanted that particular honor; I daresay I would be too proud for such a position."

"I respect your judgement, Roszí," Artemis said. "Cho, this is yours if you want it."

Cho glanced back at Nico. Though he'd only known her a few hours, there was a bond between them, an understanding of sorts. He mouthed 'do it.' He never thought he'd guide a friend to join the Hunt, but if Thalia had taught him anything, it was that there was more than one side to that particular story.

With Roszí guiding her, Cho took the oath, "I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt."

Artemis smiled. "I accept your oath. Remember your pledge, it is now your life."

"Zeus, Juno, if I may?" Merlin asked. Zeus said nothing, so Juno motioned him forward.

"Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger?" he called out. They stepped forward. "You have served Hecate and I well. For that, you shall be rewarded. I will grant you one wish, if it is within my power, you shall have it."

Ron and Hermione whispered to each other. "You can't bring Harry back, can you?" Ron asked hopefully.

Of course, Merlin shook his head no.

"Then… we wish that the Wizarding World will remember him as a hero, not a liar. They'll know the truth about what he did, how he saved the world. His sacrifice will remind the Wizarding World how we have to protect our freedom and peace. His life will mean something."

Merlin nodded. "It is done. We shall rebuild the Wizarding World together into a better one, one to rival the golden age of my rule."

Hestia stood from her place by the fire. "Might I also reward my champions?" she asked. Juno nodded. "Cho Chang, step forward," Hestia said.

Cho nervously left Artemis's side to stand in front of Hestia.

"Cho, you gave your life for me, the one who reminded you of all you lost. You sacrificed your happiness for the sake of the world, and saved it in the process. Despite your sufferings, you've remained kind and true. For this, I bless you. Never again will you see a loved one die. You will lead the Hunters of Artemis into a golden age that will last as long as you are alive. Your family will live under my protection for the rest of their days. And, I promise you will see them again one day."

Cho laughed, crying tears of joy. "Vesta, thank you."

Hestia took her hand. "No, Cho, thank you." Then, she turned to Nico. With sparkling eyes, she said, "I must admit, you've always surprised me."

"Surprised you?" Nico asked.

Hestia smiled. "Yes. And puzzled me. Of all the people to greet me at camp, to seek out my advice and company, why you?"

Nico shrugged. "I dunno. You've always listened to me."

Hestia looked amused. "Yes, but you have many friends to listen to you now. Why do you entertain the goddess of family when, for so long, you've had none? You've never had a happy family or a true home, you've lived as a wanderer for so long, and yet you're kind to me, the goddess of everything you never had. Why?"

"I- I don't know. I never thought of it like that."

"Would you call yourself my friend, Nico?"

"Umm… is this a test?"

Hestia laughed. "Oh, you've already passed that." She walked over to him and held out her hand. "You forgot something, by the way." She opened her palm. Bianca's ring.

"That temple… it was yours?" Nico asked.

Hestia nodded. "In ancient Rome, there were priestesses known as the Vestal Virgins. They lived in a complex much like the one you saw, though much bigger. They maintained a sacred fire for me and offered refuge to the people of Rome. There has not been a Vestal Virgin in a long time. Nico… I offer you the chance to help me keep the fire going."

Nico was stunned. All he could say was, "But… I'm… I'm not a virgin." Will elbowed him in the arm. "Ow! Well, I'm not!"

Hestia laughed again. "You aren't a woman either, Nico. That's all arbitrary. As my chosen hero, my anointed champion, all I ask is that you give a home to the homeless. You make each stranger your friend. I will give you the tools to do what you've always wanted: to give the sun to those who are having a rainy day."

Nico remembered the conversation he'd had with Rachel in her cave. It looked like he'd actually be able to do it. "I will, Hestia." Then, he turned to Hades. "If my father allows me to."

Hades raised his eyebrows. Nico knew it took him a lot of effort to stay composed when his son had just officially accepted him back into his life, but now they both knew why keeping their relationship so formal was important.

"I do, Hestia, as long as you allow me to see him from time to time."

"I will not take his freedom," Hestia promised. "Nico, you will be in my protection for as long as you live. I grant you my sacred blessing: for as long as you serve me, you shall know family, happiness, and be safe around your hearth."

Nico couldn't believe it. Family, happiness, and safety. The three things Nico thought he'd lost with Bianca. Now, he'd have them forever. "I could ask for no greater gift," Nico managed. He didn't even notice how badly his voice was cracking.

The day flew by after that. Nico decided to stay at Camp Half-Blood while his parents searched for a new apartment. Percy and Annabeth announced they'd be having their wedding the next day, January 2nd, the final day before he'd return to junior year at Goode. "We always wanted a small wedding," Percy explained. "And, after all that, I think we all need a break."

As the hours ticked by, Nico couldn't help but reflect. He was free now, truly free, and there was something a part of him had always wanted to do.

So, he decided to do it.

Come on, Nico. It's now or never.

Nico stood outside the door for an hour at least, trying to work up the courage to knock.

You know what? He's probably not here, or maybe he's asleep, it is pretty late after all, I mean-

"Can I help you?"

Nico jumped, turning around in the process. "Uhh… hiiiiii…?"

"...Nico?" Matt studied him closely. His eyes widened. "Oh my god, it is you! What- I mean, how…?"

"How do you know it's me?" Nico countered with a sly smile. "I mean, we were ten when Papà pulled me out."

"You've still got that… face." Matt laughed. He pulled Nico into a man-hug, complete with slaps on the back. "How are you, man? I haven't heard from you in years!"

"I know, I'm sorry. Thing's got… crazy. It's a long story."

Matt smirked. "Isn't it always? I've got time."

Nico grinned back. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

It took a long time for Nico to explain everything that had happened since Westover Hall. It was the first time in his life he'd recounted all his demigod "adventures" in one go. His former roommate sat there, taking it all in without a question. Nico was surprised but grateful that he didn't call him a liar or crazy and kick him out.

"I don't know why I believe you, but I do," Matt said when Nico was finished. "There's times I see things I can't explain. I always thought it was a trick of the light, but could it be the gods?"

"Maybe," Nico said. "You might be able to see through the Mist. I'd give you a taste of my power to test that theory out, but I don't think you want spartae in your bedroom."

"Uhh… no," Matt agreed. "So, why did you come back, then, after all this time?"

Nico smiled. "A little favor to myself, actually."

"Which is?"

"You know you were my first crush, right?"

Matt threw his head back as he laughed. "That's the best thing I've ever heard. That's adorable."

"Don't be patronizing," Nico teased, elbowing him. "I just thought you were hot, I wasn't in love with you."

Matt wagged his eyebrows, and Nico lost it too.

"So, Mr. Son-of-Hades, what fanservice can I offer you?"

Nico stopped laughing long enough to choke out, "my brother's getting married tomorrow? Be my date?"

"Won't Will get jealous?"

Nico rolled his eyes. "Yeah, of course, idiot. Why do you think I'm bringing you?"

Nico crashed on Matt's floor that night, then the two of them shadow-traveled to New Rome for the ceremony. Annabeth was beautiful, Percy was crying, and Grover looked incredibly uncomfortable in his best man suit. Percy had asked Nico to fill that particular role, of course, but there was no way Nico would wear anything that formal. He was perfectly happy in jeans and a t-shirt, thank you very much.

He danced the whole night with Hazel, Will, Matt, Percy, Annabeth, Reyna, Jason, Blaise, Hestia, and all his other friends. It felt amazing to sit down and relax after the last ten days of absolute mayhem. He made sure to get I Hope You Dance on the stereo as a tribute to Bianca. He knew she'd be just as happy as he was to see Percy get his happily ever after.

Around midnight, when the party was winding down, Nico took a break to wander the camp and be by himself. The night was beautiful, full of stars. He settled on a stone bench near the Field of Mars and looked up to see his favorite constellation: the Huntress running across the sky with her bow drawn. He knew it was meant to be Zoë Nightshade, but he saw no one but Bianca.

"I see her too, you know."

Nico turned. Hades was sitting next to him, staring up at the same constellation.

"Papà."

Hades smiled. "I always liked it when you called me that. Father's too formal for the boy I raised."

Nico glanced around warily. No one was there, but someone could show up at any moment. "You shouldn't say that. If Zeus ever found out-"

"I'm well aware of that, Nico."

Nico shifted anxiously on the bench. "Why are you even here, Papà? I thought the whole point is you don't want to draw attention."

Hades scoffed. "Draw attention? Poseidon and Athena are around, Artemis is here with her Hunters… if it's an Olympian reunion, why can't I join in the fun?"

Nico couldn't help but laugh. But, that laugh quickly turned emotional as the last few weeks' events hit him. Tears built up in his eyes. "Papà… I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I never realized everything you'd done for me, if I had…"

Hades shook his head. "No, Nico, there were mistakes on both sides. I should've realized you never forgot who you were, that the Lethe hadn't completed its job. I should've known you were still the same boy I raised." He ruffled Nico's hair, something he hadn't done in, well, technically, decades. "You'll always have a home with me, I want you to know that. I know you'll be busy now with mortal school and Hestia's patronage, but know that, for you, I'll always be there."

Nico nodded. "I'll still have time for you, if you need me to run some errands. Just… don't expect it, okay? I'm doing you favors because I want to, not because I have to."

"Understood." Hades looked back up at the stars. They sat there comfortably for a few moments. "What will you do now, as Hestia's Vestal Virgin?" he asked.

"Vestal Not-Virgin," Nico reminded him.

Hades laughed. "Yes, of course."

"I'm going to go back to Italy and getting the family land back," he said. "It's the government's property right now, but they're not using it, at least not from the documents I dug up. I can claim to be the first Nico di Angelo's grandson or something and they'll have to give it back. I'll build a community center, I think, a place for troubled kids to go. Kind of like what the camps did for me. After that… I don't know." Nico slid closer to his father and rested his head on his shoulder. Fatigue started to set in; when was the last time he'd properly slept? Not since Christmas, at least. "What's going to happen to Alabaster?"

"He's with Hecate and Merlin, recovering from his wounds," Hades said. "I suspect they'll lay low for a while, keep him in the Wizarding World to help with repairs. But he'll be back at Camp Jupiter soon, Nico, I promise you that. The Council has better things to worry about than a kid who's no longer a threat. You'll see him again soon." Nico laughed with relief. After Alabaster hadn't come to Percy's wedding, he was afraid he'd lost his best friend forever. "I suspect Hecate intends to make him immortal, too."

Nico raised his eyebrows. "Really?"

"The way she cares for him? Yes, I do."

"How do you know?"

Hades looked down at Nico, who was still snuggled against his father. But, even half asleep, Nico understood the meaning behind such a look. "Papà? Do you want to make me immortal?"

Hades wrapped his arms around Nico in a very not-Hades was. "I want whatever you want, Nico."

In his tired daze, Nico remembered an old promise he'd made. He started to giggle. "Papà?" he said again.

"Yes?"

"Can we watch Disney's Hercules? Will made me promise I'd ask. You're a character in it. They made you the villain instead of Hera. It's pretty funny."

Hades sighed. "Why does that not surprise me? I'll clean your room, we can watch it together, the next time you stay over."

"Papà?" His voice was weak with exhaustion now.

"What is it, Nico?"

"Do you… do you love me?"

Hades kissed Nico on the top of the head. "I do, Nico. I love you as much as I have ever loved anyone."

Nico's eyes closed all the way. Despite the cold, he felt warm in his father's arms. For the first time in his life, he felt truly safe.

"Sleep now, my son. Tomorrow, you will conquer the world."

Then, Nico di Angelo fell asleep in his father's arms for the first time in ninety years.

END NOTES

It's over guys. It's really over. It's the end of an era. Thank you so much for taking a chance on me! I'm super fatigued for writing such a long chapter, so I'll release my little letter to you guys as the final chapter next week (and yes it will actually be next week sorry for such a long delay. I swear I shall explain there.)

Please subscribe to my profile if you haven't already, and go take a look at Shoot an Arrow Though His Heart, my most recent fic. I'm also coming out with a brand new fic in the next few weeks, so stay tune!

I'll answer all comments, etc. in the letters chapter.