Tear Down the Wall

(Bonus chapie!)

. . . . .

The war just ended. Literally. Well it had ended a few hours ago and was led to an epic conclusion, leaving not only demigods but also gods and nature spirits alike, drained physically and emotionally and sadly they lost a lot people. But those heroes died not in vain, and their legacy shall be remembered as long as there are lips to pass on the story of the second-great war, but it sure doesn't make it easy to accept the loss. Nico himself has dealt a great deal of loss in his life; there's his mom then his sister, and being a child of Hades has condemned him to be made aware of people's demise. It's sad, but he's trying to get used to it, it doesn't make it any less depressing though.

The young Italian half-blood felt a large sigh of relief escape his lips only to be replaced by a large lump in his throat. They're alive and it's something he never planned or anticipated to happen, unlike his fellow demigods who were a step ahead of him-he doesn't know where to go from there and he doesn't have anyone to be reunited with. Honestly he doesn't know if he's excited or even ready to delve his self back in the underworld; his sister Bianca isn't there anymore… who was he kidding, he doesn't even know if he's still welcome there anyway. He could return to either of the two camps-he does have a place to stay there, maybe he can go to Camp Jupiter; he seemed to be more welcomed there and soon maybe go to College or something, as far as he can remember, they have a sort-of community college there and at least Hazel's there and he's became a sort-of friend to Reyna and she's there too-wallowing in loneliness like him. He'll just have to endure watching his sister have goo-goo eyes with that son of Ares-ahem!-Mars, but at lest he'll have someone. Maybe he can even play the protective brother role. Just live a normal life for once… well as normal as a demigod can.

But who was there to fool? Deep down he knows, he knows that it's not really Hazel or Reyna or anyone in Roman camp he'd rather be with. And as much as he hates it, Camp Half-Blood is still different, it's the first home he had after Bianca and his mom and it's the last witness to his childlike eccentricities. Besides, his cousins are there, Hestia is there, his stupid Greek kin are there! And you gotta admit, his Cabin there is waaaayyy cooler, with skeletons and greek fire and all! Maybe it's time to do a little dusting in his good ol' bat cave…

Living in a world of beings believed to be myths, you gotta learn to cope and expect for the most unlikely things to happen, still he doesn't think that any amount of coping can get them through their situation easily. After all a lot has changed for them, in bits of details in their life and in a grander scheme. For one; everyone had a brush with death; it would be a while before demigods would stop looking at their backs, trying to see if something will attack them. Then there will be recurring dreams… no; nightmares of recent events, Nico had been suffering from them since the beginning-reason why he's not so friendly with sleep. Then there's the want to lie low and probably live on the mortal side to be with their mortal families or at least with their siblings at camp.

And then since most of them had a light touch of death, expect rash decisions everywhere, best example; one of those Hermes kid who went down on his knee for that Demeter girl-but its obviously just him asking her to be his girlfriend, not really a marriage proposal-Hera! They're too young for that. Reason why someone would want to live their eternity with a child of his step-grandma or was she his aunt? This is a one screwed up family. Anyway, any reason why someone would want to be coupled with the spawn of overly-maternal-to-the-point-of-paranoid crazy cereal lady? He'll never know, nor did he want to.

Let's not also forget those newly developed couples who will… of course… spend most of their waking hours glued to the hip with their 'the one'. Then there's also the deal with the gods and whatnot. The reestablishment of the camps and their defenses, the new prophecy-if Rachel would start spewing green fog again. Pitch in the pile the fact that they have to do something to nurture the mending relationship of the camps, so worst comes to worst, they'd have an alley to back them up. Add in the issue of leadership, most especially in Camp Jupiter. Would Octavy succeed in preatorship? We'll find out soon enough! So stay tuned for more updates. Ahem!

And then as a cherry on top, let's probe on minimal matters like Jason-Piper-Reyna mess, the Caleo issue. Rachel and Octavian? Wow he didn't expect that. Percy and Annabeth. Oh! Speaking of Percy, let's not overlook the fact that everyone was made aware of his little infatuation for his cousin-a secret he desperately tried to conceal only to be blown away by that sadistic god of love-people would think him a freak even more. Gods… when would his life be made easier? Can't the fates give him a break? Apparently not…

Nico was cut off with his mulling by a snapping of a twig behind his spot on one of the well secluded ruins, it has been a good hiding spot not only during the war but it also served as an escape once all the theatrics ended. This particular spot was well obstructed to less perceptive eyes by trees and vines, most nearly dying as well, but it gave away an amazing view of the usually beautiful city-only now its not so well built beautiful anymore, but its still scenic in a different sense.

Normal people will think: oh just a twig being crushed by the weight of a foot, be it a human, cat, dog or turtle… Poor twig! Paranoid people be: Stalker! Murderer? Maybe. Noisy ninja! But since he's a demigod, it's never just a random walk on a twig or a stalker. No! So when he whipped his head to face the intruder of his serious moment, his stygian iron was ready in his hand. Only he was met by those amazing electric blue eyes, which really electrocuted him since the tip of his blade managed to graze her skin. "Chill di Angelo!" oh it's just one of his crazy cousins. The young Hades kid sheathed his sword, then ignored her. "Is this spot taken?" the dark-haired beauty asked, clearly brushing off his lack of interest with her, but sat beside him anyway. "Sooo Nico." She started, trying to get the technically younger but-not-really cousin's attention on her. "What's up?"

Nico turned to her, plastering an irritated mask on his face. "You sure are determined to have this small talk." He deadpanned. "With me."

Thalia flashed him an equally irritated face before answering. "Hey I'm just being nice here! And yes, as foul as you can be, I'd rather have a chat with you deathbreath than witness the long-lasting lip lock between seaweed brain and Annie there." She recited without even breaking for a breath whilst she pointed at the ruined city where surely, the two aforementioned demigods are doing exactly as said with no inhibition.

The younger boy tensed, it was not unnoticed by the female; wrong thing to say. Nonetheless, Nico was able to gather his composure and reply coolly "Don't you have a bunch of little girls to gather around or something?"

"The hunters are capable of handling their selves thank you very much, and they're actually helping in healing or transferring the remains or something like that right now." Thalia stated defensively.

"Why aren't you there helping them then?" the younger boy threw back with a smirk, earning him an annoyed look from his companion.

"They said 'Never mind Thalia, you'd do more damage than help anyway.'" She replied in what he'd only guess as her best 'Phoebe's mock voice', this elicited a few chuckles from him. "Honestly, they speak like I'm not their lieutenant." She huffed. "What about you, don't you have souls to collect or something?"

"You and I both know that's not in my job description, but in Thanatos'"

She nodded, then silence fell on them, only to be broken by her again. "Soooo." That dragging on her words made his eye twitch. Honestly, it's driving him nuts. "I heard about the ordeal with Percy." The lieutenant softly spoke. Now that's a topic he doesn't want to discuss. But knowing Thalia, they would anyway and that sympathetic lace in her voice left him drawn in.

"What about it?" was his defensive reply.

"Is it true?"

Nico stared at her, a dark brow raised before he nodded whilst he unconsciously fiddled with the hem of his overly worn shirt. The boy let out a deep breath before he turned to his cousin once again, who was timidly picking nonexistent splinters off her jeans. He spoke with a voice that of a defeated man; weary, beaten and pleading-tired with pleasing and explaining to deaf ears. "Look, if you're here just to make sure that I won't break off Percy and Annabeth, then you can walk away with an assurance that I won't even dare come between them. I already have a restraining order from the gods." He teasingly added with a small sad smile on his lips and a faraway look on his eyes.

"Seriously?" Zeus' kid all but screamed, eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, obviously not detecting the broken humor in his voice or just chose to ignore it. After all, this is Nico, the kid who has a twisted sense of humor.

"Of course I'm kidding." And Thalia breathed a sigh of relief. "But seriously though, why are you here Thalia? With my company that is." Nico probed on, thoroughly curious.

Now it was the older girl's turn to be clouded with uncertainty, but she quickly brushed it aside. "I…ah… I'm actually here to make sure you're alright." Was her feeble answer, then debated whether or not to continue, but did so anyway. "Percy asked me to do so." The boy just nodded dumbly. "You know he really does care, just not the way you want him to." Was the girl's poor attempt of consoling, only this statement unconsciously earned a low growl from the teenage boy's throat. "But don't take it like I'm not worried at all, because I really am."

Nico was growing more and more frustrated and impatient by the second, he doesn't like pity-he doesn't need people feeling sorry for him, specially if he knows they need the kindness more than he does. Everyone is facing their own monster, some just happens to have them smaller in size but more cruel or big and less menacing-but they're monsters all the same. It just so happens that his was big and cruel at the same time. So after the stressful event, and people treating him like a kicked puppy or Hades on a bad day incarnate, he's pretty sure an outburst was in order. "Why does everyone assumes that this ordeal with him greatly affects me so? I mean he himself didn't take it seriously, so why does everyone thinks it's their responsibility to fuss over it?" And an outburst did he have.

"Whoa, whoa! Outburst aren't necessary. I'm not judging you kid. Besides, I didn't even know you swing that way." Thalia playfully stated complete with mirth in her eyes, giving emphasis in 'swing' and earning her an annoyed grunt from her companion. "But hey who am I to say I know you? I only see you a handful of times a year. I'm lucky enough to cross paths with you. It's just a shame really." Another more annoyed grunt from the Hades incarnate. "I mean you'd probably tie with Percy or Jason as a ladies' killer. Heck! even with gay status, you'd still be considered as one of the most eligible bachelor around." The dark-haired tease continued, paying no heed on the deathly aura emanating from Nico and the cracking of the ground-a telltale sign of skeletons being summoned by their lord. "And that piercing dark eyes you have." This time Nico was caught off guard with the statement that he managed to be considerably calm that he was able to follow Thalia's words. "I mean you have the assets and all, and your mysterious persona is a plus." The Artemis lieutenant continued babbling that she failed to notice the growing genuine yet incredulous smile from the Hades kid. "Then your magical powers over the dead is simply impressive. Not to mention that wild aura going on you after the war, feral really-" Thalia was only cut off by an uncharacteristic light chuckles from the dark-haired boy, it sounded so blithe and beautiful like ringing bells on Christmas morning. It almost, almost tugged the sides of Thalia's lips upward, but instead, she chose to play her characteristic shrew card. "What's so funny?"

"Are you sure the female population thinks that way or it's just your twisted way of saying you're attracted to me?" the smirking young lad queried off-handedly, ego stepping up a notch. "What happened to the 'Oh! I hate boys' oath?" he finished with the best girlish voice he could muster.

The child of Zeus huffed indignantly, but she got to admit, this frisky sight of Hades' son is more appealing than his usual gloomy one. "Oh please, don't be so full of yourself. You're not that attractive."

"Your statements earlier begs to differ." Nico retorted smilingly, Thalia only rolled her eyes.

"Besides, you're not my type." Thalia insisted, however making Nico's smile only grow.

"Oh so you have a type?" he raised an eyebrow at her and it was the last straw. She snapped…

"Would you wipe off that pathetic smirk that looks so inviting on your face or heaven forbid I will, in ways you wouldn't dare know! So what if I had a crush on you? It was fleeting and insignificant and trivial … and … and I don't even know if it's still there anymore. And you're gay! You're probably more narcissistic than Narssisus and I won't be surprised if one day you'd declare your love for that beautiful face." she pointed at his face which was currently sporting a surprised look. "Gods! I didn't even join the hunt because I condemn the male specie! Nor did I join because I worship the very soil our mistress walks on. Artemis knows she just saved me from that unfortunate fate laid by the prophecy. And she knows how rebellious I can be!" By the end of her speech, Thalia was breathless and flushed while Nico had the decency to look flabbergasted. Really, how would you react if you found out that your long time ex-crush bears the same sentiments as you did? He felt something stir back to life in his chest, could it be? But no! He likes… no… loves Percy. So why did he chase her wrist when she was about to walk away from him? "I'm not gay." Yeeeppp … he's doomed. Again.

"What?"

"Who gave you the idea that I'm gay?" He breathlessly asked as turned to her, his eyes staring intently on her own electric pools. She tried to pull her hands from his grasp only to have them tighten, lanky he may seem, Nico can be quite strong and forceful when he wants to.

"Your attraction to males is a dead give away, and of course your lack of attraction to females couldn't be gone unnoticed." She quirked an eyebrow at him, answering in a tone like it's the most obvious and blunt thing in the face of Gaea. Nico suppressed his desire to rub his temples to soothe his ever-growing headache, instead he pulled her back to his side without letting go of her hand. Thalia began to protest but she was silenced by a glare directed at her.

"Listen Thalia-"

"Do I have a choice?" glare.

"Percy is just a one time thing." Gasp! "What I meant is, he's the only guy I've ever felt affection with. Given certain reasons, it would sound plausible even to you. I don't get attracted nor fall for random guys who would simply walk in front of me. And just because it has never been known that I'm attracted to girls, means that I'm not. Not all of us are given the privilege to wear our hearts on our sleeves. In fact Thalia, I used to have a thing for you." Nico stared at those shocked blue eyes, willing them to see the truth and sincerity behind his own. Oh the look on her face was comical though, slightly killing the mood if he say so himself, her jaw was slack, eyes popping out. Nico let a few chuckles escape his lips, because a guy doesn't giggle, he slightly raised his jovial voice, confidence brimming, a wide smile in place on his face, eyes filled with joy. "Yes Thalia Grace! I have a thing for you. I had a crush on you, and I like you. I won't say why because I can think of a million reasons why we can't be together and have no reason to be with you, yet I still want to. I really, really want to." Then in a flash, he was behind her ear, whispering seductively. "You still think I'm a gay?"

Snapping out of her trance, she turned her head to him, flashing a cheeky smile of her own. "Is this the part where we kiss?"

The young Italian chuckled for the umpteenth time before he gave her a thoughtful look then replied. "Nah! It's a bit too early for that. Wanna grab some ice cream?"

Thalia quickly grabbed his hand and dragged him away. "Sure!"

A few bowls of ice cream, a couple of spilled milkshakes and tons of tissues later…

"Hey Thals, what happens to you now?" The aforementioned girl looked up from her bowl with a questioning look on her face. "I mean, hunters don't get to date right? What if I want to take you out? Your 'sisters' will surely skin me alive."

"Yes Thalia." Both teens were startled by the all too familiar voice of her mistress who was casually passing by their table, escorted by her ever obnoxious brother, eyes on the menu pondering over triple chocolate banana split or strawberry cheesecake-but of course Thalia knew better. "We can't have this young gentleman around our camp. That simply wouldn't do."

"Hey Hades spawn!" the cheerful sun-god chirped as he unceremoniously messed the dark kid's already messy hair, earning him three annoyed glare, then he began to dramatically flail his arm around. "Good job on saving the fate of this beauty from being condemned to eternal boredom and deprivation of male contact."

"Cut the theatrics brother!" Artemis annoyedly stated at her twin before turning to her soon-to be ex-lieutenant. "The decision's still up to you Thalia, but don't let your responsibility to me weigh your decision for your true happiness." And with that the pair walked away, well it was more of Artemis dragging her twin as she tried to decide between an additional scoop or two.

The couple took their time to scan their surroundings for the first time, too embarrassed to let their eyes linger on each other after being caught-well they surely weren't alone like they originally thought they were. Well at least being seen together, will somehow clear up Nico's name. Since when did the whole Olympus arrive here? Oh gods, her dad was glaring daggers at them from his seat, his poor, poor cone melting and disintegrating in his hand. And is that her uncle Hades sitting next to the twins looking as cool as his sundae, giving approving looks at his son? What has the world come to? Thalia continued to roam her eyes around, well it seems like everyone is up and about their own business. "I'm quitting the hunt." was her simple answer to his prior question.

"What?"

"I'm quitting the hunt. I had enough adventure to last for a lifetime. I don't want to spend eternity chasing dogs and such, I want to live normally… well as normal as a demigod can get." Nico stared at the girl in front of him like she grew an new pair of head or something, and Thalia was beginning to get uncomfortable under his scrutinizing eyes, but when he broke into a huge childlike grin, she knew. She knew that all's well for now and they have a chance.

"Is this the part where I'd pick you up at seven tonight?" the half-Italian cheekily asked, which resulted a series of laughter from his companion.

Recovering from her fit, she stared intently at him before answering. "No Nico, it's still a bit early for that. But a few flowers and chocolates delivered at my doorstep will suffice."

So hello to you all! I know it's been years since I uploaded this supposed one-shot. However, thanks to the last review that left me thinking-yeah there's no Thalia in this story, I decided to write something sort of a sequel. And also as a thanks for all who reviewed and added this to their favorite-I was shocked by the amount of people who did so! And a couple of people did add this story to their follows. This will probably be my last Thalico fic for a while. I'm sad to say that I stopped reading them for a while T-T that and I lost the inspiration for them. I'm actually into Leyna right now, in terms of PJO and HOO. Any Leyna shippers out there?

Anyyywaaaayyyy … thanks for reading once again. Thoughts, questions, suggestions and criticisms are welcomed and highly encouraged. I apologize for any errors, I haven't thoroughly proof read this, I got so excited. So reviews anyone?

Good day/night!