Chapter Text
Once upon a time, there was a railroad line. It's better not to ask where or when in this tale. It doesn't matter, the story ends all the same. The railroad line led to what was considered by many as hell. Maybe it was hell, for this tale was in a world run by the gods and further overrun by men.
It's an old tale, dating back to ancient times. Well known by many, few haven't heard of the story. But though it’s an old tale, it will be retold over and over again. With new characters, new renditions. It doesn't matter, the story always ends the same.
As mentioned before, in this world gods and men lived intertwined. Though it would take far too long to list every god in existence, for now, the ones significant to the story will be introduced by name.
On the railroad line, there were three identical elderly women, who usually go about unseen. Spinning their thread constantly, observing men and gods alike with the ability to sit at the back of one's mind, the voice in one’s head that would influence their decisions and their outcome. You never want for them to cut the thread they spun, for that meant someone's life had come to an inevitable end. They were known as the Moirai. Better referred to as the Fates.
And on The railroad line, there was a woman who frequently travelled to hell and back. A woman with skin dark as the earth that sprung flowers and who had such flowers adorning her hair like a crown. A captivating woman who possessed the ability to bring warmth to the world. Her presence brought summertime and celebration. She was known as Persephone, the daughter of Demeter. Goddess of Spring growth.
And on the railroad line, If one were to have the misfortune to travel down to the final stop on the road to hell, they would find themselves in a downcast realm. Where the air is dank and frigid in the caliginous domain devoid of sunlight. There was no celebration, only work and efficiency. And if one was truly unfortunate, they may come across the King of the Mines. Hades, the god of wealth and ruthless and almighty king of Hadestown.
On the railroad line, there stood a railroad station. This was where the final god of the story usually resided. The narrator, a man with feathers on his feet and skill of immense speed. His role is to help one to their final destination. Hermes, god of messengers and travellers. For this retelling, however, Hermes was nowhere to be seen. In his place he left his son, Cecil, to tell the tale this time, and spread the message of the story along. Whether or not the story ends well this time around. It may or may not, who knows.
On the railroad line, this story always ends in tragedy. It didn't end well last time. It most likely won't end well again, but the story will be told either way. Not everyone in the story was blessed to be born a god. The mortal world was a burdensome place to live a life. Times were hard, and it was even harder to survive. In this story, other than Hermes’ boy, were two mortals, or half-mortals in this case. The main characters of this tragic tale.
On the railroad line, was a boy. Hair as bright as the sun, a halo framing his face around his ocean eyes. With stars that had taken a liking to his face. The most radiant thing about him wasn't his face, but his voice. His gift of singing was truly remarkable, for it held the power no other mortal could hold. He had been working on a song for the longest time but had no luck completing it. His father was a good friend of Cecil’s father. His father Apollo was the god of music and song. Many would say that he was touched by the gods themselves with his musical prowess.
On the railroad line, was another boy. The final soul of this tale. Not as bright, not as loved by the gods. Hair resembling obsidian, hidden under a floppy green hat. Lifeless eyes that seemed to have given up. Nothing adorned his face. Nothing seemed to like him at all. Left alone in the cold, a boy who was constantly hungry, searching for something to live for, a reason for his purpose in life.
And thus begins the retold tale of another tragic love story. Maybe it will end differently this time, who knows. Either way, the story will be told. Again and Again until the end of time.
Nico di Angelo was a boy devoid of hope. He’s run away from everywhere he’s ever lived. Never has he ever stayed in the same place twice. He constantly moved without looking back. He was no stranger to the harsh world and trusted no one. This place was no different. He didn't intend to stay long, the plan was to stay in the Inn for one night. Eat, sleep, move and start again.
He pushed open the old oak door to the pub and inn he was staying in for the night. Nodding to the innkeeper who was tending to the fireplace, he found an empty table in the corner of the bar and sat down, careful to hide his face. He was hungry, he’s always hungry. He waved for one of the waiters. A girl caught his signal and after placing the customers' drinks on the table, walked towards him.
“Welcome to the Lotus pub and inn, I’m Lou Ellen, what can I get for ya?” she raised her pen, ready to take his order.
Nico avoided eye contact with the waitress and lowered his head, facing the table.
“One jug of nectar please.”
Lou nodded, ignoring his unwillingness to look at her “sure, coming right up”
Nico rose his head as she walked away. He wasn’t going to risk taking any chances this time around. In the last town, someone recognised him. One of the girls in his cousin's hunting group spotted him and tried to contact her and his other cousins. He had to leave early, and it annoyed him immensely to do so. He shivered as the gust of wind rushed through the window next to him. He silently shut the window and pulled his jacket closer to him.
Nico was no stranger to the wind. Anywhere it blew, he went. The weather was hard on him like everything else was, it didn’t bother him though. He kept moving, not wanting to stop. If he stopped, someone he knew might follow him and that’s the last thing he wanted. He didn't bother making connections with anyone anymore. People kept turning on him, like the wind. it was better to trust no one. If he kept moving, no one would follow him. He didn't care if he was alone, in the end, it was better that way. All he needed was food and a bed and he’d be fine.
The waitress approached him again, this time with a jug filled with a golden drink and placed it on the table.
“Thanks,” he handed her two golden coins ”you can keep the change”
“No problem mystery boy,” Lou pocketed the change and moved on to the next table.
Nico cautiously took a sip of the jig. it immediately filled him with warmth. He sighed and looked out the window.
“Could you please stop playing that”
Cecil reached for Will's lyre and set it on the table.
“We’re at a pub, you might annoy the customers”
Will immediately grabbed the lyre and began strumming it again.
“Please Cecil, there’s barely anyone here. it's not bothering anyone”
“It’s bothering me, ” Cecil said exasperatedly “Come on man I have to hear them singing here already, I don't need to hear you too”
Will looked around the restaurant perplexed “there’s no one else singing”
Cecil remained quiet. Since his dad went MIA he was given the role of the messenger. That didn't just give him advantages like his enhanced speed and camouflage other mortals didn't have. He also had to be an observer, which meant he saw things that others didn't see.
The fates, for example.
Cecil hasn't seen them in a while, but he knew they were there. Right now they sat in the corner of the pub singing softly, spinning the thread between them. If all of them were that near to a table, they were following someone. And that someone is most likely going to be in trouble soon enough.
He couldn’t say that to Will though, Will wasn’t supposed to know that.
“Nevermind” he refilled his jug with nectar.
Will hummed in response and continued to play his lyre. He and Cecil have been friends for a long time. Will know there were things Cecil couldn't tell him about. He never pressed him for answers, which Cecil was thankful for.
The pub was deserted that night, with only a few patrons occupying the area. Only the waitress Lou and two other customers were present, aside from him and Will. Dakota was a frequent visitor, so he wasn't surprised to see him there, his mouth stained scarlet from the pomegranate juice. He didn't recognize the other customer. He couldn't see him, and it was obvious that was his intent. Only a few strands of his dark hair were visible behind his floppy green hat. Cecil had no idea who he was, but he was certain he was the one the fates were following.
“Who’s that?”
Cecil looked at Will. He was staring at the mystery boy in the corner.
“How would I know? He’s not my cousin”
“Cecil, you know everyone” Will pointed out.
“It may come as a surprise to you William, but I do not know everyone. I've never seen him before. He's probably just a traveller”
Will didn’t take his eyes off the boy. He was the son of Apollo, and everyone knew what kind of person Apollo was, and he left his son alone in the world. Will was the kind of person to wear his heart on his sleeve. He was like his father in that way. Most people would say he’s dumb or naive, but Cecil knew better than that. Will had a way with words that no one else had. He had a way of creating patterns and songs. And his singing was like nothing anyone had ever heard.
Cecil sighed, Will wasn’t a discreet person. He liked the boy in the corner of the pub. Cecil decided he’d help him, not because he was a saint, Cecil was far from that. Will was his friend, and his singing was good. He always saw things on the bright side. Cecil was also curious about what kind of person the fates would be following so closely. It wouldn't hurt to help him just once.
“You want to talk to him?”
Will jumped and turned to Cecil, looking away. He nodded.
“Yes”
“Go on then,” Cecil pointed in the boy’s direction “no one’s stopping you”
Will hesitated, then grabbed the flower centrepiece as he slid out of his seat and walked towards the table.
“Will”
Will stopped and turned back to face Cecil “yes?”
Cecil cracked a smile “Don't come on too strong, you might scare him away”
A light blush dusted Will's cheeks as he made his way towards the boy, Cecil waving from behind.
Nico didn’t notice the blonde boy making his way toward him until he was directly in front of his table. He didn’t expect anyone other than the waitress to speak to him. He observed the boy’s face, contemplating if he knew him and if he was going to contact the people he ran away from. Before he could start planning his escape, which mainly involved throwing his drink in the guy’s eyes and making a run for it, the boy’s next words threw him off.
“Come home with me”
The pub was silent other than the one other customer snoring in the centre. The waitress who had served Nico earlier stared at the blonde boy with an open mouth. Another Guy in the back, who Nico assumed was his friend, facepalmed at the boy’s forthrightness.
Nico blinked in surprise at the boy
“and who are you?”
“Oh um,” his face aflush in embarrassment. He got down on one knee, grabbed Nico's left hand and offered Nico the flowers in his other, which Nico assumed was from the centrepiece of the table he came from. “the man who’s going to marry you, I’m Will”
Nico stared unimpressed at the random proposal, and raised an eyebrow at Cecil who made his way towards them, barely containing his laughter.
“Is he always like this?”
Cecil paused to take a breath, trying to regain his composure
“yes, unfortunately, he is”
Nico shifted his focus again to the boy on the ground “I'm Nico then,”
Will smiled, somehow brightening the dimly lit room “Your name is like a melody” his silvery voice made the statement sound like a song instead of a compliment
“A singer? Is that what you are,”
“I also play the lyre,” Will added. Cecil pointed towards their table where a golden lyre laid on top as if Nico was going to make him prove he wasn’t lying over being able to play some random stringed instrument.
“Oh a liar and a player too,” Nico taunted playfully. He rose from his seat, fixed his hat and made his way towards the pub’s exit. He’s stayed here too long “I’ve met too many men like you”
Will stumbled from trying to stand up too quickly and followed Nico out.
“I’m not like that, I promise”
“Believe me, he’s not like any man you’ve ever met” Cecil hadn’t moved from his spot, he seemed to be looking at something. Nico glanced in the direction he was looking, but there was nothing there.
“Oh yeah? And why’s that?” Nico stood and crossed his arms.
Cecil pointed towards the lyre on the table as he spoke to Will “Tell him what you’re working on”
Will’s eyes shone, understanding what he meant.
“I’m working on a song,” Will explained “it isn’t finished yet, but when I’m done I sing it, it’ll make spring come again”
The wind blew in the pub. Nico swore he’d closed that window. It wasn’t cold and hard as it was before though. It was gentle and warm, like the person speaking right in front of him caused it to happen.
“Come again?”
‘It’ll make spring come-”
“When?” Nico questioned, doubtful that a piece of music could alter the trajectory of the seasons. Especially since he knew why it was like that “I haven't seen a spring or fall since…I can't even remember”
Will stepped forward and held Nico's hand “that’s what I’m working on, a song that could fix everything wrong in the world. A song that could take what’s broken and make it whole again. A song that’s so beautiful it could fix the world and bring it back into tune. A song that could bring the world back into time before, where everything was right”
Will smiled “when you marry me”
Nico laughed in disbelief, he couldn't be serious “Oh, he’s crazy”
Nico looked at Cecil, who had moved to lean on one of the wooden beams. He was enjoying the scene in front of him.
“And why would I marry him? I just met him five minutes ago”
Cecil shrugged “Maybe it's because he’ll make you feel alive”
Nico paused. He never knew what alive meant. He barely struggles to keep himself alive, the idea that another person could make him feel that way is laughable. Especially someone who walked up to him a few minutes ago and immediately offered his hand in marriage as a way of introducing himself.
He turned back to will, whose hand still held his. The flower centrepiece was still in his hand. His eyes looked hopeful as if he truly believed one song could fix everything wrong with the world. As if he truly loved him, even though he just met him. Nico hid a small smile.
Alright, maybe I’ll stay awhile
“Alive? That’s worth a lot”
Nico took the flower from Will's hand. It wilted when he touched it, but he ignored it and tucked it into his shirt pocket. He leaned close to Will and smirked.
“Alright sunshine, let’s say I do marry you. Humour me, what else you got?”
"I'll give you everything you deserve, I swear on it" Will shone, providing more light to the bar than the candles did.
"Tell me if you can then. If I marry you, who's going to buy the wedding rings" Nico reasoned "Times are hard and it's only getting harder. Not many people can even afford to make them, much less sell them around here"
"When I sing my song, all the rivers will sing with me. Their banks will overflow, and the gold from the rivers will come with it. I will find the best blacksmith alive to make a ring to fit your hand." Will countered.
Nico stared at him. Will seemed confident that his song would be able to do that. He sighed and walked away from the inn exit and stood by a table.
"Fine, I'll accept that response"
He carefully took out the flower from his pocket and pointed it towards Will as it wilted further.
"Famly and friends, I have no one to invite to such a wedding. It's getting darker and colder every day, people might not come"
"Don't worry about family, I don't have any. all I have are my friends. it can be only us if you want. it doesn't matter to me, as long as I get to marry you"
"You're serious about this aren't you" Nico watched the boy with curiosity.
"I am" Will was earnest about it. Other than his song, he had never been more determined about something in his life.
Nico stood for a moment, contemplating what he should do. He's moved so many times in his life he couldn't remember the last time he stayed somewhere longer than a week. If he stayed, he'd risk the chance of being found. But if he stayed with someone, more so someone who loved him, maybe for once in his life he could live in peace. Better yet, for once in his life maybe he could live happily.
Cecil watched the two talk from the pillar where he leaned. They seemed to forget he was there, people tended to do that. He didn't make any move to remind them, he just stood and observed.
Nico seemed to warm up a bit after being hit with a random proposal. He still hid under his hat and coat, however, it seemed more unintentional. He brushed the hair out of his eyes absent-mindedly as he spoke to will, revealing more of his face.
Cecil narrowed his eyes at Nico. He looked frighteningly familiar. Even though he was certainly never seen him in his life, he felt like he’d met him before and he didn't know why. He didn't look threatening, so Cecil pushed the thought to the back of his mind.
“So when you sing your song” Nico drank from another jug of nectar, they had moved to sit at a table when he ran out of questions to ask about their supposed wedding “The one you’re Working on, spring will come again?”
“Yes,” Will played with his lyre, plucking the strings absentmindedly.
“Why don’t you sing it then” Nico still doubted that a simple tune would be able to fix everything wrong with the world. It must be one hell of a song if Will thought it could be the solution. He wanted to hear it for himself.
Will hesitated “It isn’t finished”
“Sing it”
Will sat silent for a moment, his fingers still strumming the lyre.
“You want to take me home?” Nico cocked his head to the side, eyes brimming with curiosity.
“more than anything”
“Sing the song”
Will placed his hands cautiously above the lyre's strings. He began to play a complex melody that Nico could never hope to replicate. There was a shift in the atmosphere even before he started singing. The air had grown less stinging and sharp, making breathing easier.
Nico leaned forward, eager to hear what Will had to say.
Will inhaled deeply before singing.
La la la la la la
There was a noticeable change in the atmosphere right away. Will's words reverberated throughout the room and out into the street. A warm air broke through the frigid night as the wind kicked up again. Outside, the birds could be heard trying to sing the melody. The candle flames grew larger, filling the inn with a warm atmosphere. The inn was filled with the scents of nectar and bread.
La la la la la la
Lou Ellen paused her sweeping to pay more attention to Will. Dakota's snoring came to a halt when he opened his eyes to hear what had jolted him awake. Cecil closed his eyes and rested back against the pillar. He should've expected Will's music to have such an effect on people. But there was always something about his music that you couldn't get enough of.
La la la la la la
His voice trailed away when he saw Nico's expression. Nico was shocked, he didn’t know it was possible a sound like that could come from a mortal. He could understand Will's confidence that his song could fix the seasons. It very well might.
“Are you sure you’re not a god?”
Will laughed, even something simple as that sounded angelic to him.
“Yes, I’m sure. Not fully anyway”
“Then how did you do that?”
“I don’t know” Will shrugged “I always could, the song’s not finished though”
“Even so, it can do this?”
“It can, but it has to be better”
“You have to finish it,” Nico insisted. If he finishes the song and fixes the seasons, maybe he won't have to run away anymore. Maybe he can stay in one place for once without fear.
Will nodded, confidence shining through him from the other boy’s support
“I will, I promise”
There was a lull in the pub. The other customer had returned to sleep, and neither the waitress nor the innkeeper had made any attempt to wake him up. Lou and Cecil chatted quietly as if they didn't want their conversation to be overheard. Will's singing had provided enough power to keep the fireplace ablaze through the night, so the innkeeper put an end to her attempts to tend to it. On a frigid night, the homely woman returned to her front desk at the entrance, as though ready to welcome another visitor into the safety of her inn.
Nico was convinced that Will was right and that when his song was finished, it would be able to restore everything that was wrong with the world. Nico, on the other hand, is not someone who can trust easy. There was nothing stopping will from throwing him aside and abandoning him once he had fulfilled his purpose as everyone else from his past had. There was nothing he could say that would convince him that he would follow his word. Nico pushed aside the empty vase on the table between them to get a better view of Will's face.
“And if the song doesn’t work, and we don’t get any of those things. Would you still want to marry me even then?”
Will then smiled, as if the question had been a joke worth laughing at.
“It will work. And even then, I couldn't care less about a wedding band, a table or a bed. As long as I’m with you, that will be enough”