the Crown of Edom {Solangelo Prince AU}

13. i cannot mourn love.

   Will circles Nico, who's standing in the middle of the training. Nico tries not to follow Will's gaze until he comes back around.

"I have one single complaint."

Nico relaxes, taking a deep sigh. "Are you kidding me?"

"You are too devastatingly handsome," Will smirks. Nico rolls his eyes and pushes the boy lightly.

   "So I was fine?"

Will nods. "Before, you lacked passion. Now..." his eyes are soft and stay on Nico's. "You want this."

Nico holds his breath. "I do."

Will takes Nico's hand. "One more week, you will become king."

Nico smiles sadly. "Bittersweet, isn't it?"

The door rattles with a knock. Will turns to answer, opening the door to a servant holding an envelope. The servant grins and offers it to Will, who takes it in his hands. Will thanks her and closes the door to the training room.

Nico stares at himself in the mirror, standing straight and observing himself. Will leans against the wall, tearing back the paper. Nico happily turns but becomes hesitant when he sees the look on Will's face—his eyebrows furrowed, his eyes glossed over, his lips pressed tightly in confusion.

"I-is everything alright?" Nico asks.

Will tilts his head and looks up at Nico. "You sent my family money?"

Nico's stomach drops. "W-well, yeah, but that was before we were together," he stutters.

Will's face is unreadable as his eyes trace the pages.

"Please don't be mad," Nico worries. "I wasn't taking pity. I just liked you and I wanted to make sure you had nothing to worry—"

Just then, Will surged toward, wrapping his arms around Nico.

"Thank you," he whispers, tightening his arms around Nico's waist.

Nico, taken off guard, slowly rests his hands around Will's neck. "You're not upset?"

Will pulled away. "No," he whispers. "My family means the world to me."

Nico's eyes sparkle. "What are they like?"

Will smiles. "Loud," he chuckles softly. "The youngest, Kayla, is obsessed with dirt. Austin is the youngest boy, and he strictly likes to read. Mary is obsessed with hating dirt. Michael, the oldest, is the nosiest person ever. And father is not shy at all, he treats everybody like his own."

Nico stands on his toes. "I want to meet them."

Will's eyes widen. "Really?"

"You've practically already put a ring on it," Nico laughs gently. "I want to meet them."

Will brushes a strand of hair away from Nico's face. "It would make it all harder."

"I don't care. I want enough memories to remember you for the rest of my life," Nico wiggles his eyebrows, "plus, I'm the prince."

Will brings Nico in. "Very well then."

"Let's leave now," Nico whispers against his lips. "It would just be a day's travel, wouldn't it? Luke must be getting back soon."

Will smirks and slips his hand into Nico's—where it belongs. "I have never brought anyone home before."

Nico kisses Will's cheek. "Good thing I'm not just anyone."