the Crown of Edom {Solangelo Prince AU}

7. I Love Favors

   Nico has never been one to follow rules—including the rules he didn't know about.

Nico and Will had never exclusively hung out outside the lessons, but occasionally they would bump into each other and argue. Nico had even grown fond of those small meetings. However, it had been 2 days since being at the bar, and Will had been acting weird.

At the lessons, Will wouldn't argue back. It was like he was quiet and reserved all of the sudden, and if Nico were to complain, Will would just firmly ask him not to, instead of the usual harsh scolding.

Nico knew, deep in his stomach, that it was something at the bar. He had gone next door to the bar to get seeds waiting for Luke and Will to come up, and when they did, Will seemed more reserved than he usually was.

Nico wondered if Luke had said something and even asked him. Luke had simply said, "It's a shame some people hate us for loving who we are."

His stomach felt heavy. He was sick of everyone's beliefs.

But, as a King, he would need to be able to change them.

Nico throws open Will's door and enters with a mission, it barely being 5 AM yet, startling Will awake.

"Do you think I'm a demon?"

"What—"

"Do you think I'm a demon just because I like guys?" Nico puts his hands on his hips.

Will sighs, rubbing his eyes. "No, I do not think—"

"Sure, I'm mean, I'm disobedient, and I make perverted jokes, but I'm not a demon!"

"I know you are not a demon, Nico."

Nico fixes his coat and holds out his hand. "Get up and get ready."

Will blinks the sleep out of his eyes. "W-why?"

"Seeds!" He exclaims opening the palm of his hand.

"A-are you okay?"

"We're planting seeds," Nico says. "I don't mind gardening as I thought I did, but I can't do it on my own."

"Are the gardeners not around?"

"They don't start work until later."

"And why now?"

"Because I can't sleep. I haven't slept all night," Nico says. Will notices the bag under his eyes. "I've been fretting about being a king when everyone thinks I'm a demon. Nightmares."

"You cannot wait?"

"If I'm impulsive enough to choose to be king, I'm impulsive enough to plant things in my garden. You can't say no," Nico says.

"I-I don't think it is appropriate."

"It can double as one of our lessons for the day, if you must see it that way." Nico stares hard down at Will, making it evident he wouldn't quit.

Will sighs. "Fine. But I really do not think you should be in my room. I will meet you at the front door in 5 minutes"

"I don't pounce on every guy I meet, you know," Nico turns to head out. "I have self control. I respect who you are."

And with that, he shuts the door behind him.

—

"This is a perfect place!"

"No, you have to think of the roots."

"Screw the roots, I want it here," Nico plops on his knees in front of a clear round area of soil surrounded by other plants. He hands Will the seeds and begins digging with his hands.