Work Text:
One: Snowhite AU (Huntsman Nico x Prince Will)
Will was running in the forest as the shadows chased for him. He knew the prince, his cousin (kinda), Octavian ordered one of his best huntsmen, Nico di Angelo, to chase after him. Honestly? He didn’t care whether he died because right now, he felt so numb.
He felt so betrayed. He thought he and Nico had something! Nico even said he hated Octavian once, and now his shadows were chasing him due to a decree by Octavian. What if Nico was merely playing with his feelings all this time?
Will was in such deep thoughts that he tripped on a tree branch, making him facepalm on the ground. Immediately, he heard Nico’s voice boom through the forest, “Will!” What Will did not understand was the worry in his voice. Soon enough, Nico was kneeling in front of him, the same worry found in his eyes, “Why did you run? You didn’t actually think I’ll kill you, did you?” With that, Nico had a sad smile on his face.
It was rare for the other boy to smile, so when Will saw it, as sad as it may be, Will smiled back, “Y-you weren’t?”
Nico held back a sob as he traced Will’s freckles, “Of course not. I love you, and I hate Octavian. What other proof do you need?”
Will’s eyes widened, grabbing Nico’s hand, then squeezing it for support, “But if you don’t kill me, you’ll die. Octavian would make sure of it.”
Nico let out a shaky breath, “I know…” He paused, trying to keep himself together before speaking again, “But it’s going to be worth it to know that you’d be alive. You could train and someday… Take the throne away from his hands.”
Will shook his head, squeezing Nico’s hand once again, “No-... I-...” He swallowed before finally speaking again, “Come with me, we could just run away from this kingdom… Together. I don’t need a title, I just need you.”
Nico shook his head, “I can’t. Octavian would never stop looking for us… All the surrounding kingdoms are his allies… No place is safe, William. This is the only way.” Will didn’t want to believe what he was hearing, but then Nico smirked, “Don’t worry about me, I’m not going down without a fight.”
Will scoffed, “Against Octavian’s whole army?”
Nico sighed, “It’s worth a shot.” Will wanted to say so many more words, but then, horse hooves could be heard in the distance as Octavian shouted, “Di Angelo! Have you killed my wrenched cousin yet?”
Nico frantically helped him up, pushing him to the opposite direction, “Go! Run!”
Will didn’t want to but Nico determinedly held onto his Stygian sword, preparing for a battle. For a second, Nico noticed that Will still wasn’t moving. At that, Nico summoned a shadow and pushed Will slowly into it, “I’ll find you if I survive.”
Will’s eyes widened as he realized what Nico was doing, but he was too late, he couldn’t fight as the shadows held tightly onto him, teleporting him away. So, he did the only thing he could do before he lost sight of Nico, “I love you, deathboy.” He sobbed. Nico heard this and gave him a final smile.
Will never heard from Nico again. That may be, but Nico’s death is what led to Will training as hard as he could with 7 of the most powerful demigods he has met so he could take the throne away from Octavian’s undeserving hands.
Two: Dead Percy AU (Demigod of the Prophecy Nico)
Percy has died after he made the volcano explode. The thing is, Percy’s death had relaxed the Titan army, thinking that there was no more threat, so, the Battle of Manhattan was delayed by 4 years. Just enough time for Nico to turn 16.
Nico was devastated to hear of the news, and spent the first 2 years training in the Underworld before the said battle, until it hitted him straight in the chest. He was now the child of the prophecy. As much as he hated his fate, Nico knew that he shouldn’t let his anger be the end of the demigods. They were all relying on him now, so he had to go back to camp and talk to Chiron about this.
What he didn’t expect was to be accepted once he came to camp. Well, it wasn’t like that at first. Everyone was still afraid of him… Well, everyone but a certain annoying son of Apollo named Will Solace. Eventually, Will has managed to soften Nico up, and they even fell for one another… bad. Once he learned to finally open up again which took probably a year and a half, everyone at camp seems to think of Nico as cool. Maybe all he needed all this time was to let go and let people in.
Then came the battle of Manhattan. He and Will had finally gotten together just before he took a dip on the Styx, and his relationship with Will? Well, it was what kept him from giving in while he was in the Styx.
The battles they fought were all going well until someone got too close to his Achilles Heel. Now, he didn’t tell Will where his Achilles Heel is exactly for this reason, and yet somehow, Will saved him… And honestly? It shouldn't have surprised Nico. The boy was willing to do anything for him.
They were in the midst of battle in Central Park, shoulder to shoulder. Nico told Will to stay safe by staying with the other medics, but Will refused to leave his side despite his invincibility. Will was just stubborn that way.
Anyway, Nico was summoning skeletons to his aid as he swung his Stygian sword, never missing a monster while Will stayed on his side, switching from throwing knives and using his bow. Just as the monsters began to thin out though, Ethan surprised him with an attack which was supposed to hit him straight to his weak spot if Will, that idiot, didn’t block the way.
Ethan’s sword went straight through Will’s chest, piercing his heart. Will screamed in agony as Nico watched, feeling as if he was the one being stabbed. Then, Ethan pulled the sword out with a smirk on his face, and that was the breaking point. Nico pointed his hand at Ethan with all his grief and anger, letting it go with one push of his powers, “Begone.” Then suddenly, Ethan’s body withered as his soul passed the Underworld in a matter of seconds.
Nico immediately kneeled down beside Will, tears forming in his eyes, knowing that this was incurable… He could already feel Will’s soul fighting to be let go, “Dam it, Solace. Why did you do that?”
Will chuckled, then coughed out blood, “You’re the demigod of the prophecy. You had to live. ”
Nico shook his head, unable to keep the tears at bay anymore, “But at what cost? I'm invincible! Will- I can’t lose you… I- I’ve already lost so much.”
Will gave Nico a sad smile, “I know you Nico. I know how you think enough to find out where your heel would be." He took a shuddering breath that pained Nico to watch before continuing,"I’ll wait for you, darling, but now… You must save the world. Promise me, you’d save Olympus… You won’t turn on them because of my death. Swear it.”
Nico sobbed, looking straight into Will’s begging eyes that were filled with affection directed at him, “I promise… I swear on the Styx.”
Thunder rumbled in the background as Will smiled, using the last of his strength to lift his hand and cup Nico’s cheek, “I love you…” Then his hand went limp, leaving Nico a sobbing mess.
Eventually, Nico kept his promise and preserved Olympus. When Zeus offered him immortality though, he immediately shot the offer down. Someone was, after all, waiting for him on the other side… And he can’t get there if he was immortal.
Three: Rival Kingdoms AU (Prince Nico x Prince Will)
Nico and Will were the Princes of two kingdoms, the problem was their fathers hated each other, thus, they were on the brink of war while the two princes struggled to keep their romance from fogging their decisions.
They knew that this was only going to lead to heartache eventually, with their kingdom states and all, but they both thought that it was better that they tried to make it work than regret it later. So, they had their relationship in secret.
Everything was as fine as it gets, until things got out of hand and now they were in a battlefield, forced to fight each other as fighting ranged around them. Both boys swung their swords sloppily, not really wanting to hurt the other.
Eventually, Nico accidentally grazed at Will’s arm, his eyes widening in fear, “I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
But Will waved him off, trying to plaster a smile on his face, “It’s alright, it’s not as bad as it looks.”
Nico shrugged, half-heartedly swinging his sword, “I hate that we’re forced to fight one another…”
Will sighed, easily deflecting his attack, “Me too… I really thought our fathers could learn to accept it when they found out we were together. I’m sorry I suggested it.”
Nico rolled his eyes, finally smiling back, “It’s alright, you were just trying for peace. You didn’t really expect for it to lead to… well…” He gestured around them. Nico and Will both laughed at that, and it felt good despite the battle still ranging around them.
Will sighed, “I think we should get back to ‘fighting’.” He quoted the words with his fingers, and Nico laughed once again, raising his sword, “Yeah, I guess so.” They were about to begin again when suddenly, an arrow hit Nico straight in the chest. The two boys gasped in shock.
Nico looked down then back up at Will with a forced smile, "Looks like this how it ends, huh?"
Will refused to believe that. He was not going to lose Nico. He was about to suggest bringing him to the sick bay when two more arrows pierced the already injured Prince, one on the shoulder blade then one straight through his skull.
"No" Will whispered in disbelief.
Nico, despite being on the verge of death, managed to capture Will's eyes with his. It was apologetic and filled with sadness, "I'm sorry… I love you." He said with his final breath. Then the boy tumbled down, his sword and body hitting the ground.
Will was numb for a while but one glance at Nico's lifeless body, then suddenly he felt grief and anger. He looked around to search for the source of the arrows, only to find Octavian (that show-off), with his bow still up, smirking at them, “You’re holding your punches, Solace.”
Will gritted his teeth, but decided to kneel down onto Nico’s dying form, already feeling the tears forming in his eyes. This was my fault. Was the thought that came into Will’s mind. If only I kept my mouth shut.
“Nico?”
But Nico was already dead. There was no light in his eyes, and Will just couldn’t bear to live anymore, not without Nico.
Will looked around him and realized how exhausted he was of war. Why couldn’t there just be peace? Why couldn't the world just be filled with love? Will just doesn’t understand the essence of all this, and that’s when he realized he wasn’t fit for this world.
He looked down at Nico, and Will gently closed the dead boy’s eyes, knowing that his only purpose of living… Well, he's right in front of him and he's gone. It’s time for him to be gone too.
So, Will took his sword then pierced through his chest, directly stabbing his heart. Then, just to make sure he cannot be revived, he used the last of his strength to pull the sword out despite the pain he already felt.
He slumped beside Nico and he smiled at the sight as he intertwined his hand with Nico’s limp ones. At least he’d die beside the one he loved, hand-in-hand.
Four: Assassins AU (Assassin Nico x Doctor Will)
Sometimes Nico wonders why he kept living this life in the first place. Sure, at first, it was just his way to get over his grief, but when he wanted to pull away, he found himself in too deep, and since then, he didn’t give it a second thought.
Well, that is until Nico fell in love with this goodie-two-shoes doctor who, of course, he has warned of the dangers of dating him, but stubbornly insisted that he doesn’t care.
“I’ll be fine.” Will had said, “I know you’ll always be there for me. Love is worth the risk.” He insisted, and even though he was a dork… Nico gods dam loved him.
Why is he even worrying? It’s been years and they were already married, and so far… Will was still safe and sound. Nico should’ve known better though, he shouldn’t have jinxed it because then, he got a phone call from an unknown number.
Usually, he wasn’t afraid of these. He gets a ton of phone calls from those who either wanted to hire him or take revenge on him, but so far? No one actually ends up hurting him. He does have a gang of other assassins who have his back such as Percy, Jason, Annabeth, and Reyna. They were the most skilled that Nico knew of.
Nico snapped himself out of his thoughts and answered his phone with a shrug, “Who are you and what do you want?” He said nonchalantly.
He heard a series of, “Mmmph mmmphh.” from a voice that sounded all familiar, it caused dread to spread within him. “Will?!”
The owner of the phone began laughing, telling him to watch the screen since he’s about to turn on the camera. He gasped when he saw who it was: Bryce Lawrence. That boy was always upto no good, and somehow, he hates Nico the most. Nico looked at Will who was tied up in a chair and had fear in his eyes.
Nico wanted to jump through the camera and come to Will’s aid, but he tried to keep a straight face, trying to look unfazed. It’s the only way Bryce may spare Will, “Don’t drag him into this, Bryce.”
And as Nico said it, he was secretly sending the call’s number to Leo, our technology guy, so he could help him pin Will’s location.
Bryce snickered, “But why not? My dream was always to see the great Nico di Angelo suffer.”
Nico gritted his teeth, hoping Leo would get on with it, “Then make me suffer, kill me if you want! Just… just let him go.”
Bryce smirked, “So… He is important to you.” He tsked a few times before pulling out a knife from his pocket, “Remember one of the important rules in being an assassin?” Then so much happened at once.
Leo replied with an address only a few blocks away… Bryce placed the knife on Will’s throat, making Nico stagger in panic, “Stop! Don’t!”
Bryce gave him an evil smile, “That rule Nico di Angelo is-” Nico dropped his phone and tried to make a run for the location, hoping that he’d get there on time. When he found the warehouse, Nico somehow found the strength to barge the door open, “Bryce!” Nico already had his gun in hand.
Bryce laughed like a maniac, “This is why assassins shouldn’t get attached.” He dragged the dagger a little across Will’s neck so, Nico stepped forward, his gun hand shaking, “Keep going and I’ll shoot!”
Bryce just smirked, “Don’t you see, di Angelo? My only dream is to see you suffer, so die may I go, at least my last sight is…” He shocked Nico by not completing his sentence and immediately deepening the knife and effectively cutting at Will’s throat. Nico felt himself pull the trigger in panic.
The bullets hit Bryce, one on the head, the shoulder, then the chest. As the boy slumped to the floor, he dropped his knife, now filled with Will’s blood as he muttered with his last breath, “Such satisfaction.” Nico kicked his body away so that he could get to Will.
Will was slowly becoming unconscious as Nico tried to undo his bonds, “Solace… Solace! No, no, no, stay awake… Please. ”
Will fluttered his eyes open, their color becoming dull, “He hit a nerve that connects to the heart…”
Tears began to well up in Nico’s eyes as memories of his sister’s death flashed in his thoughts. He doesn't think he can handle losing another person close to him, so as he unties Will he brings him into the floor, placing Will’s head in his lap, clutching on him tightly yet gently, not wanting to worsen his husband’s wound, “No, no, no… Will I can’t lose you too… Please, please, please…”
But he knew enough about killing people to know that Will really had no more chance of living, so he just held Will in his arms as Will told him, “I’m so sorry… I promise I’ll stay.” his voice was ragged, and Nico could tell he was suffering, using up his final breaths.
So, Nico attempted to shush him, “It’s alright, please stop talking. I want more time with you.”
Will nodded, as his breaths became dangerously uneven. That’s when the tears fell. Will looked up at him and even thought he was dying, his gaze was still filled with affection, showing Nico that he regretted nothing about this relationship, that he was, and forever will be loved, even if he wouldn’t be there.
Nico lets out a sob, finally saying, “I love you.” They were married for a long time now, but Nico refused to speak those words because he was afraid of the pain it may bring. But now, facing the life and death of the person he loved, he wished he had said it more…
Will smiled at that as if finally satisfied and ready to move on. Will may be ready but Nico wasn’t. Sadly, Nico couldn’t do anything about it. He was a killer, Will was the healer. So, when Will looked up at him with a nod, he knew what was going to happen next, and Nico just stared helplessly.
“I love you too.” Was the blonde’s last words before he went limp, and suddenly Nico was numb. How could he keep going after this?
Five: Mortal AU + Coma AU (Doctor Will)
It wasn’t fair. Nico and Will have been dating since they were in high-school, and a month just before they got married, Nico just had to get hit by a truck and get a head injury, leaving him in a coma. So, here Will was now. At Nico’s bed side, feeling so helpless.
He was a doctor! He should be able to heal his fiance- But alas, he knew that even the best doctors had encountered death in their hands here and there. Only, this was different. This was his fiance .
It’s been a week, and Nico still hasn’t woken up. Will knew he had to get back to his life. Nico wasn’t his only patient, but he can’t find it in himself to leave his loved one alone. It aches Will’s heart to see Nico so limp- So devoid of life.
Will sighed, missing the sarcasm and the bantering. The silence of the room wasn’t helping with his overthinking, but what can he even do? He already prayed to all the gods he could think of- The Greek ones that Nico loved so much, and the God that his mom has taught him to worship as a kid, but no one seems to be listening.
Will tried his best to stay positive though, he knew that Nico would want that. So, everyday, he would come up with ways to entertain Nico’s comatose form, and distract his own overbearing thoughts.
Sometimes, he would bring a ukulele and sing Nico’s favorite song. Sometimes, he would write a poem then read them out loud to Nico. Then sometimes, he’d simply bring his laptop to play a movie, pretending that Nico was watching too, making sarcastic comments.
Nico would get visits… Sometimes from his sister, Hazel, then there were his friends, Reyna, mostly came. Then, of course his father, Hades. He may look intimidating, but he and Will grew to have a great relationship.
It was the day of his ‘supposedly’ wedding day when Will took Nico’s vitals and realized how this whole situation wasn’t just unfair, it was evil. Why? Because, on that day, Will realized that Nico’s vitals would not stabilize any longer, even with the help of the IV connected to him and the medicines given.
With dread, Will realized that nothing is going to be enough any longer because Nico’s body was failing, and his immune system was getting ready to shut down as if welcoming death. So, his choices were to either wait longer, or to end his fiance’s suffering by finally, giving the IV up.
Will didn’t want this decision on his shoulder. Fortunately, it wasn’t for him to make. So, he called Hazel and Nico’s father. At first, he was afraid that they’d blame him, but as soon as they got there, Hazel hugged him, “Oh Will, I’m so sorry.”
Will chuckled shakily at that, “Looks like the fates hate me.” Hazel just said soothing words after that. When we pulled away, Hades was observing Nico’s body with a frown and hint of sadness in his eyes. He wasn’t good at showing his emotions, but Will has learned to read his supposedly soon-to-be-father-in-law through the years.
Hades sighed, the weight of the situation evident in his eyes, to Will, at least. He offered him a sad smile, “You tried your best, didn’t you?”
Will nodded, trying to avoid the tears from falling, “Of course.” His voice was hoarse, but could you blame him?
Hades nodded, giving Nico’s form a final pained look before turning back to Will, “End his misery for all of us, okay?”
Will swallowed, a few tears slipping passed his eyes, “W-would you stay and watch?”
Hades shook his head, “It’s as painful as it is. Plus, I assume you want to give him some final words and hope?”
Will swallowed again but nodded, not stopping the tears this time around. Hades nodded towards him before approaching a door, “William?”
Will turned to him, “Yeah?”
Hades managed a smile, “Don’t be a stranger.” Then he left, leaving Will alone with Nico like all those days the past month. Only, this wasn’t like any of these days because today, Will was tasked to remove that one thing keeping Nico from dying, and though he knew that even if he didn’t Nico would die anyway, it still hurt.
Will approached the IV but hesitated, taking a sit beside Nico first, holding onto his hand tightly, remembering how some coma patients can hear you, “Hey Nico, are you listening? Please, give me a sign.”
Will paused but nothing happened. That was when he knew it was hopeless, but it didn’t stop him from saying goodbye. The world owes him at least that. The tears finally rolled down freely from Will’s eyes as he squeezed Nico’s hand, “Nico, I love you, you know that, right? I don’t want to do this, but keeping you alive is only cruel… Selfish even. You deserve to move on, a-and hopefully find a happy afterlife.”
Will stopped as he began sobbing. He rubbed circles around Nico’s hands, but it was more for his comfort than the other’s, “It’s not fair! Why did it have to be today?! W-we should be saying our vows by now, and yet here we are… Here I am. Saying goodbye instead of making a promise.” Will took a breath to give himself a little calm before continuing, “But you know what? I’m making a promise anyway… Nico, I will never forget you. I’d live my life and keep going once I find my footing again because I know that’s what you would want for me.”
This time, he lets out a humorless laugh, “I don’t know how I’ll manage, but I’ll live… For both of us. Just, wait for me wherever you go, okay? I’ll keep your memory running here, but please never forget me too…” That’s when Will faltered, knowing he can’t say anymore. So, he took one deep breath as he managed a really sad and heartbreaking, “I love you so much.”
He didn’t know why he expected a response, but of course there was none. Will sighed, dreading what’s to come next. He stood up, and reached for the IV, looking down at Nico, “Please, give me a sign that you’re here and I’ll stop… You know I don’t want to do this. Don’t make me do this. ”
Again, Nico stayed limp, but Will counted to a minute, holding onto the little hope he had left. When the count to 60 was over, more tears spilled from Will’s eyes. He knew it was over as his hands became shaky from finally removing the IV, “I love you, Nico.” he whispered. It only took a few minutes before the heart machine sounded, signaling a flat line. Will didn’t stop crying even after.
Plus One: Canon Timeline
It’s been years since their quest to Tartarus, and though they still get nightmares from time to time, both of them were okay because they had each other. They both finished college, got married, adopted a child, and Nico was currently an instructor while Will became a doctor.
Their life was pretty peaceful in New Rome, and the world has seemed to quiet down a bit. Sure, there were quests here and there, but none were really as life threatening since Nero and his crew.
Anyway, it was their day off and their adopted child: A daughter of Demeter that they named Bianca who was currently 5 years-old, decided to disturb their well-deserved sleep at 8 am. Bianca jumped onto the bed, “Papa, Dad! Come on! Come on! It’s your Day off! Let’s do something fun!”
Will chuckled, effectively getting woken up as the light sleeper he was, “Okay, okay Bianca calm down.” he then paused, crossing his arms, “And what did I say about jumping on beds?”
Bianca stopped jumping and went to hug his dad, “I’m sorry! I’m just so excited to have you both today!”
Will chuckled, patting her head, “And filled with energy to expend, I see.” Will then pointed at Nico, “Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but your Papa’s going to be tough to wake.”
Bianca giggled mischievously, “Is that so?” She then hopped on top of Nico, making the other boy groan but not really waking him. Bianca took that as a sign to tickle his Papa as she shouted, “Papa! Papa! Wake up! Wake up! You can’t waste your day sleeping again!” Bianca then tickled Nico more furiously, finally effectively waking Nico up in a fit of giggles.
Nico then wrapped his arm around his daughter to stop her, “Hey! What was that for? Don’t you know it’s rude to wake people when they’re sleeping?”
Bianca then pointed towards Will, “Daddy allowed me to.”
Nico rolled his eyes, giving his husband a half-hearted glare, “You’re a bad influence.”
Will snorted, “At least I don’t give her sweets every single day.”
Nico chuckled, giving his daughter who was laying down on top of him a kiss on the forehead, “Well, someone has to be the fun one. You’re too strict, being a doctor and all.”
Bianca hummed in agreement, “I agree with Papa.”
Will pouted at both of them, “Hey! That’s not fair. You guys are teaming up against me.” Will then made a show of grabbing his chest exaggeratedly, “I feel so betrayed!”
Bianca giggled at this as Nico rolled his eyes, opening his arm and signaling for Will to come, “Oh come here, Doc. Solace-di Angelo. Stop being dramatic and just cuddle with us.”
Bianca shrieked, “Cuddles!”
Will chuckled, giving onto his husband’s and daughter’s antics as he laid down into Nico’s arms. Bianca shifted so that she was in between his fathers as Will said, “For the record, Nico, you’re much more dramatic than me.” Nico huffed, but didn’t object.
He then turned to his husband who was smiling at him with such affection, and then to his daughter who was trying to cling to both of them happily and content. Nico smiled… They still had a long way ahead of them but this was definitely a start, hopefully towards a happy ending “I love you guys.”
Bianca and Will smiled then answered at the same time,
“We love you too, Papa!”
“We love you too, Darling.”
At that, he hugged his family tighter and closer to him, knowing that he’d do everything he could to keep their lives this way: Peaceful, Happy, Domestic, but most importantly… Filled with love.