the Crown of Edom {Solangelo Prince AU}

24. How Scandalous of You

   "Is he still in there?" Jason asks.

   Will cringes and nods. From the counsel room where meetings for laws usually go down, stern yelling surfaces.

   Percy's arm hooks into Jason's. "I tried convincing him that we could just get married," Percy says. "And then me and Jason could do our thing while the two of you do your thing. But he refused. He wants to marry you and only you. Something about the sanctity of marriage."

   "I want to marry him as well," Will bows his head. "But I doubt the law advisors would ever approve."

A crash comes from inside the room. "My brother shall marry whoever he pleases!" yells Hazel's muffled voice.

"Change isn't easy," Will shrugs. "But Nico isn't just doing this for us. Maybe other kingdoms won't be so afraid to marry as they please. All it takes is one to create a domino effect."

Percy looks at Jason solemnly. "Maybe they have a point," he whispers.

Jason's face goes red as he turns to look at him. "W-what?"

"So we don't have to hide when we go back to Atlantis," Percy blinks, and then immediately regrets it. "U-uh, I mean, I didn't mean when, but you know, if. If that's what you want...I mean, what are we?"

Will tries to suppress his smile as Jason stares back at Percy with a mixture of fear and confusion.

Jason doesn't have to answer that question, much to his thankfulness, when the door finally opens. Nico and Hazel walk out, dusting off their clothes, and look somewhat self-assured. Bianca follows after them, disoriented from what went down.

"Good news," Hazel grins.

"We can change the standing marriage law," Nico cheers. "The only thing is..."

Will runs to Nico, interlocking their fingers. "Is?"

"The kingdom is alone. My father tore down our standing alliances. It wouldn't be smart to make such a decision as we are," Nico says slowly.

   "That can be easily solved," Percy says. "I will send a note back home. I'm sure Reyna and Leo will also be willing to sign onto an alliance."

   "We shall set up a meeting with them," Hazel nods.

   Will smirks and looks over at Nico. "If you'll excuse us," he says. They all nod contently, and Will drags off Nico.

   "Where are you taking me?" Nico whispers.

   "Oh, nowhere," he whispers back.

   Nico's heart swells in love, his heart beating fast. Will had been taking care of him, reading to him, dancing with him the entire time he was healing. He realized more and more everyday that Will was his soulmate, that the world should know it was possible for such love to exist. He never compromised himself for anyone, and he wouldn't do it to be king. But he also wouldn't give up the crown for anything, so the two would have to learn to coexist. So, he made them coexist.

   Nico was aware of the easy way out, to marry one of his friends just for legal reasons. But he had made a promise to Will—if he survived, he would marry him. And so he will.

  Will drags him all the way to his room.

   "Oh, in the middle of the afternoon, how scandalous of you," Nico giggles.

   Will grins as he pushes a chair to the window, cocking it open. Nico looks up at him curiously, but slowly walks over.

   "We won't be doing any of that yet," he says. "Not until you're sure that you're fine."

   "I feel very fine."

   Will offers a hand. Nico meets their palms as Will helps him onto the chair, and lifts him out of the window, following after. Nico climbs out onto a wide ledge, sitting with his legs crossed. In the distance, the rolling lands were visible. And so was the Hyacinth that they had planted. It was cloudy, the smell of rain threatened the air, and Nico slid in next to Will for warmth.

   "I went to town this morning," Will says in a calm voice. "They are calling you the Ghost King, as you've lived past such...uh, misfortunes."

   "I like it," Nico's face slowly breaks out into a grin. "Way better than 'spawn of satan', that is."

   Will takes a deep breath. "I am not good at expressing myself," he frowns.

   "No, you aren't," Nico snorts.

   "But I want to tell you something," Will turns, holding Nico's hands tightly.

   Nico blinks slowly.

   "The past couple of months have been a fight," he slowly says. "one that I have almost given up. One that you have pulled me back to, rightfully so. I feared what you made me feel, as I have never felt it, and I know I will never feel it with anyone else, and I also knew I never could get what I wanted. That feeling burrowed into the core of my heart, in every fiber of my being, and made me yours, truly and forever, yours.
   It possessed me with a fire, burning in my lungs so deeply, that I could only accept your breath as mine to live. That is when we began to burn the same, my love. Whenever I hold your hand, I hold my own. Whenever I dance with you, I move with my shadow. You have healed me, your love so strong that I have felt it as my own for myself. And I can only hope for you to take my love the same, to feel it as your own, to heal yourself with it. I am not myself without you, my prince. I will never be the same without you. Living as one is what marriage is. I wish for you to know that we are one, my prince, and I could not be more excited to be your king."

   Nico wipes a tear that had slipped down his cheek mid-monologue. "W-well that was pretty good," he laughs nervously, throwing his arms around Will. "I love you, too."

   Will tugs Nico a bit closer, their lips connecting like puzzle pieces, as they always should have.

—

hey guys ! new fanfic called 'summer nights' is out if you want to check it out, and if you already have, here's a cookie for you 🍪

sorry it took me awhile to post this chappie and for it being so short

but n e way, here's this for now ! xx

have a good day/night!