are you mine[?]

.seize.

Patroclus regretted that Nico's closet was where they were looking for Leo's clothes. There were barely any colored articles and where they were were where his formal clothes were.

While they looked, Patroclus threw clothes for themselves onto the chair and arranged five outfits. Leo's was the last to be arranged. When they were done, the outfits were something like this.

Piper's: loose gray t-shirt with teal floral designs and black leggings with gray memory foam sneakers. Black winter coat.

Jason's: purple t-shirt with dark blue jeans, gray sneakers, and a gray coat.

Leo's: maroon t-shirt, light wash jeans (from Patroclus's closet from when he was thirteen), a light brown coat, and red sneakers.

Patroclus and Nico managed to climb into bed, exhausted. It was a rare occurrence for that to happen, but Patroclus hadn't ever done so much in one day. Nico evidently hadn't either.

But that night, Patroclus fell asleep fairly quickly that night, his fingers entwined with Nico's, both on opposite sides of the bed.

He slept deeply, with no dreams, Morpheus having mercy on him.

For once.

}{}{}{

Patroclus woke up to the sun shining into his eyes. He squinted and sat up. Nico shifted in the bed beside him, rolling back over into the covers.

He checked his clock. It was already eight am. Patroclus nodded to himself and got up, then tucked Nico back in and went to change. He had a green tunic and black pants with black shoes and a gold and gray cloak. When he had laid his laurel in his hair, he shook Nico awake. The son of Hades sat up, looking bewildered.

"Time to wake up," Patroclus said with a soft grin.

Nico rubbed his eyes and yawned. Then he climbed out of bed with his hair sticking up over his head like he'd been electrocuted. He stumbled behind the divider and came out a few minutes later, his hair flattened and wearing a deep violet sweater, black pants, and black leather boots. He seemed to be considering his aviator's jacket, but decided against it, walking out with Patroclus.

The three campers were wearing their laid out clothes, looking refreshed and no longer sleep-deprived.

"Breakfast," Patroclus said gleefully. "Are you hungry? I'm hungry."

Piper managed a smile when a guard came up to them and whispered in Patroclus's ear.

"The crown is ready."

"Bring it," Patroclus murmured.

The guard left them and Patroclus and Nico shared a look. The son of Hades led the demigods to the dining hall and Patroclus fixed himself and made sure he could eat and usher the demigods into the throne room with a view well enough in the crowd of advisors and regents to crown Nico.

He hurried after them and told them to eat fast. The three obviously had questions, but didn't raise them and stayed quiet. Nico finished quickly and Patroclus allowed him to shadow travel to change. When Patroclus was done, he told the trio that they only had a few more minutes, and then to follow Louis, who would bring them to their spots in the crowd.

Then he left them, clocking his fingers for a different tunic. A white tunic was brought to him and he changed, then attached his cloak to his tunic again and hurried to the throne room.

"Hades! Hades, your son is about to be crowned, come here!" Patroclus muttered frantically. The servants were hurrying around, preparing seats for Reginald and others, and visitor thrones were being brought in for Hades and Persephone.

Finally, the gods arrived. Patroclus gestured for them to make a grand entrance when everyone had arrived, then waited.

The regents and advisors came first. Then came the people, filing in like they had for Patroclus's coronation. Finally, the gods entered, looking regal and powerful. Patroclus indicated their thrones and Hades tilted his head politely. Then, just before Nico, a young man walked up the hall with the red cushion, carrying the silver and obsidian crown. It was a stereotypical shape, but it emanated power, which meant it had been enchanted by a child of Hecate.

Then, finally, Nico walked up the carpet, wearing a black chiton, belted at the waist with black cord, black leather sandals, and a black cloak, looking powerful and very much his part. Patroclus stood and greeted Nico. He lifted the crown and the lines in the prophecy echoed in his head.

The king of men shall hold the crown,
Down within the princess's town

The door banged open. There stood Praetor Ramirez-Arellano. Louis pushed the demigods back, hiding Jason from sight in the large crowd.

"Praetor," Patroclus called. "How nice of you to join us for the crowning of the Ghost King."

"King Patroclus," the praetor greeted. "I wouldn't miss it. Too bad it was hasty and I'm underdressed. Please, continue."

Patroclus turned back to Nico, laying the crown on the kneeling boy's head. The black hair curled around the edges of the crown beautifully, and he stood, taking Patroclus hand.

"Nico di Angelo!" Patroclus shouted. "Son of the god of the dead, the Ghost King! Lone traveler of the Labyrinth! Achilles reborn! Rise, Ghost King, and be strong."

Nico allowed his hands to be lifted. Applause echoed, and Patroclus smiled at his soulmate.

"It was far less dramatic for me," he murmured.

"I doubt that," Nico snarked back quietly.

Patroclus have Louis a pointed look, and the regent took his cue and led the questers from the room discreetly. Once they were out, the festivities commenced.

}{}{}{

Wow. I'm sorry this took me so long. I'm almost 12 hours late. I'm also sorry this is so dramatic.