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“Quit fidgeting with your suit, Nico, you look amazing.” Will reached over and rested a warm hand over the son of Hades’s knuckles to prevent him from going crazy.
The two of them had been dating for the last three years and now they were in Will’s truck on their way to his mom's house after she had bugged him for over a year to meet his boyfriend.
Will had finally caved and now they were almost there and Nico’s nerves were going insane.
“What if she doesn’t like me?” The raven asked, foot tapping rapidly on the floor of the truck.
“What if she thinks that I’m too dark and gloomy and depressing and says that you could do so much better because really, you could and I wouldn’t blame you-” His rambling was cut short when Will leaned over and kissed him, silently telling him to shush. While Nico was busy worrying, Will had pulled the truck over to the side of the road so he could calm down the younger boy.
“Nico, I know you’re nervous about meeting my mom but trust me, she will absolutely love you as much as I do.” He took Nico’s hand and pressed a soft kiss to his knuckles and Nico relaxed a bit.
“Alright, I trust you.” Nico relented. They were silent for a few seconds before he added, “But do you really think my hair looks ok?” Will groaned as he hit his head against the horn, causing Nico to start giggling and Will knew that everything was going to be just fine.
Soon they were back on the road and only 30 minutes away from the house Will had grown up in before moving to camp halfblood.
They had made a brief pitstop in town about 15 minutes away because Nico insisted that they couldn’t show up without flowers because it was custom for the SO (Significant other, or partner) to bring the host flowers. Will had obliged his adorable boyfriend and they picked out a large bouquet of blooming sunflowers.
20 minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of a large farmhouse surrounded by acres and acres of pasture. Will took a moment to breathe in the country air. Oh, how he’d missed this. He couldn’t wait to show Nico around the property the next morning as they would be spending fall break here. An entire week of nothing but him, Nico, Will’s family, and all of this land waiting to be re-discovered.
Will got out of the truck and walked around to Nico’s side and opened the door for him because he was a gentleman. Nico blushed before taking the hand offered to him and allowing Will to help him out of the truck so that he wouldn’t step in mud.
Will took a moment to admire his beautiful boyfriend.
Nico had insisted on dressing up for the occasion so he had donned a suit and tie and gelled back his hair so it looked sleek and elegant, yet sophisticated.
Will had gone a little less formal, opting for a clean button-down shirt, tie and blazer, but he let his boyfriend have his fun because tonight was about making him feel as comfortable as possible.
It definitely didn’t have anything to do with how hot Nico looked when he dressed up and Will had to keep himself from getting too worked up because he did not think it would go over too well if he were to greet his mom with a boner.
Will didn’t realize he had been staring at Nico for the last 30 seconds until Nico broke the silence with, “Is there something wrong with my hair?” Will snapped out of his thoughts and rolled his eyes as he leaned over and kissed his boyfriend on the cheek, whispering, “You look perfect, Sunshine. Mom is going to love you.”
Nico’s blush deepened as Will offered him his elbow which he took gladly, and the two of them walked up the porch stairs and rang the doorbell.
Immediately after he had pressed the button, he heard muffled hollering from at least five different voices coming from inside the house and a few seconds later, the door was opened by a little boy beaming up at them.
“Hi big brother!” The boy smiled. “Hi big brother’s boyfriend!” He turned to Nico and gave him an equally ecstatic smile.
“Hey Michael! It’s been a while since I last saw you. You’ve gotten so big!” Will bent down and picked up his little brother and spun him around in a circle while he squealed with delight.
“I know!” He replied, excitedly, “I’m 5 years old now! That means momma is letting me help Kayla and Austin with their chores and they put ME in charge of feeding the animals and they all love me!”
He declared, proudly. Will kept on smiling as Michael talked about all the animals he was making friends with when an older woman appeared in the doorway. She had dirty blonde hair tied back in a messy bun and an apron decorated with little sunflowers, tied around her waist.
She smiled at the three of them and her dimples showed. Will set Michael down with minimum protest from the little boy who dashed back inside, and kissed his mother on the cheek.
“Hi, Ma.” He smiled, “It’s good to see you again.” The woman smiled back. “It’s good to see you too, son. I’ve missed you so much.” She said, cupping his cheeks. “I missed you too.” Will replied. She turned away from him to smile at Nico who had been standing awkwardly off to the side, holding his flowers and waiting patiently while Will greeted his mom and little brother.
“And you must be Nico!” She smiled as she walked over to him. “I’m Naomi Solace. I’m so glad to finally meet you.” She smiled and Nico held out his flowers.
“These are for you, ma’am. I hope you like them.” She beamed at Nico as she accepted the flowers from him. “My gods, these are so beautiful! And they even match the ones on my apron!” She exclaimed. “Thank you so much, dear, they are lovely.”
After she had smelled them, she handed them to Will and took Nico’s hands in hers.
“Oh, you are such a handsome young man.” She declared. “You have such a sweet face and I adore the way your hair is styled!” At those words, Nico's face relaxed immensely and when Will’s mom asked if she could give him a hug, he happily accepted.
After a few more hugs had been exchanged, the three of them moved back into the house and Will put the flowers in a vase.
Once they had all entered the kitchen, they were greeted by Will’s three other siblings, Kayla, Austin and Lee who all gave Nico a warm welcome and introduced themselves.
Michale was five and the baby of the family. Kayla and Austin were both 12 and twins and Lee was 23 and out of college.
They all sat down to a homemade dinner prepared by the whole family who were eager to get to know Nico.
Throughout the meal, Will would glance over at his boyfriend every so often to make sure he was doing ok and wasn't overwhelmed by the surplus of questions from each of his family members.
However the entire time, Nico seemed completely relaxed and engaged, even making a few jokes with Lee every so often.
Will couldn’t help but think about how much he adored Nico and had thought about proposing a couple of times, but then again, why rush? They were only 19 and 18 and still had their entire lives ahead of them. With the war having been over for three years now, they were finally afforded the luxury of time and Will intended to take advantage of it.
Once the dinner had wrapped up and Will and Nico had helped clear the plates from the table, Will led Nico outside to the back porch where an old bench swing hung from the ceiling, swaying in the breeze. As they sat down on it, Will turned and pressed a kiss to Nico’s forehead as he laid his head on Will’s shoulder.
“Your family is really nice.” Nico said quietly. “I think they liked me.” He added.
“Darling, they loved you, trust me.” Will replied lovingly. “You were so amazing and engaging with them and I am so incredibly proud and in love with you right now, you don’t even know.” He said as he peppered his boyfriend with kisses.
They sat there together in silence and watched the fireflies light up around them.
“I am really glad you agreed to come meet my mom and I know she absolutely adores you now.”
Nico looked up at Will. “You really think so?” He asked quietly. “I know so.” Will responded.
A few moments later, Naomi stepped outside and approached the two boys.
“Will, honey, Michael is looking for you. He said he is dying to show you how big his lego Star Wars collection has gotten.” She sighed, smiling. “Sure mom.” He turned to Nico. “Do you mind waiting out here? I should be back in like 10 minutes.” “Go ahead, Will, I’ll be fine.” Nico replied, kissing his cheek.
As Will got up and went inside, Naomi walked over to where Nico was sitting.
“Do you mind if I sit with you until Will comes back?” She asked. Nico nodded, smiling and the two of them sat and talked.
Later that evening after all the siblings had gone to bed and Nico was up in the guest room showering, Will was helping his mom clean up the kitchen.
After a few minutes, Naomi broke the silence.
“Will, I cannot believe you waited three years to introduce me to him.” Will grinned and rolled his eyes, knowing this was coming. “I’m serious!” Naomi continued. “That boy is perfect, with his chivalry and manners, he’s so sweet!” She continued. “Do you know the first thing he said to me when I sat down with him after you had gone inside? He apologized for not asking my permission before you started dating! MARRY HIM, SON! Or if you don’t ask him, I’ll do it for you.”
Will smiled as he walked over and hugged his mom. “I know, Ma, I do want to marry him, but don’t you think we’re both still a little young to be getting engaged already?”
“Oh, hush, Lee got engaged at your age and look how he turned out. He and Mary are expecting their first kid in the next three months.” She replied, exasperated. “It doesn’t matter how old you are or whether or not others have waited longer, If you love him, you will know when the time is right.” She reached a hand up and cupped his face. “And I’m telling you, that time is now.”
“MOooooooom!” Will protested but Naomi shushed him. “I’m teasing you. You both should get married when you think the time is right and only then. I have faith that you will make the right decision at the right time.”
Will’s eyes teared up as he hugged his mom again. “Thank you so much, Ma. You truly are the best mom I could ever ask for.” Naomi hugged him back. “I know, and don’t you forget it.” Will chuckled.
“Now go on up to your boyfriend, he’s been waiting long enough for you.” Will thanked his mom again, then headed up the stairs to the guest room where Nico was combing out his hair and humming quietly to himself. Will came up from behind and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend’s waist, laying his head on Nico’s shoulder.
“Well hello there.” Nico smiled as he turned around and kissed Will on the lips. “How did it go with your mom?”
Will must have been smiling awfully big because Nico raised his eyebrows. “I take it that things went well?”
Will squeezed his boyfriend tightly, causing him to emit a small squeak.
“Things could not have gone better.” He beamed.
Nico smiled back at him. “I’m really glad we get to stay the week here.”
From somewhere down on the first floor, came Naomi’s hollering shout, “WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY FOREVER??!!”
Both boys burst out laughing and as they lay in bed, making out lazily and talking quietly, Will thought to himself,
“Things could not be more perfect than they are right now.”
With that thought in mind, he drifted off to sleep, his arms wrapped around his boyfriend, dreaming about the day he would get to make him his husband.