Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Nico had been stuck in the jar for over two weeks now, and his last pomegranate was gone. He had truly thought that someone would have saved him by now, especially Hazel. 

That’s what you got, bringing back his sister from the dead but she couldn’t even spare a second to save him. But it wasn’t like anybody would know where he was, and it wasn’t like he would be missed. 

He signed and let his head fall forward, resting on his knees. He was so hungry, sure he was used to not eating regularly, but not eating anything but seeds two weeks in a row was a new record for him. His whole body was sluggish and he could feel himself slowly shutting down.  

He regretted it, regretted getting involved in the war. He should have walked the other way back in the underworld, should not have traveled into Tartarus, should not have looked for the doors of death. He could still remember the dark, the monsters who never stopped hunting him. 

Hurting him. 

His arms shook as he tried to open the jar. His breath hitched as the world around him spinned, he felt so dizzy. This could not be his end, he could not die like this, not in a tight space and certainly not by the cause of monsters.  

His jaw clenched as he struggled, he put all his strength in his movement. Nothing happened, the jar did not budge. And Nico screamed, he let himself go. All his hurt, all his anguish. He screamed and screamed. 

For Bianca who he lost too soon, for his father who wished him gone, for Hazel who he thought he could learn to love.  His mother, a woman Nico could barely remember. His hatred of Percy, steamed from his younger self's fascination that broke his heart. Nico’s feeling of Percy had turned first from awe to hatred then to friendship. Or what he had thought of as friendship, but as Nico screamed he knew that Percy surely didn’t think of him as a friend. 

And never had. 

The shadows around him stirred, they swirled around the urn, touching him in a subconscious question, ‘are you alright’ they seem to ask. And he was, he had to believe that or he would go crazy. But Nico was losing control, he was losing himself in the dark, where he once felt the safest he was now afraid. 

He tried to leave, traveling through his shadows. But it had not worked the first time or the hundredth so he knew it would not work now. 

He thought of home, his mothers warm arms surrounding him. Bianca's laughter as they ran through the many alleys of Venice, Italy. He could briefly remember his old friends, and he missed it. 

He wanted to go home, back to where he belonged. 

The shadows embraced him, wrapping him in a blanket of darkness. He was still dreaming of his home when he lost consciousness, his eyes fluttering close and the shadows took his unguarded body in before they attacked. They clashed down onto him, Nico convulsed and shivered. 

It feels like he’s turning into air, that he is becoming one with his shadows. Nico embraces them, his will to live is turning to ash, and he wants so badly to go back into his mothers embrace. 

_______

 Nico wakes up underground, and he is slowly drowning in dirt. He claws at it, trying to find a way out. He’s buried, and he knows he is not inside the jar anymore. 

Nico had thought he was dying before, but now he knows he was not close at all. Being buried alive is excruciating, it is worse than even being trapped inside Tartarus. He can’t open his eyes, the soil won’t let him. He digs as much as he can and he’s almost left with no oxygen. 

He breathes raggedly as he breaks through the surface, Nico welcomes the fresh air he breaths. “Gods,” he curses as he frees his lower body from the earth. His chest moves rapidly, and he blinks his eyes open. He glances around himself. He’s by a beach, the water is crystal blue. Greece, he thinks. 

The twin giants must have taken him there, and he somehow must have shadow-traveled here. But that doesn’t at all explain why he was buried underground, if they thought him dead he would be either eaten or burned by now. 

He let himself fall on his back, his arm over his eyes, protecting him from the blinding sun. Nico relaxed and stretched, he winced as his legs straightened. That is until he hears shouting from his left, Nico sits up fast. His body tense as he searches for the people. 

He spots a group of them, or rather a whole army. They are dressed in ancient Greek styled armor. They do not look or move like demigods, he crawls behind some rocks and watches. 

There are two men who stand out the most, the latter is trying to climb a wall. It is now that Nico notices the strangeness of his surroundings. Is he on a film set? The taller of the two loomed over him, a spear in his hands. 

The rest of the fighting vanishes as he throws, the man falls down, landing on the ground below with a thud. The spear stuck in his chest. Nico gasps as he sees a figure behind the man, glowing and invisible to the naked eyes of mankind. 

Apollo.

Nico dive down behind the rocks once more, that is not the god he recognises. That is not the arrogant bus driving Apollo he knows. He looks mad, and so much like the god Nico only heard about in the myths. 

When he glances out again the fight is over and the man is gone and so are the other soldiers, he creeps closer to the fallen man on the ground and gasps. He is alive, barely but alive. 

Nico knelt beside him, the spear did not go through him, the armor had taken most of it. His mind is spinning, panicked, he doesn’t know what he is supposed to do. He glances around, he’s still alone. 

His hands hover above the wound, his clothes are covered in dirt so he can't use them. He focuses instead on his powers, he’s the ghost king. Surely a little wound can’t hinder him. He grits his teeth as shadows swirl over the blood, making a bandage that wraps around his chest. 

It will do for now. He grabs the man under his arms and secures him over his shoulders, Nico leaves the battlefield behind.

Not knowing he had changed one of the most important moments in history.

___________

Achilles wakes up with a bad feeling in his stomach and it only deepens when he can’t find Patroclus beside him on the bed. His side is cold, unused in what seems like hours. He is barely awake when a soldier he does not know the name of runs into his tent. 

“What is the meaning of this!” He snarls, snatching his sword on the ground below him and directing it at the man. The boy’s eyes widened in fright. “A-Achilles you're alive!”

Before he can speak the boy runs out screaming his name. “Achilles, Achilles alive!”

He runs out after him, the camp is cheering when they see him and he looks around in bewilderment before he catches Briseis' eyes across the campsite. “What’s all this?” he questions as he arrives next to the girl. Brisei's side eyes him. “It says you died in the battle, killed by Hector.” 

“Killed,” Achilles murmurs confusedly. “Have you seen Patroclus around?”

She worked her jaw before she answered him. “He was in the battle.” 

Achilles laughed, in the battle, right. Patroclus wouldn’t go without him, and especially not when he had refused to participate earlier. But he quieted down when Briseis kept quiet. “You’re serious.”

She nodded. And Achilles' heart fell, he had known it wouldn’t be a good day. He left her there and sprinted to his tent, his armour was gone. And so was his helm. He ran outside, shouting for his beloved. 

But he could not find him, in the back of his mind he had already figured out what had happened. Patroclus had stolen his armour to pretend he was him, and Hector had gotten him with his spear. 

Hector.

Hector.

What had Hector ever done to me?

He had killed his lover, his Patrocules. Achilles fell to his knees, crying and screaming for mercy. This could not be true. 

He needs to, arched, to kill him. Hector would not survive the night. Achilles left the camp on his horse, searching for his prey. He would not be kind, not when they never had for him. 

Blood spills, the only thing he hears on repeat inside his mind is ‘Hector’ as he stabs Troyans. They fall like sheep, dismembered. His heart speeds up as he sees him, on the other side of the field. Working his way through the soldiers, his eyes locked on Achilles. Who smiles, cold and hungry. 

He looks away for a moment and Hector is gone,  he curses and gives chase. The blood pumps in his ear, the ground below him gives way to water. He finds himself by a small lake, but as he looks around he can’t find Hector. 

He had gotten away, Achilles kicked the water furiously. He can’t have gone far, he scopes out the place he found himself in. The lake was surrounded by hills, and trees. And there, in the middle of two hills, was a cave hidden behind overgrown plants. 

He creeped closer on silent feets, he readied his sword and lunged. But what he found inside was not Hector, but a man injured, chest covered in moss. Achilles blood froze. 

 Patrocles. 

Achilles could recognise him behind all the dirt and blood, he fell on his knees besides him. His hands hovered over the wound. He flickered his gaze all over the man, not believing it to be true. 

“Patroclus,” He said as he ran his hand through his hair. Kissing his forehead gently. “My beloved, you're alive.” 

He turned his head fast as a loud noise was heard further into the cave. There was someone here, he left Patroclus' side but kept him protectively behind himself. Achilles had left his sword somewhere on the ground and instead stayed in the shadows as a boy came walking up to Patrocles. 

Before the boy could touch him Achilles grabbed him from behind, a dagger directed against his throat. “Who are you?” he questioned the boy. 

When he didn’t answer, Achilles' temper flared, he shook him and the boy finally spoke in a language he couldn’t understand. He also noticed the clothes he wore looked strange.  

Before the situation could escalate he heard a soft voice from below them. “Achilles, is that you?”

He pushed the boy away and hurried to his side. “Yes, Patroclus. It's me.”

He tried to be angry at him, but the relief of finding him alive was much greater. “You're so Stupid.”

“Don’t kill the boy.” Patroclus spoke in a weak voice, wincing as he tried to sit up. “Careful.” Achilles scolded as he helped him. “Why don't you want the boy dead.”  From the corner of his eye he noticed the boy flinching, so he could speak the language. 

“He saved me, without him I would not have lived.” Achilles swallowed his protest, and ignored the doubt inside him. Let him spare the boy for now, we wouldn’t want to make Patroclus mad.

Chapter Text

Percy Jackson had been alone inside Tartarus for…he didn’t even know how long. But it felt like forever since Annabeth had taken the elevator up, leaving him behind. 

Percy had not been able to reach it before the doors closed, and he was now haunted by the horrified look she had worn the last time he’d seen her. 

It would probably also be the last time if the monsters were to catch up with him. For the last few days more and more monsters have arrived, and are not leaving. He would have guessed the war was over if he had not overheard a couple of them talking. Stating that the final battle had not taken place yet. 

Percy glanced behind him, a dozen monsters were hunting him. He fastened his pace, crazed and mocking laughter echoed in the space around him as he ran. 

Hades, how was he supposed to survive this. 

He spotted Nyx palace further ahead and made his way inside, the darkness would help him hide and no monster was stupid enough to go near. He closed his eyes and raced through the long hallway, whispers brushed against his ear, wind grabbed at his clothes. But Percy didn’t stop. 

He kept his hands stretched before him, his feet stumbling against the marble floor. His heart beat fast inside of his chest, fear pushed him forward. He was slowly losing hope on escaping Tartarus. But he would be damned if he became a snack for the monsters. 

He slowed for a while and waited, it felt like forever but Percy did not want to take any chances. He counted to a hundred then a thousand and started all over again. He did that a few more times before he darted to where he hoped the exit was. 

He was met with silence when the darkness vanished, he gazed out over the endless field, the army of monsters had disappeared. As Percy walks, bewilderment and confusion blooms in his chest. There is no monster in sight, it’s like they were never here to begin with.  

His breath stutters as he halts, where once a proud elevator stood, it is now replaced with two huge golden doors. Percy’s mind flashes with questions and warnings, but he ignores them and he does something stupid instead.

With all his might he pushes the door open, he groans when they resist and his arms drop to his side. Breathing heavily he looks around himself, his eyes narrow in on the door handle, it’s locked. 

Swallowing down his nerves Percy switches the lock and opens the now much easier door. They reveal marble steps that lead upward, too exactly where he does not know. With one last glance over his shoulder Percy leaves Tartarus behind.

__________

When Percy finally arrived at the top, he did not expect the first thing he saw to be the ocean; the sea breeze welcomed him back. He closed his eyes and took a long breath, fresh air. Percy had not known you could miss the air but he had, the heavy and bitter taste in Tartarus had felt so miserable. 

But Percy quickly snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a horn blare in the distance, he walked up the hill in confusion. Before him was a wall, he had to bend his neck back just to reach the top. And all the way up stood a man, his spear was grasped proudly in his hand. He was covered in grime and blood, like he had just left a battle. 

“Greek!” A hand grabbed him, shoving him down to the ground. Percy’s eyes widened as he was caught unaware. He had been too stunned by the sight before him; that he had not heard someone sneaking up on him. 

 “What-” He began, as he twisted his body, trying to get to Riptide. The soldier stumbled back in shock as the pen transformed, his face pailing in fright. Percy directed it at him. “Who are you?”

Two more soldiers came at him, he backed away, toward the sea. Their swords pointed directed at him and in a flash they striked. He met them in the middle, the loud sound of sword hitting sword surrounded him. Percy was still weak from his time in Tartarus and it didn’t come to a surprise when the three soldiers closed in on him. 

The ocean was behind him, and before him the three of them smirked. Thinking they had won, he gritted his teeth. If he did not do it he would soon be dead. So, with a deep breath Percy used his powers. 

The water behind him followed his command, it raised over and around him and with all its might dragged the men down to the ground. Percy heaved as he let the water drop, and his swordarm fell to his side in exhaustion. 

He blinked and the man with the spear he had seen before on the tall wall was suddenly before him, Percy noticed the armour he wore. It looked like his own, back in camp. “Drop the sword.” The man ordered, it was now he noticed that they spoke in ancient greek. 

Percy shook his head. “Why would I do that, exactly? When it is you who attacked me first.” 

 This was so strange, where had he even arrived? This was not the Greece he remembered. The man before him was tall and built like a horse. He looked like an exact replica of the heroes of old. 

“I am Hector, and this is my city you're in.” Hector said, “and you are?” He did not lower his spear once as he spoke. Percy swallowed, why did his name sound familiar?

“Percy.” He started as he glanced around the many soldiers that were now surrounding him. “Percy Jackson.” 

“Well, Percy Jackson.” Hector replied as he lowered his weapon slightly. He examined Percy with sharp eyes, stopping at his sword. “Who is it that sent you?”

Percy tilted his head, sent him? No one had sent him. “I don’t know.” It was true that he had found himself here by some godly power, but which god he had no idea of. 

“You don’t know.” someone in the back muttered, they clearly did not believe him. 

“Exactly!” He raised his hand to drag it through his hair but stopped when swords were drawn and directed at him as soon as he moved. “Someone had too, but I don’t know who.” 

Hector looked at him with distrust. “Follow me.”

____________

He was led through a city, Troy, Hector had said. Percy had frozen in recognition. Of course he knew about the battle of Troy, Annabeth had not stopped speaking of it when he had mentioned his slight encounter with Achilles by the river Styx. 

He also knew how it would fall, shaking the memory away he glanced at the palace before him, at Hector who led him to a dining hall. Where people sat around a large table, drinking and speaking in what looked like a tense conversation. 

They stopped when they caught sight of Hector and him, an older man sitting by the head of the table spoke up first. “Hector you’re back, and you brought home a…friend.” 

“Yes, father. This is Percy who was sent to us by a god.” A few of them gasped, a woman with long black hair sat silent in the middle but when she got a clear look at him she started to shake. Her eyes were wide open as her mouth moved in whispers. 

“Percy Jackson…a friend, a hero or an enemy. You shall be the destruction of Troy or you shall carry us to glory.” 

“Cassandra!” A small boy grabbed her by the shoulder as she fell, still shaking and muttering to herself. “By Mother earth you were sent!”

“Monsters! a boy! it's so dark..”

Cassandra collapsed, fainting after her fit, the king gestured for someone to take her away, but he still looked concerned and worried as he focused on Percy again.  

“Don’t listen to Cassandra,” Beside the king a young man spoke up, his hand was wrapped around a glass of wine and the other was around the shoulders of a girl. Percy blinked at them, she was beautiful he had to admit, she had that beauty all demigods inherited from their godly parents. “She’s lost her mind, cursed I think.” 

“Paris!” Hector scolded him. His hand tightened into fists at his side. A woman raised from her seat and kissed Hector on the cheek. He closed his eyes and smiled at her. “Andromache.”

Percy looked over them all, he was still uneasy by what Cassandra had said, and noticed that no one paid her words any mind. He started to relax as Priam gestured for him to take a seat by the table. 

He did, and swallowed as he was served food. It had been so long since he had any good food and not that from camp. His mouth was stuffed when he glanced up, meeting the gaze from the woman beside Paris, He ducked his head in embarrassment. Not wanting to shame himself further he decided to eat in smaller potions. 

"Which god are your parents then?” Paris asked, oblivious by the many looks he received. 

"Poseidon." Percy said after a short while, he knew he was not in his own timeline so his father here didn’t know about him, obviously. But he also couldn’t lie before them, not if he wanted to die. Percy had to play a role here, be a good hero and fight for them as he looked for a way home. 

And as they talked he did not notice an owl sitting alone in the shadows of the ceiling, blinking their large sharp grey eyes right at him.

Chapter Text

Nico stood to the side awkwardly, watching as Achilles and Patroclus embraced and whispered with each other to the side. He was still shaken about having a knife pressed against his throat and the fact that he had landed somewhere old.

Ancient, if he was not wrong the two men before him were that of myths, he narrowed his eyes at Achilles. He did kinda look like the man he met by the styx. 

The blond man raised from the ground, his hand on Patroclus' shoulder, steading his weak body. Nico noticed the latter of the two wincing and his hand twitching, wanting to hold his chest.  

 He must be in so much pain, the spear did not slice something precious but the wound gave no less pain. He clears his throat, the two men turn on him, he steps out of the shadows. 

“I guess I’ll leave you two to it.” He started for the exit but a hand grabbed his arm, trapping him from leaving. 

“You’re not going anywhere.” Achilles hissed. “Not before I know who you are.”

Nico’s heart picked up speed. He would surely die if he followed them, but on the other hand he had nowhere to go and he didn’t even know where he was. “ Why?”

Patroclus stepped forward, his tone gentle. “He’s just a boy, Achilles. Don’t be too harsh.” Achilles grumbled but loosened his grip and Patroclus flickered his attention to Nico. “I would feel better if you followed us to camp, get some food and then we could guide you back to your home.” 

Nico nodded before he could think and tagged along behind them as they walked through the forest back to their camp. 

__________

Patroclus gritted his teeth as he strode, Achilles was helping him by taking most of his weight. He glanced back at the boy, Nico, he had said his name was. He was deathly pale and his hair shone like a dark halo around his face. 

He bit his tongue, stopping himself from asking who he was. It would do no good, not when he could briefly remember the powers the boy held. Patroclus was afraid he had hallucinated the whole thing, how could such a young boy truly wield such strong shadows, how could he save Patroclus so easily. 

The peaceful beach changed as they walked further up a hill, the acheans camp stood proudly before him. Nine years they have been here, in a few months ten. The memory of his life before this, before war was brief. He could remember the happiness, Achilles' golden locks as they sat under trees talking for ages. 

Sometimes he wished Achilles would just stop, leave and sail home. But he knew it would never come, Achilles was built for war and he loved it. Loved the glory he received. 

Patroclus snapped out of his thoughts when they stopped, Briseis stood by the edge of camp, greeting them back. Her eyes were wide when she saw him, he smiled at her. It had been stupid, he knew, pretending to be Achilles in battle. 

He shrugged away from Achilles who gave him a worried glance, and walked. His back straight, he would not show any weakness in front of the men. A few of the soldiers stopped and watched, but their attention slid away from him and to the boy behind him. So thin and small as he walked beside Briseis. He looked starved, that he could see but what was hidden under his strange clothes Patroclus did not know. 

Who was he? A new servant? They whispered in hushed tones but he could still hear them as he walked past the group. Marching towards his tent. He took a step inside and sighed, finally hidden from the crowd he stumbled to the bed and collapsed onto it.

 “Patroclus!” Achilles called in panic, he just waved his hand at him. Telling him not to worry. 

By the sceptical look he received he did not succeed. He looked away and focused on Briseis instead. “Fetch some clothes for the boy,” He glanced at Nico, seeing him covered in dirt, he added. “And a bath would do him wonders.” 

Briseis agreed and guided Nico out to the stream for him to soak in. He heard Achilles take a deep breath beside him. “What is it, “ 

The man before him paced back and forth. His hands running through his hair in rough movements. “Don’t you think! How could you leave like that, without even telling me!”

Patroclus swallowed, he felt guilt rise inside of him. He hadn’t thought about how Achilles would feel when he found Patroclus missing in the morning. He just…he just wanted to make it right. 

“Answer me!” Achilles yelled. 

Patroclus looked down, there was something stuck in his throat. Achilles sighed and knelt before him, his large hands resting on his tights. “My Patroclus.” 

“I don’t know what I would have done if you’d died. Your half of my soul.” His eyes were red as he spoke, Patroclus rested his hands on his cheeks, caressing him. 

“I’m sorry.” He said. 

They sat there for what felt like eternity, he did not remember who moved first but suddenly lips crashed against lips. His eyes fluttered close, and he leaned down so he could be nearer his love, “Careful.” Achilles whispered, his breath brushing against the corner of his mouth. 

He could feel tears flowing down his cheeks, tasting salt as they kissed. His heart felt warm. He wished this would never stop, wished he could freeze time. 

“I’m sorry.” He begged between moments of breath. 

Oh, how he wished this moment would never stop. 

___________

Nico gazes out of camp as he sits by the campfire, he shifts uncomfortably, the new clothes he received from the girl was strange. He wished he could ask for his old back but when he tried he only received a blank stare in return. 

So, he resigned to his fate and instead asked for some food. To which he was led to where he was now, seated by the campfire with men surrounding him, greek acheans, soldiers fighting to bring home Helen. They all glanced curiously at him but no one questioned him. 

He jumped in surprise when a hand landed on his shoulder. He looked over behind him, it had only been Patroclus. “Sorry.” The man said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. 

Nico shrugged, and turned back to his meal. He does not want to admit that the idea of being in the same space as a legend excited him. Nico had always been fascinated by their story, Patroclus and Achilles, it was his favorite in all of Greek mythology. 

And he knew how Patroclus should have died. Stabbed by Hector as he fought Achilles' battle. He had been selfish, saving him. He could have destroyed the timeline, he did not know if he already had. 

But Nico chose to believe he had been sent back here to save him, why else would he be stuck thousands of years back in time.  

But the thought of looking to his left scared him more than he had thought possible.

__________

War was brewing. 

The air around Troy was spiked with fear. Percy could feel it affecting him, the memory of Tartarus was always playing before his eyes. He does not know what is real and what is not.

He can’t sleep, all he dreams about is the face Annabeth made when he used poison against Akhlys. He can’t forget, not when he is doubting if he is as evil as the beings down there. Maybe he should have stayed, maybe he truly wasn’t human anymore. 

He didn’t feel like one, and maybe he never even had. 

The fear is affecting how he acts, he is colder and faster to anger. He tries to detach himself from it all, but how can he when he does not know how he is supposed to find his way back home. 

After the whole dinner with the king and his family, they have started to see him as one of their many powerful allies. He acts and pretends that he is one too, but truly he could not care less about their war. 

All he wants is peace. That is why he had sneaked away from the palace and into town, searching for a place he can be himself. He looks around at all the town’s people, working as usual but with an air of caution around them. 

He stops by the edge of the city, the tall and imposing wall before him. He stills when he glimpses a small tear in the stone, he curiously follows it with his eyes. His hand reaches out to touch the now much bigger opening. He should tell someone about it, but he doesn't want to. 

The sun burned into his back, sweat ran down his face. He glanced around himself but when he didn't see anyone he took a step forward, his feet raised to go through the opening of the wall. 

“Well, what do we have here?” A sharp voice cut through the air, Percy froze what he was doing and turned his head sharply to where the man was located. 

Hermes leaned casualty against a fence. His arms crossed above his chest, his dark eyes were narrowed on where Percy was trying to get out. “Who are you?” Percy asked even though he already knew those piercing eyes. 

The man tilted his head to the side. “A child of the sea. Fighting for the troyans, how unusual.” 

It was now Percy remembered that his dad had in fact not been on the troyans side, he shrugged and looked away. 

Hermes took a step closer, his attention never leaving him. “The king thinks you're their ally, but I know for a fact that Poseidon would never stoop so low as to fight for them.” 

Percy took a step back as Hermes took one forward, he was trapped. His back was flat against the wall, and Hermes leaned his head down. Those piercing eyes locked onto Percy’s, they flickered all over his face. He raised a hand and thugged at the white streak of his hair.  

“How unusual, indeed.” He took a step back and before Percy’s brain could proceed what happened Hermes was gone. 

He sighed and let himself fall back, crumbling to the ground as he ran through his interaction with the god. 

Chapter Text

Nico glanced over to where Patroclus had taken a seat, across from him by the fire. He was talking with some of the men, laughing at a lame joke. Nico felt comfortable to just sit there quietly and watch. 

The laughter abruptly cuts off when a man arrives, followed by two others. Patroclus tensed and he pressed his lips in a tight line. “Diomedes.” 

“Patroclus.” The man Diomedes greeted him as he glanced around the group. His eyes pausing on Nico. “Is this the new slave of Achilles I've heard whispered about around camp?”  

Nico froze, a slave. He was a slave, and one of Achilles. He looked down at his feet which he dragged through the dirt. He should have figured it out beforehand. But the thought had not crossed his mind. 

Stupid

“He’s not.” Patroclus gritted out through clenched teeth. Nico looked up in surprise, the sudden bleakness left his eyes and the world became lively again. Patroclus had narrowed eyes, his hands in fists by his side. 

Diomedes laughed, a few of the men around him looked confused. They had probably thought he was one, that would explain the weird looks he had received before. 

“Oh, really?” He looked skeptical, “my bad then.”

“What’s your bad?” A booming voice asked, Achilles hopped over a tree used as a bench and stopped beside Nico. A hand landed on his shoulder, what is it with them touching his shoulders?

Diomedes answered before he dismissed him. “Nothing, just wondered who the boy was.”

Achilles tilted his head, noticing the way Patroclus still sat tense. “It doesn’t look like ‘nothing’ to me.”

Diomedes had just opened his mouth to answer him but closed it as a man came running into where they were gathered, he looked shaken and pale. He whispered something in the ears of Diomedes who froze. Nico saw a flash of interest run through his eyes before he hid it away by a layer of boredom. 

“This has been fun,” He started as he turned away from them. “but I’m afraid duty calls.” 

He left as fast as he arrived, his two companions following behind him. Nico watched as their figures vanished into the many tents. 

Achilles sighed as he slumped down on the bench across from him. His arm wrapped around Patroclus' shoulders. “I can’t stand that guy.” 

“Neither can I.” Patroclus murmured in agreement. 

________

Nico woke up the next morning sore from laying on the ground of Patroclus and Achilles tent. He had not been able to sleep, the memory of what Diomedes had said still lingering fresh on his mind. 

He was a slave, Patroclus had said differently but he saw how Achilles looked at him when Patroclus showed him things around camp, he watched him with something possessive. Like Nico was one of his own, his slave. 

He could remember two days ago when he was learning how to bind a wound properly, Achilles had sat across from them not once looking away. He knew he did not trust Nico yet, and probably never would. But that didn’t hinder him from keeping him close, sleeping in their tent, if the two of them were not around then Brisies was. 

Nico was never alone. 

He stretched his arms above him, tossing the fur off him as he rose from the ground. The bed was empty so he made his way outside, it was not rare that he awoke alone inside of the tent. 

“Nico!” He looked up and saw Achilles had paused from his training and gestured for Nico to come to him. “Have you ever fought with a sword?”

“Yes,” Nico said hesitantly. He looked questioningly at Achilles who passed him the weapon he was holding and took one for himself. 

“Show me then.” Achilles attacked, Nico took a startled step back as his reflexes kicked in. Metal clashed in the air, Achilles praised him. The sword was heavy in his grasp and sweat ran down his back. The sun burned and he would surely be red come evening, he raised his arm again, meeting Achilles' blade. 

“Not so bad.” Achilles said as he pounced once more. “But not excellent either.” He took a step to the side as Nico stabbed his sword at him. He cursed when he missed and quickly turned his attention to where the man had moved too. 

Achilles laughed as he descended in a flash, and suddenly Nico had lost his weapon. It clashed to the ground, the power of Achilles' strike left him shaken. “I can’t have a ward that doesn't know how to wield a sword.” He shook his head in mock disappointment. 

Nico frowned, it wasn’t like anyone back home had taught him how to. They just assumed he already knew. 

Achilles suddenly had a serious expression as he said. “ I have to teach you the right way this time, then.”

And so he began to teach him the basics. It was new and much Nico had never learned. One example was that he had been holding it wrong. It was frustrating, learning everything once over. 

A few hours later he was washing his face in a river when he caught sight of something glimmering inside of the forest. He followed with a single glance back, Patroclus and Achilles had finally left him alone. Having been needed in a meeting with the kings. 

The wood was dense, he stumbled over branches on the ground and stopped. The glimmer he had caught sight of earlier was relieved to be a lake. The water was startling blue and he wanted to hop in. 

He jumped when a sound startled him, he turned as his blood froze. “Percy!?”

____________

Percy had had one miserable week, and that said something about himself. How could this be worse than Tartarus? 

He could not stand it, being in the same room as them, as they talked so casualty about murder. He had known much death back at camp but not this, Hector was still bloody from his fight earlier that day. Paris was drunk out of his mind and didn’t seem to understand that this was all his fault. 

Helen, poor Helen, had a dead look inside of her eyes. She moved like a machine. Smiling at Paris and the other royals as they talked about butchering her people. Percy could not understand it, how could she just sit there. 

He had left quickly after that, not wanting to be in the same room as them for too long. It was hot outside and the wind from earlier that day had vanished. He stopped by a fountain and glanced back when he heard footsteps. 

Helen.

She smiled at him as she came to a stop beside him, Percy swallowed and bowed his head. “Princess,” he greeted her. 

“Perseus.” Her soft voice spoke. “I see it in your heart that you don’t belong here.”

He froze. “What?”

“The wind, Perseus. It whispers, they sing of a hero they have never heard about before. You don’t even wanna be here.” 

“And neither do you.” He said back defensively. Helen gave him a sad smile, she signed and looked up at the sky. 

“No, you are right. I don’t want to be here.” Percy turned his head fully, he was so frustrated. How could she be so calm when all he wanted to do was scream? 

“But,” She interrupted his train of thought. “Life is not always fair.” 

He shook his head. “Life isn’t fair, I know that.” His voice rose and he thought about the wars, the scared look Annabeth gave him when he didn’t get on the elevator. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t fight back.” 

Helen laughed in surprise. “Maybe you are right, Perseus.” 

“I know I am.” 

He watched as she walked back inside the castle and let out a breath. The water churned below him, he shot a curious look at it. A glimmer, from his right caught his attention. He followed it, and arrived back at the wall where he had had an unfortunate encounter with Hermes. The gap was still there and he cast a look back and up at the sky before he walked through. He hurried past a few soldiers and into the forest. He huffed as he ran, he felt free, at last. 

He didn’t have to worry about monsters or soldiers and not the royal family. His mind cleared and he stopped by a lake, resting his hands above his knees, trying to catch his breath. 

“Percy!?” 

Percy froze and slowly looked up, meeting Nico’s wide eyes. “Nico?” He stumbled forward and fell forward in shock but was quickly caught by two hands before he could meet the ground. 

“Why…how are you here?” The disbelief was evident in Nico’s voice. Percy didn’t hear him at first, too shocked to see a familiar face. 

“I-I don’t know.” He stammered while he gestured at Nico before him. “How are you here?” 

Nico led him to the edge of the lake and together they lowered to the ground. Feet submerged in the water. “I think I died?” 

Percy’s heart stilled in his chest. “Dead. How can you be dead!” The guy was death himself, he had never even thought about Nico being dead. “But..but you're breathing.”

The boy shook his head. “Well I was in a jar-”

“Yeah, I know.” 

“What?” Nico said confused, a betrayed look in his eyes. Percy waved his hands before him, calming him down. “We were on our way to rescue you when we got attacked, Annabeth and I got dragged down to Tartarus. But I’m sure the others were on their way.” 

Nico looked down at his hands. “Well, they were too late anyway.”

The silence was sad as they thought about the last days back home. Percy broke it by saying something stupid. “If I’m honest I don’t think Helen is so beautiful I would want to start a war for her.” 

Nico scoffed and shoved his shoulder. “Idiot.” 

He smiled down at the dark haired boy, they sat there for hours, talking about their time in ancient Greece. The sun sunk below the horizon and Nico looked worried. 

“What is it?” Percy asked. 

“I have to go back, before they worry.” He raised from the ground and shook away the dirt from his clothes. “Meet me here tomorrow.” 

Percy nodded his head. “Okay.”

Chapter Text

Hermes or as we know him, Luke Castellan's dad, god of messengers and thieves did what he did best. He ran through the land of ancient Greece, his wings fluttering on the back of his sandals. Desperate to get to Olympus before anyone else did.  

A demigod, how was it that a child of the sea was fighting for Troy? It was so strange he could hardly believe it, did Poseidon know about Percy. Hermes doubted he did, otherwise the boy would be far from that kingdom. 

He glanced worriedly up at the sky, he did not know how his father would react to the sudden change. And especially not when he also had noticed the new addition at the acheans camps. Two demigods arriving at the same time? That was no coincidence. 

Some god must have done it, and he feared for the reaction his father will have when he tells him. Hermes glances to his side, almost there. He grins wide and lets out a cry of joy. It has been too long since he ran this fast, he was merely a blink and a flash as he ran through cities and neverending land. 

But that was when something strange happened, something that is supposed to be impossible. A shadow, or is it a light? Grabbed him from behind, locking him from moving. Hermes struggled and hissed in anger. 

Who dares, who dares grab a God? 

He was pushed and he could feel himself teleporting, he grunted as he landed. It was damp and dark around him, he raised from the ground but was thrown back down by a force. Shackles were bound around his wrist and feet. His kerykeion was missing and so were his sandals. 

“Who are you!” he shouted into the darkness. He was met by silence, the room or cave was deep underground. He could not call for help. 

But he understood that this was no ordinary being, why did this creature not want Olympus to know about the two demigods? Because what else could this be about, he shuffled around, the metal clinkering as he moved. 

He huffed and sank back to the ground, glaring into nothingness. “All this just for some boy,” He muttered under his breath. 

The darkness seemed to laugh at him. 

__________

Percy sighed as he looked down into the lake, his feet twirling the water between them. Nico had left a while ago but he was not ready to leave yet, he didn’t want to go back to Troy where he needed to act like someone he was not.

He was so tired of it all, he let his head fall back and stared up at the sky, the stars above him covered it whole. It was beautiful, he had to admit. Back home in New York you could barely see them anymore. But here they had not been ruined by humans, nature was left untouched, he could understand why Gaia would want it back. 

“Why,” he muttered under his breath. Why was it that this always happened to him? First the war with kronos and now this. He hated it, he just wanted to go home. He missed his mom, he had not met in over a year. 

Her face was starting to blur, he could not even remember the exact color of her eyes.

Maybe he never would meet her again, he shut his eyes, feeling miserable. A tear made its way down his cheek, he sniffled and brushed it away with harsh movements. 

He hated this.

_______

Poseidon stood back by the cover of  shadows, watching the boy sitting by the lake. This human who said he was a son of his. But Poseidon has never met him before, and he would surely remember the boy's mother. 

And so he knew the boy had lied, because Poseidon had not been with a human woman for centuries. He walked up to the lake after the boy had left, staring down at the water.  

Strange, it was all so strange. He decided then and there that he would watch him from now on. He would figure out who this liar really is. 

But he had promised his brother not to intertwine in human matters, so Poseidon could not do anything but watch from afar. 

________

Nico had come back to the camp late, but nobody had noticed. Achilles and Patroclus had been in a meeting all night. He had pretended to be asleep when Achilles had stomped into the tent, so angry he threw things on the floor. 

“I can’t do this anymore, Patroclus.” He said through gritted teeth. Nico heard him slump heavily onto the bed. Patroclus shushed him. “Shh, Nico is asleep.” 

Achilles sighed, “The boy…I refuse to let them use him.” 

Nico froze under the covers, his heart raising up in speed. Why were they talking about him? 

“We won’t let them.” Patroclus promised, he glanced at the sleeping figure on the ground. “You know how the kings are, they see a new shining toy and want it. But they always grow bored or are too cowardly to fight for it.” 

Achilles hummed, Nico wished he could turn around and ask what the kings wanted with him, but then they would figure out he wasn’t sleeping. 

“Troy grows impatient.” Achilles says. “ You heard the council, they want the war to end.” 

“Yes,” Patroclus whispered. “I want it to end too. But not if we have to use our boy.” 

Nico stayed silent while the two men stopped talking and when they got into bed. He wondered what Percy did, how was it that everytime Nico tried to forget the teen he always had to get thrown back into his face.

He surely missed his mother and Annabeth, the girl was never far away from him. He scowled as he thought about the two of them together. Nico shook his head, he knew Percy wanted to get home desperately, but Nico himself was not so sure. 

What was there even waiting for him? He had no one there, and here he had someone. Or two someone’s, Achilles and Patroclus. They had first taken him in to keep a track on him, and somehow in the last few weeks they have become someone Nico wanted to be with, stay with. 

He felt safe when he was with them. He never felt cold or out of place when he was with them either. 

But he knew he could not have this, fate did not allow it. Things had started to change, the war was supposed to have ended by now. Both Patroclus and Achilles were supposed to be dead by this time.

He did not know what this changed, would the world he knew be different? He hoped not, maybe Nico wouldn't even be born.

He could not let that happen, just the thought of Bianca not existing tugged at his heart. No, tomorrow he would meet Percy by the lake and figure out what brought them here. 

He let himself relax, sleep closing in on him and at last he closed his eyes and dreamed. 

_______

The next day Nico arrived at the lake the same time as yesterday. Percy was already there, bathing in the lake. “Nico!”

“Percy.” Nico replied, he stopped by the edge of the water, trying not to look directly at the shirtless Percy. 

Percy laughed where he stood waist down in the lake. “The water is wonderful, jump in!” 

Nico grimced. “I would rather not.” Just the thought about being vulnerable in the open was not something he wanted. But before he could step away Percy grabbed him and hurled him into the lake. 

He squirmed about, his arms and legs moving in different directions. He could not breath, his mind flashed with panic. He could not breathe.  

He was trapped, still buried underground. Dirt surrounded him as he began to lose consciousness. A pair of hands grabbed him under his arms and he broke to the surface. “Shit, Fuck. Nico, Nico.” 

“It’s okay,” A voice said from somewhere around him, he clinged to Percy who was petting his hair trying to calm him down. “I’ve got you.” he murmured into Nico's ear, his voice soothing the panic he felt just a moment ago.

“Asshole,” Nico hissed, he was so tired. “I can’t fucking swim.” 

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know” Percy stammered out, Nico huffed. “Clearly not.” He was still clinging to Percy when suddenly his face heated up. The body beneath him was filled with lean muscles and Nico shifted uncomfortably. “Take me to the shore.” He demanded. 

“um, ah, yes, yes.” Percy hurried to comply, he once again grabbed Nico by the waist and sat him by the shore. “I’m really sorry.” His hand rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. Nico waved it away. “Just don’t do it again.” 

“I won't, I promise.” He smiled up at the younger boy, a hand over his heart. Nico frowned and looked away, but the tip of his ears were tinted red. Percy forced a serious expression onto his face. “I hate it in Troy, they believe I'm some hero gifted to them.” He spit out the words with resentment. 

Nico looked down at his lap. “Me too.” He lied. He did not want to admit that a place so far away from home treated him better than it ever had back at camp. He was not Percy, the boy everyone loved. He was just Nico, an insignificant person. Someone that was easily forgotten. 

Percy sighed. “I don’t know how we got here, but it wasn’t an accident.” 

“But I can’t figure out why someone would want us here, why would they want to change the timeline?” He continued. 

Nico stayed silent as he thought. Too much had changed already. “The war was supposed to have ended by now, maybe it's Gaia who wants us to ruin the future. For it to stay like this forever, and never to be destroyed by human technology."

“Maybe,” Percy noted hesitantly. “But this doesn’t feel like her.” 

Nico nodded, his eyes wandering around the secluded spot, then stopping on Percy. His hair laid flat on his head, the tip of his nose red from the sun. Cute. He blinked away the thought. “How did you arrive here?”

“I was running from an army of monsters-” 

“What!” Nico cut him off, shocked. His wide eyes locked onto Percy’s. Percy nodded. “Yes, anyway I ran into Nyx palace trying to shake them off and when I walked out of there two huge doors stood where the elevator was before.”

“Wait, where was Annabeth at that moment?” Surely she isn’t dead. Percy looked pale as he answered. “We got separated,” he looked away, not meeting Nico's eyes. “She got out and I didn’t.”

The silence was tense and he didn’t know how to break it. He remembered his own experience, the creeping loneliness and thought about how Percy survived it even longer. 

Percy heaved himself up from the water and took a seat beside him, shaking the water from his hair like a dog. Nico grimaced as some of it landed on him. “That’s about it.” Percy finished.

“Oh.”   

“Yeah.” Percy tilted his head to the side, glancing at the boy beside him. “Maybe that’s something to think about.” 

“Think about what?” He asked, utterly confused by the change of subject. 

“We both were underground when we arrived, I’d say it's Nyx doing.” Nico looked sceptically at him but Percy just smiled, his posture pouring confidence out of him.

“If you say so.” Nico was not as sure as Percy, there was something inside of him that screamed wrong. But Nico huffed and pushed Percy, who let out a yelp when he fell into the lake. Nico let out a small huff of amusement.