Chapter Text
Pairing: Nico Di Angelo/Will Solace
Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus
Time Frame: N/A
Posted: Febuary 2015
Characters: Nico di Angelo, William Solace, Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, Jason Grace, Apollo, Hades, Persephone, Demeter, Kayla, Austin, Piper McLean, Mitchell, Lacy, Aphrodite, Ethan Nakamura, Luke Castellan
Disclaimer: All rights reserved for Rick Riordan. All characters and settings related to Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus series are property of his. This fanfiction was written by me and feedback is welcome.
Are Those Wedding Bells I Hear?
The world was split into twelve major realms after Lord Kronos the Tyrant was killed. The Sky Realm is ruled by Lord Zeus and his wife Lady Hera. The Sea Realm, ruled by Lord Poseidon, exports seafood, ships, and horses.The Underworld or Jewel Realm is ruled by Lord Hades.The Agriculture Realm, ruled by Lady Demeter, cultivates the crops and livestock that sustain the other realms.The Hunting Realm, ruled by Lady Artemis, is composed mainly of forests and wildlife. The Wine Realm, ruled by Lord Dionysus, specializes in winemaking and religious rituals. The War Realm is ruled by Lord Ares, and produces the deadliest warriors and weapons you've ever laid eyes on.The Craft Realm, ruled by Lady Athena, specializes in the arts, mathematics, and battle strategy. The Sun Realm is ruled by Lord Apollo, and produces healers, musicians, poets, and oracles. The Smith Realm, ruled by Lord Hephaestus, produces talented artisans and mechanics. The Trade Realm, nicknamed Land of Thieves, is a large marketplace and tourist destination, and exports athletes. The Realm of Lovers, ruled by Lady Aphrodite, is known for matchmaking, beautiful people, and clothing.
"With all due respect Father, this is an awful idea." Lord Hades was marrying his youngest son off to the son of (the eccentric) Lord Apollo. Prince Nico (as he prefered to be called) stood in his father's throne trying unsuccessfully to plead his case.
"Nicolas." Lord Hades's tone was laced with warning.
"Can't you form some sort of other alliance?"
"No, Nicolas."
"This isn't fair, father."
"Why not? My realm, which will soon be your realm, will gain an influential ally. You will be married to a prosperous young man. That seems fair enough to me."
Lord Hades had a point. "I'm being forced into marriage, and that isn't fair at all."
"It has already been decided Nico."
Prince Nico could tell his father was losing his patience. Unfortunately, so was he. "I refuse to marry some bastard I've never met just because his father's realm will be a powerful ally."
"NICOLAS!" Prince Nico's skinny body shook as his father yelled.
"My apologies, father." That seemed to somewhat calm the Lord's temper.
"William is a wonderful young gentlemen and I'm sure you'll get on great with him. In fact, he'll be visiting with his father, Lord Apollo, next week. I suggest you read up on the Sun Realm so you can make conversation when our guests arrive. Emphaisis on the word guests. You will nothing but hospital and polite to Lord Apollo and Prince William. Am I understood?" Lord Hades glared pointedly at his young son, daring him to argue.
"Yes, father."
☼
Nico laid on Hazel's fuffy bed with his head in his hands. "Father refuses to listen to me." Her roomed was tidy and smelled like freshly baked cinnamons rolls.
"Father isn't known for being a listener. Don't be so upset, Nico. You might really like Will. Dad's pretty good with finding us compatitable matches. I am engaged to Frank after all. "
Nico had to admit she had a point. Frank and Hazel were the happiest couple he knew. "But, I'm being married off solely to gain more political power."
Hazel tilted her head in a sympathy. "You might change your mind after you meet him. I wasn't too happy about being married off to a stranger, especially one from the war realm. But when I started courting Frank, I realized I'd been full of resentment for nothing."
Nico was happy to have Hazel in his life. She was easy to talk to and always reassured him that things would be okay. Plus, she could bake like nobody's business.
A servant knocked on their door to inform them that they had ten minutes to finish dressing and meet their father in the throne room.
"Nico you have to brush your hair! He's going to be here any moment now."
Nico knew better than to argue with Hazel. He halfheartedly ran a hairbrush throught his hair, which she promptly took from his hand and brushed his hair with fevor.
"Your suit looks so nice," Hazel gushed. "I can't believe my baby brother is meeting his future husband. You were just born the other day." She sniffled.
"We're only a year apart."
The siblings' banter was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Hazel?" Frank Zhang's eyes peeped through a small crack in the the door.
"Come in, honey." The rest of Frank's six foot eight, musclar body entered the bedroom. "I was just helping Nico get ready. We could really use a male opinion."
Frank smiled politely at Nico, who returned his smile.
"Sit" Hazel commanded Frank, who promptly sat.
"Which part looks better the left or right side?"
"Um... the left?" Frank's reply was a question.
"No, the right part flatters his overall facial structure."
"Definitely."
Hazel turned back to face Nico. "Now, for your tie I suggest the saphire or emerald...
Nico couldn't take it anymore. "Stop fussing over me Hazel!"
"You need to look presentable for your soon-to-be husband!"
"I don't even want to marry him!"
"You haven't even met him. At least give him a chance to prove himself, Nico."
☼
When Nico and Hazel entered the throne room, Lord Apollo and Prince William were already speaking with Lord Hades. The resemblence between the two was uncanny. While Apollo was taller and tanner than his son, they shared bright blue eyes, blond hair, and perfect smiles
Lord Hades began with the introductions. "Lord Apollo meet my son, Prince Nicolas."
He extended his hand to shake Lord Apollo's. Instead, Lord Apollo pulled him into an awkward hug.
"Prince Nicolas, this is my son and your soon-to-be co-ruler and lover, Prince William. You can call him Will, though. I think William is much to formal, but his mother insisted." He gestured for Prince William (Will?) to join the conversation.
Prince Nico stared at Prince Will for a moment before awkwardly shaking his hand. The boy was handsome (and tall, so tall) he'd give him that. However, they didn't seem to have much in common.
"Your realm is beautiful, Lord Hades." Even Prince Will's voice was sexy. He was too perfect.
Nico purposely avoided eye contact with him.
"Time like this next year, our sons will be married. We need get started on wedding plans. I'll take care of all the music." Lord Apollo seemed to be the groom, instead of his son.
"My wife and mother-in-law have already started the wedding preparations." Prince Nico already didn't want to get married, and now the two people who knew him the least were in charge of planning his wedding.
Prince Nico and Prince Will stood awkwardly as their fathers discussed their wedding. Neither of them spoke. Neither knew what to say. I know our dads are forcing us to get married, but I think you're handsome wasn't exactly an excellent icebreaker. Awkwardness seemed to consume both princes.
Lord Apollo noticed the tension. "You boys go get to know each other. Practice cosumating your relationship if you must," he chuckled "Just stop standing around like fish out of water."
Prince Nico and Prince Will both blushed and looked equally horrified.
"What Lord Apollo is trying to say is why don't you give Prince Will a tour of the palace? Be back in time for dinner at seven." Lord Hades waved them off.
☼
Nico led Will out of the throne room, through the garden, up a staircase to a balcony overlooking the palace courtyard. "You've already seen the throne room and the garden, so this is the courtyard." He mentally kicked himself for stating the obvious.
"This realm is quiet. In our courts, music is always played or poetry is read. " Prince Will seemed surprised.
"Our people are polite, but they mind their business and keep to themselves for the most part." Conversing with Prince Will was much easier than Nico thought it would be.
Will nodded. "Prince Nico, tell me a little about yourself."
"I have a hellhound."
Prince Will's eyes widened in a mix of fear and shock. "Does she bite?"
"Not unless I tell her to." Scaring Prince Will delighted Nico more than it should.
"When is your birthday?"
"January twenty-eighth."
"What do you do in your free time? I'm a practicing healer and currently developing some new medicines."
"I'm a deadly swordfighter." After only a few minutes of conversation, Nico concluded Will smiled too damn much.
"Archery is popular in my realm, but I'm terrible at it. To make matters worse, my father is an undefeated archer. I have eleven half siblings, and we are all close. Tell me about your family."
"I have sister named Hazel."
"What's your favorite color?"
"Black"
"That's not a surprise. Do you like kids?"
"No."
"Oh, okay. Do you like to read?"
"Yes."
"What's your favorite food?"
"I don't have one."
"Everyone has a favorite food."
"No."
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm trying to get to know you better. We are marrying in six months." Prince Will sounded delighted, excited even for their upcoming wedding.
"I know," was Nico's reply.
☼
After returning Prince Will to Lord Apollo and Lord Hades, Nico went on a walk to clear his head. He was met on his way back by a servant who handed him his phone.
"I heard a rumor about you getting married. As your best friend, how come I wasn't told the good news first?" Jason's voice was loud and clear over the phone.
"It's not good news." Nico barely recognized his own voice.
"Is he not treating you well? Do you need me to knock some sense into him?" Jason sounded ready to fight a bitch. He was probably sharpening his sword as they spoke.
"No! It's not like that." Nico wondered if he would still have to marry Will if Jason fought Will. You couldn't marry someone who wasn't alive, and Jason's sword skills were killer.
"Then why aren't you happy?" Jason's voice sounded more thoughtful.
Nico lowered his eyes and stared at the ground beneath him. He'd be lying if he said he resented Will because they were being forced to get married.
Jason voice was soft. "Nico, Percy and Will are different people. Don't push him away just because Percy didn't return your feelings."
Nico let out a breath. His voice was shaky, so he nodded. "Thank you, Jason. You're a good friend."
Jason smiled as he hung up the phone after they said their goodbyes. Nico deserved some happiness.
☼
"You're late, Prince Nicolas." Lord Hades's voice was sharp. "Our guests have been waiting on you."
Prince Nico blushed as everyone turned to look at him. They were sitting around large diamond banquet table encrusted with onyx stones. Lord Hades dined at in the head of the table with Lady Persephone and Lady Demeter on his left, and Hazel and Frank on his right. Lord Apollo (who appreciated that he could see his reflection) sat at the other end with Prince Will on his left. The only empty seat was right next to said prince. The same prince Nico was trying to avoid. Nico had hoped dinner would be an excuse to not have to constantly look at Will. This seating arrangement wouldn't help much at all.
"Have you thought about redecorating? This decor is too gloomy to focus on enjoying a meal." Lady Demeter's voice was just a crisp, and judgemental as he remembered. He was thankful that the attention wasn't on him anymore, though.
"We'll redecorate one of these days. How have you been, Lady Demeter?" His father's voice was strained as he tried to deal with his difficult mother-in-law. Nico thought Lord Hades deserved it after screaming at him.
"How could I be fine when the crops are being killed by pollutants?" Everyone pretended to listen as she continued to rant about the lack of skillful farmers and the use of pesticides.
Lord Apollo agreed. "I hear what you're saying about the lack of skill these days. Besides myself, we haven't seen a talented poet or archer in my realm for years."
"It's the technology everyone relies on. No one values the fine arts anymore."Lady Demeter sighed.
Persephone spoke up. "Technology is very convenient for us, especially now that I'm running the flower shop and still preforming my duties as queen."
Lady Demeter turned to Lord Hades. "Is my daughter even getting time to rest?"
"Of course, mother. This are busy times in the realm, so I've been helping out more."
Lady Demeter didn't look convinced."No, you aren't fine. You have bags under your eyes for god's sake. If you are being overworked, you are more than welcome to come home with me.
"I know, Mother. I'm not being overworked."
Lord Hades used his most diplomatic voice. "I'd like to get back to dinner, if that's alright with you Lady Demeter."
"Stay out of this. This conversation is between me and my daughter."
"Yes, but it was at a family dinner, with guests present I might add."
Nico turned to look at Will who was watching the scene play out intently and trying to hide his growing smile.
"They'll be part of this family soon enough. Speaking of which, Persephonie and I put together some sample fower arrangements. You boys can look at them tomorrow. Have you decided on a theme?"
Everyone turned to look at Will and Nico. Nico shook his head.
Lady Demeter sighed loudly. "Lord Hades, I thought you were supervising the planning of the boys' wedding. I will have to oversee the wedding planning myself."
Lord Hades narrowed his eyes and spoke. "Will you actually be overseeing the planning or controling it as you always do?"
"I've never been controling in my life." Lady Demeter put on her most innocent face.
"Do you not remember Persephone and I's wedding? You practically were the bride and groom. All you needed to do was walk down the aisle."
"Did you not remember your wedding when you were cheating on my daughter?"
Every jaw at the table dropped as the room went silent.
Nico looked over to see Will shaking in an attempt to control his laughter.
Lord Hades' face was terrifyingly stoic as he spoke slowly and sharply. "Our marriage history has no business at this dinner table and you will not bring it up again." He inhaled sharply. "The point of this dinner was to get to know our guests. Lord Apollo, tell us more about yourself."
Lord Apollo grinned at being the center of attention and began talking about his favorite subject, himself.
Next to Nico, Prince Will rolled his eyes. Over the course of the meal, Will tried to avoid Lord Apollo signaling him to flirt with Prince Nico. Nico was being difficult to say the least, but Will would be lying if he said he didn't like it.
Dinner dragged on.
"We should toast to the new couple!" Everyone raised their glasses as Nico groaned internally. If he couldn't handle this, how would he live throught the wedding ceremony. His mental rant was ended by the sound of clinking glasses.
After dinner, Nico wanted nothing more to lay in his bed and pretend he was dead, but his father had other ideas.
"How did it go Nicolas?"
"You were present at dinner."
Lord Hades huffed impatiently. "I mean courting Prince William."
Nico wanted to give a snarky remark and call Will a bastard again, but father was already furious. "He's nicer than I thought."
"I told you." Lord Hades's expression softened. "I know you hate not having a say in your future husband, but one of these days you will be the ruler of the Underworld. Which is not easy, and you'll need someone like William by your side."
Nico nodded and diverted his gaze. He wasn't sure he could handle ruling the Underworld or marriage. It wasn't like he even had a choice in either matters.