𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟕𝟏// 𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝

When his eyes adjusted to the light, the first thing Will noticed was color. 

Paintings were lined on the walls, breathing vivid shades into the space. Statues stood guard, decorated with flowers. The chandelier above their heads covered the place with warmth. 

Every awful thing he had remembered about the Shade Kingdom throne room had been replaced with something beautiful. He couldn’t resist gawking at all of it. He finally managed to tear his eyes away and look to the throne. 

It had also been changed, now a beautiful pearl color. Hazel sat with her back straight and legs crossed, a professional smile on her face. She was wearing an elegant dark tunic and pants with riding boots. Her crown was crooked on her head, sitting atop her afro. 

The Shade court had gathered around the sides of the dais, careful not to stand on it, save for one person on the top step next to the throne. Will’s heart skipped a beat upon realizing exactly who it was. 

Nico had his hands clasped behind his back as he stood at attention, mirroring his sister’s smile. His ripped clothes and scuffed boots had been replaced with a finely tailored emerald shirt and black pants, his brown boots new and polished. His raven hair, now shoulder-length, was pulled back in a ponytail. Jewelry glittered on his neck and shirt, though he wore no crown, which Will supposed made sense–he hadn’t been crowned yet. He was usually tense, surveying for threats, but that tension was nowhere to be found. He looked calm. 

He looked beautiful. 

He looked at home. 

 Will nearly stumbled over his own feet, but managed to keep pace with his parents. The three bowed upon reaching the throne. Apollo smiled at Hazel and said, “Your Highness, it has been far too long. We are so glad to be here.” 

Hazel’s smile turned genuine. “I’m very glad you were able to make it.” 

“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Naomi said, blue eyes looking toward Nico, who gave her a shy smile. “The first Shade Crown Prince, after decades.” 

Hazel beamed. “We are writing history.” 

Will’s eyes strayed to Nico. Their gazes met, and lightning raced down his spine. He quickly dropped his gaze, face burning. 

Pleasantries were said and done, and the courts dispersed around him, his parents quickly leaving to go rest. Will couldn’t bring himself to move. Nico stayed where he was as well, as though not knowing what to do next. 

Lee gently pushed Will forward with an encouraging smile. Will stepped toward the dais and extended his hand. 

☀️☀️☀️

Nico’s heart was racing when the Aureoles appeared in the doorway. He lifted his chin and tried to calm down. 

As the royals talked, Nico’s gaze kept being drawn to Will. Their gaze met at one moment, though Will immediately looked away, his face reddening, and Nico smiled to himself. 

Nico was dimly aware of Hazel standing up to leave, of the nobility around him vanishing one by one. The Aureole King and Queen left, but Will stayed in place, looking at Nico with something he couldn’t read. His friends, gathered behind the prince, gave Nico grins. Will stepped to the foot of the dais and extended his hand to Nico, ocean eyes fixed on him. 

Will had changed since Nico had been gone. He was a healthy weight. His face was fuller, and the circles under his eyes weren’t so apparent. He was tanner as well, the scars on his face and wrists stark white against his bronze skin. One hand held his cane, the other still held out to Nico. His hair fell past his shoulders in gold ringlets. Despite his dusty traveling clothes and the exhaustion evident in his face, Will looked as lovely as ever.  

Nico hesitated, before taking his hand, and Will gently pulled him off the dais, not taking his eyes off him. He squeezed Nico’s hand and lifted it up, his mouth brushing against Nico's knuckles; when he raised his eyes, they were full of affection. “I’m happy to see you, my love.” His mouth twitched. “Or should I be calling you Your Highness?” 

Nico laughed, before pulling him into a hug, nearly sweeping him off his feet, the cane clattering to the floor. Will’s hands were in his hair, undoing his ponytail. Then his mouth was on Nico’s, and his heart nearly stopped. He could hear his friends laughing, but he didn’t care; all he cared about was Will in his arms. 

They pulled away, and Nico gave a breathless grin as he set Will back down, keeping him steady as the prince picked up his cane. When he straightened, Nico managed to say, “I’m so glad you’re here.” 

Then his friends from the Aureole Kingdom were crowding around him, nearly tackling him in hugs. He laughed again, this time louder, before exchanging hugs and hellos. 

“Will!” Reyna materialized next to Solace, playfully grabbing him and shaking him. “Do you know how much we missed you?” she exclaimed over his laughter. “Do you know how much Nico missed you? He went on and on about you. Will this and Will that. I nearly threw him out a window.” 

“Hey,” Nico complained over the others’ laughter. 

“You know it’s true!” 

They attempted small talk, but the poor Aureoles were too tired to keep up a conversation, so he shooed them away and told them to go to bed. They all rolled their eyes and teased him, but ended up leaving anyway. Nico realized that he and Will were the only ones left in the throne room. 

Will took his hand again and gave a tired but happy smile. “Can I sleep with you?” he asked quietly. His voice had become hoarse; the poor thing was probably dehydrated. 

Nico dropped his gaze, staring at their linked hands. “I would love that, but the servants will be coming to my chambers pretty early tomorrow.” 

Will scoffed. “Who cares if they catch me in there? They already know we’re courting.” 

Courting. That once was a phrase that they had thrown around carelessly, but ever since Nico had chosen to become prince, it had taken on a new meaning for him, though he couldn’t quite put it into words. Hearing it from Will’s mouth made him feel warm. 

“You can sleep with me,” he said gently. 

☀️☀️☀️ 

Will quickly bathed and threw on the nightclothes Nico had let him borrow. When he stumbled out into the bedroom, Nico was waiting, though clearly struggling to stay awake. Will crawled into bed and wrapped his arms around him. 

“Go to sleep,” he whispered, smiling. “You have a big day tomorrow, Your Majesty.” 

“Stop calling me that,” Nico grumbled, before dozing off seconds later. 

Will stared at the ceiling, more than content to simply lie there. But exhaustion soon crept in, and he sank into sleep. 

He was back in his lover’s arms. That’s all that mattered.