+ A lover's ears may be deaf, and eyes be blind, but the heart will always beat, and will influence the mind +

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Nico di Angelo had gone blind in the midst of the war. Percy had been the one to save his life. The young boy, who couldn't see a thing and who's hearing was fading fast, stumbled through the battle ground, tripping and falling repeatedly. Percy could see him out of the corner of his eye. The boy seemingly locked eyes with Percy, yet Percy didn't know Nico couldn't see him.

"Percy, help!" Nico called out, touching the ground all around him. "Annabeth, Jason, somebody, help!" he sounded like a child as he reached around, swiping his fingers across the ground.

Percy jabbed at the monster, slaying the beast, before running to Nico. He grabbed the younger boy's hand, causing him to jump back in fear. "Please don't kill me!" The boy cried. But he uncovered his face, reaching around again. He found Percy's hand, slowly rubbing over the callouses and burn marks. He looked around, whispering, "Percy?"

"Yes, Nico. It's me, Percy. I'm gonna get you out of here." Percy lifted the boy's small frame onto his shoulders, sprinting through the battlefield. He weaved around the Hunters and the other campers. He had finally made it into an untouched piece of New Rome, where Reyna stood with Annabeth seemingly spewing out battle tactics. The locked eyes with the son of the sea god and rushed to his aid.

"Is Nico okay?" Annabeth asked, now helping Percy carry him. Percy shook his head, continuing to walk towards an unbroken building.

"He's blind, and seemingly deaf." Percy sighed. "I don't know if it's temporary or not, I just now that he was crawling on the battle ground and screaming for help. Had I not seen him, there would probably be nothing left of Nico di Angelo."

"I have a few Apollo kids here to help. He'll be fine, Perce." Annabeth reassured me, pushing my shoulder lightly. "Now go beat a Giant for me, will you?"

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One Year Later

Nico had been permanently blinded by a Giant in the war nearly one year ago. He was unable to see, which made his hearing questionable, as he gained some of it back, and he rarely talked to anyone but the boy with the familiar hands. He couldn't see it, but he could always feel young Percy Jackson's presence. He came to visit Nico everyday, and sometimes brought a guest along, the most popular guest were Lord Hades and Poseidon.

Hades was attempting to teach Nico to use the shadows to see for him. It was like how mortals use a dog, he would have a shadow. But this shadow could enter Nico's mind and show him what it (the shadow) was seeing. Nico was having a tough time with it, because if you weren't very skilled it would drain a lot of your energy.

Poseidon was showing Nico a bit of palm writing. It was the first way Percy had tried to use to contact him when Nico was first blind and, at that time, deaf. Percy would write a letter on his hand, and Nico would nod if he knew what letter it was. That isn't real palm writing, but at least Percy tried, unlike Hazel or Leo. But sometimes, both Poseidon and Nico would get bored and they would go out to the lake behind the Poseidon cabin and just mess with the water. Nico always loved this. It was a lot of fun and slightly relaxing just to feel the water flow between your fingers and down your arm. Percy typically stood back and smiled at the younger boy's fascination with water and how it easily calmed him.

It was awkward when both Gods attempted to visit the child at the same time, but eventually they would get over it and all four males (Percy, Nico, Hades, and Poseidon) would end up having a laugh before the two Gods departed.

Nico and Percy tend to stay in whatever cabin they were in when the Gods left for the next few hours. Nico would write soothing messages to Percy on his palm, and Percy, well, cried. He would admit things to Nico and Nico would just listen. The war had been a tough time for him, for he had lost a lot more than most other demigods did. Annabeth had died when a Giant had blown up the hospital-like room she was in just a few hours after Percy had given Nico to her and Reyna. Luckily, Nico was in a room three buildings over, but Reyna and Annabeth had not been so lucky. Annabeth had been inside the room while Reyna was in a room two doors down in the same building. Annabeth had been confirmed dead at the scene, while Reyna is still in a coma to this day.

But today was different. Nico and Percy sat together in the Poseidon cabin, for Lord Hades had left a few minutes ago. Nico rested his head on Percy's lap while Percy fiddled with his hair. Nico reached up hesitantly, searching for Percy's hand. Percy didn't oblige, passing the younger boy his hand. Nico took a minute to feel the boy's damage palms before writing a message.

'Percy, I have something to confess.' Nico wrote, shaking slightly.

"What is it Neeks?" Percy asked, placing his other hand on Nico's shoulder soothingly.

'I don't know exactly how to write it in palm, so I need some water.' Percy's eyes widened.

"Do you mean in a glass? To drink?" He asked. Nico nodded, causing Percy to immediately reach for the glass on his bedside table and conjure up some water. Nico slowly sipped down the water before writing on Percy's palm.

'Ambrosia and/or Nectar?'

Percy had a secret stash of Ambrosia and Nectar just for Nico. He pulled out a small square of Ambrosia and a shot glass of Nectar, passing them over to Nico. He ate them just as slow as he drank the water.

Nico smiled. "Thank you, Percy." He said, his voice thin and raspy. Percy grinned, pulling Nico into a huge hug.

"You have no idea how long I have been dying to hear that voice." Percy said, nuzzling his head into Nico's neck. "Sing for me, please."

Nico smiled, thinking of the last song he sang before he went blind. It was called Amnesia by an Australian band called Five Seconds of Summer.

"I remember the day you told me you were leaving,

I remember the make up running down your face.

And the dreams you left behind, you didn't need them.

Like every single wish we ever made.

I wish that I could wake up with Amnesia,

and forget about the stupid little things.

Like the way it felt to fall asleep next to you,

and the memories I never can escape,

cause I'm not fine at all."

Even though his voice cracked throughout the song, Percy thought it was beautiful. Nico's voice was thin and scratchy, but Percy loved it. He loved to hear his Nico talk again.

Percy always felt so attached to Nico, so protective of him. He couldn't explain it, but he always assumed they were just a school-age crush on the younger boy. Well, that lasted until one night a few months ago, Percy nearly kissed Nico. Now, he did kinda like the Son of Hades. Sure, he wouldn't ever admit it, but he did. He wanted to get over it as soon as possible, but that wasn't working out as he hoped. It was the reason he no longer spent time with Nico when Poseidon was around; he was afraid his father would be ashamed that his son was feeling this way.

Things were different when Hades was around. Hades had confronted Percy a few days after the near-kissing incident, and he confessed everything to Hades. He grumbled something about owing Athena drachmas before giving his blessing and walking towards his cabin.

"Percy." Nico whispered, releasing him. Percy pulled back, noticing Nico had entwined their hands. "I have something to confess."

"And I have something to confess, too, Neeks." Percy winced, fearing Nico's reaction. "But you first..."

Nico felt the entwined fingers and how they fit. How his cold skin and Percy's warmth felt perfect at contact. How Percy didn't oblige when Nico wanted to hold his hand, and how oddly Percy had something to confess, too.

"I think I love you, Percy." Nico said, awaiting the fish boy's reaction. He didn't hear any sounds of disgust and Percy's hand didn't leave his. But he felt Percy's warm breath near his ear. He was so close, and Nico could feel it. Percy wasn't disgusted, his aura seemed to be happy.

"I think I love you, too, Neeks." Percy whispered. Percy kissed the younger boy on the cheek, when suddenly, a huge flash of light came in front of the pair, nearly blinding Percy.

"Finally!" A voice shrieked. This voice was only familiar to Nico, for it was the last thing he heard before he went temporarily deaf and permanently blind. "I told you, di Angelo! There was nothing to doubt. A lover's ears may be deaf, and eyes be blind, but the heart will always beat, and influence the mind." Nico could tell who it was, it was a woman that appeared to him with raven hair and sea green eyes. He couldn't exactly put a finger on who it was, but he could tell she was important. "Now, I am to return your sight, so you may see once more. So now you can see what you have fallen for."

Nico blinked, now receiving blurry images of the things in the Poseidon cabin. He could see, but not very well. His vision was always horrible. "Percy," he said. "Could you got get me glasses from my cabin, I-I can't see very well."

Percy sat up slowly, staring at Nico. "Does that mean you'll be able to see me?" He whispered, his voice gone up an octave. Nico nodded, causing Percy to jump up and sprint to the Hades cabin. He grabbed the glasses case off the night stand and the contacts holder beside it.

The woman still stood in the room, seemingly smirking at the Child of Death. "He seems so excited for you to see him again." Nico just nodded, looking down at the ground. "It just makes me wonder why you treated him so poorly all these years. Was it Bianca? Was it the fact that he was straight? Was it because he let go? Or was it you? Were you the thing that separated you and Percy? Or was it-"

The door swung open to an angry Poseidon and a flaming Hades, a cowering Percy behind them. "Don't even think about it, Aphrodite." Poseidon growled.

"Don't touch my son.' Hades said. "Otherwise you will feel two-hundred times the pain he felt, not only in Tartarus but in the Giant war. You will burn in the Heavenly Fire of the Underworld!" Hades erupted into flames. Percy splashed water at him, and with a curt not, Hades glared at Aphrodite.

"Wait, you're Aphrodite?" Nico asked. Percy threw him his glasses case. Nico slipped on his nerdy frames. "So you mean to tell me, that the Goddess of Love and Beauty decided to take away my vision because I couldn't confess the fact that I had been in love with a boy since I was ten? Will you just go back to your pretty pink palace and write your stupid little fan fictions?" Nico was seething. His skin had gone dark and his eyes were glowing red, he was levitating above the spot where he stood. "Otherwise, you'll have to deal with me."

Shadows launched at the Goddess, ripping her seemingly raven hair out and clawing at her sea green eyes. But, now she appeared to have blonde hair and violet eyes and looked like a Goddess typically would; hair done up, facial structure perfect. But she was being torn to sheds and Nico cackled in delight. He snapped his fingers and both Aphrodite and the shadows disappeared.

The other three males stared at Nico, who's skin was now glowing as he landed on the ground. He looked a lot more masculine, you could no longer see his bones, but he was still thin. His hair swept out of his eyes, which were now a soft chocolate brown. He wasn't pale, and he now donned striking silver armor. His Stygian Iron sword gleamed in his belt.

Both Poseidon and Hades got down on one knee, bowing to the child. "We," they said. "Lord Poseidon of the Sea, and Lord Hades of the Underworld, bless the new God, Lord Nicolas of the Spirits, the Ghost King."

"He shall have power over the Sea of Monsters." Poseidon said.

"And rule over the Ocean of Souls in the Underworld." Hades said.

They stood once more. Nico had taken off the armor, now just wearing his regular black jeans and a blue tee. He knelt before the two Gods and Percy. "I, Lord Nicolas of the Spirits, bless this demigod, Perseus Jackson, with immortality, and grant him a spot as a God."

"He will rule over the Oceans." Poseidon added.

"And will rule beside Lord Nicolas, because he does rule over the Ocean of Souls." Hades chimed in.

Percy was glowing gold, now also donning sapphire armor. His scars disappeared, and his eyes were glowing the beautiful deep blue of the ocean water. He was slightly built, stronger than he was before. His skinned still remained a darker tan and Riptide gleamed from his belt.

Percy ran towards Nico, nearly knocking him over with a hug. The God of Spirits embraced the God of Oceans, resting his head on his chest, and listening to his now fast heartbeat.

"Wait!" Nico grinned, releasing Percy and turning towards Poseidon and Hades. "If I was blessed by Poseidon, does that mean I can move water?" Poseidon nodded, causing Nico to jump up in happiness. Nico was running around the huge cabin, when he tripped and nearly fell.

Nearly...

Percy's hand shot out and a blanket of shadows caught Nico before he hit the floor. Percy looked down at his hands. "Cool..." He smiled. "Meet you in Olympus." He smirked, fading into the shadows.

"I should've never taught him to shadow travel..." Nico chuckled before mimicking Percy's previous actions.

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The throne room of Olympus contained Gods and Goddesses going ballistic. Multiple Gods were arguing with each other, especially Aphrodite. Athena sat in her chair, rubbing circles on her temples, obviously getting a headache.

"SILENCE!" A voice boomed. Everyone turned to look at the Spirit God, who now looked like the terrifying shadow that had attacked Aphrodite, whom was now cowering in fear in her seat.

Nico returned to his normal from, once again taking Percy's hand. Zeus, whom was seating in his throne, chuckled at the other Gods and Goddesses.

"You understand that's Nico di Angelo, right?" He laughed.

"I know! He was always my favorite demigod!" Apollo squealed. Percy nudged a now blushing Nico.

"But Perseus Jackson seems to be in his company." Athena sneered.

"Yes, he is, Athena." Nico growled back. "We came to take our rightful seats in the throne room."

Two seats appeared between Poseidon and Hades. The seats looked gigantic from their original frail demigod forms. They closed their eyes, turning into water and shadows and grew into their Godly forms. They walked towards their seats, smirking at the shocked Gods and Goddesses.

Nico turned, bowing. "Lord Nicolas, God of Spirits, Ruler of the Sea of Monsters and Ocean of Souls." He took his seat.

"Lord Perseus, God of Oceans, Ruler of every Oceans, including the Ocean of Souls." Percy bowed, taking his seat. Both new Gods seemed to be confident in their new position.

"Oh, and one thing." Nico added. "If Aphrodite over there hasn't told you, I'm not bisexual, I'm homosexual, thank you." He glared at Aphrodite, his eyes turning red. She flinched, but remained in her spot.

Apollo seemed to be having a seizure in the corner of the room. "Percico for LYFE!" He screamed. He was flailing everywhere, crying. "My ship- its- a CANNON!" He was wailing now. "YASSSSS!"

"Artemis, please take care of your brother." Zeus said, resting his head on his hand. Artemis nodded, dragging Apollo from the room. "Now, Nico di Angelo and Percy Jackson, I am going to give you the job I was originally going to give to Ms. Chase. I am going to ask you to watch over Camp Half Blood and Camp Jupiter, relieving Dionysus of-"

"Yes! Finally; thank you, Peter Johnson!" Dionysus screamed, drinking his Diet Coke. Nico shot a glare at him and suddenly he was cloaked in water.

"Since when did Nico control water?" Aphrodite said, attitude present in her tone. This time, Percy turned, pulling a shadow up in his hand. A soul wailed as it drifted out of his palm.

"Since you made him blind." Percy said, closing his hand, causing the soul to travel back to it's home in the Ocean.

"As I was saying," Zeus said, interfering. "You will watch over the camps. I would ask my son but-"

"Already on it." Nico said, snapping his fingers. Jason appeared, confused as to where he was, but he soon bowed.

"Father, Lord Zeus, what have you summoned me for?" Jason asked.

"Dude, Jason, I summoned you." Nico said. Jason looked up, eyes wide.

"Nico? You can see? And you're a God? Percy? Is that you, too?" Percy and Nico nodded.

"I, Lord-" Zeus began, but was interrupted.

"We, Lord Zeus and Lady Artemis," Artemis continued, Zeus joining in. "Bless Jason Grace with immortality, and a spot as a God."

"He will rule over the stars." Artemis said, looking at the boy. She smiled at him. She had always watched over Jason Grace, knowing his rightful place was as a God in Olympus.

"And he will rule over the wind." Zeus added. "LAMEEEE." Nico said under his breath.

Jason skin began to glow as Nico and Percy's did before. The scar on his face diminished, his hair being swept to the side. His eyes were now a starry silver color. The golden armor he donned reflected the sapphire armor that Percy was still wearing. A sword was in his belt, but the coin was still in his hand. A chair appeared between Artemis and Apollo, where Jason took his seat.

"Now, the God of Spirits, the God of Night, and the God of Oceans, I grant you ownership and leadership over both Camp Half Blood, and Camp Jupiter." Zeus said.

Suddenly, all three Gods were spinning, traveling to Camp Half Blood.

Campers skipped around in glee. No attacks, no fights. All seemed calm. The war had ended, things were getting back to the way they used to be. Sure, some bunks seemed oddly empty, such as in the Zeus and Athena cabin, but people were getting over it.

Jason had seemed to walk away already, so Percy turned to Nico. "Do you still love me?" He smiled. Nico blushed, nodding. Nico stood up on his tiptoes, connecting his lips to Percy's for the first time. It was slow, it was intimate.

Nico pulled back, smiling. "Yes, I still love you."

"Good." Percy smiled. "Because I still love you, too."

Percy took Nico's hand, and together they ruled, over the Camps, over the water, and over the souls.

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As you can see, I dedicated this story to two wonderful people named Tora and Koe. These two are cosplayers, and are guilty of introducing me to Percico. These two are the most amazing people in the world, and it would mean so much if I got a chance to meet them. (Tora and Koe: If you ever read this (which you probably wont) COME TO AMERICA!! TEXAS SPECIFICALLY!) These two are the best and I can't wait for their next cosplay video!

Ginger (@RedWonderr)

[EDITED OCT20 2015]

THE SEQUEL IS UP! PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE SEQUEL TO THIS LOVELY STORY ENTITLED "SOLDATINO".