#now Will? Will i could see. Will raised catholic? yes. Nico raised catholic? no. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

marbleheavy · 3 years

Text

married solangelo has been living rent free in my head the past few days because i’ve a fic i’m writing on ao3 and a post i saw from @didnt-want-to-be-a-halfblood so here are some headcanons i have:

(this is kinda long lol sorry folks)

- they get married young, partially because of how fleeting life seems to them and partially because they’re just like “yeah, this makes sense”

-(will was always been a life plan person, or as much as he could be as a demigod, but nico comes into the picture and his flow chart for the next ten to fifteen years that includes marriage between the ages of 27 and 30, that’s out)

- nico was raised catholic (i will die on this hill) and also in the 30’s so i firmly believe he has some pretty conservative views on marriage

- besides the whole internalized homophobia thing, he also def believes in asking for blessings and waiting until marriage and all that jazz

- will occasionally questions him (not in a pressuring way) because like, their parents are greek gods? they’re gay? it’s the 21st century?

- but nico says that it reminds him of his mom (as much as he can remember, like feelings and flashes of stained glass windows) and that he’s a ‘respectable young man, william’

- and will doesn’t really get it but he respects it and they keep it very old-school, dating but also kinda courting

- and that helps nico because that keeps things slow and low pressure so he can work through stuff as it comes without fear of will getting scared off or frustrated

- anyways, at age 18 or so, will realizes that he definitely (like, definitely) wants to marry nico and that’s t e r r i f y i n g and not because of commitment (he’s been head over heels since the battle of manhattan) or what nico will say but because that means he has to get blessings

- hades is scary but oh gods, hazel and reyna

- so he makes his rounds and asks for blessings (contacting hades was unnecessarily difficult and after a while of trying, he just prayed about it during offerings at the dining hall and that got hades’s attention pretty fast)

- talking to reyna was terrifying and she was straight faced the entire time and he was certain she was going to say no but then she just said “i was wondering when you were gonna do this”

- hazel is giddy as he talks to her and she threatens him so sweetly he barely even recognizes it as a threat at all

- anyways so he’s got the blessings, the ring is next, and he gets a silver one that looks cool but, after giving it to the hephaestus cabin, can become a small knife for nico to stab people with and he can see the exact face nico will make when he realizes

- also just a note, they def have their own apartment in the city

- he intends to propose on nico’s 18th birthday but that doesn’t happen and it ends up happening three months later (he’s had the ring in him at all times “just in case”) when nico calls him an idiot during breakfast and instead of saying “your idiot” like he always does, it comes out as “i want to marry you”

- and nico just kinda blinks at him and is like “huh?”

- and will fumbles in his pockets and eventually pulls out the ring and is all wide, blue eyes and shaky hands when he whispers “marry me?” while holding out the ring

- obviously it’s a yes

- nobody is surprised when they say they’re getting married and everyone is like “yeah and? we been knew this was gonna happen” but jason cries

- so it’s wedding planning now and nico wants to get married in a catholic church (see aforementioned note about stained glass windows) and will is just like “what?”

- nico says something along the lines of “we have to get married in a church, i’m not a fucking sinner, william”

- and will is like “neeks, darling, sweetheart, honey, love of my life, we’re gay and your dad is literally hades, we cannot avoid catholic sin”

- but nico is taking none of that and will doesn’t really care all that much where it ends up happening so they get married in a church

- will ends up getting really into the flower arrangements though (and i’d like to think persephone helps him) and they’re super elaborate and all the flowers have specific meanings and he arranges them all by hand

- they let other people plan a lot of it though, annabeth and mitchell and hazel mostly

- on the Big Day, both of them are weirdly calm and everyone else is frantic

- cecil asks will why he isn’t nervous and he just says “why would i be? even if everything else goes wrong, i’m still going to marry the love of my life today and i’m not nervous about that. i’ve been waiting my whole life to do it”

- will wants to walk down the aisle, he loves the drama of it, and he is so overwhelmed with love and adoration when nico laughs at him basically strutting down the aisle that he almost has to stop and stare because ‘holy shit, that’s gonna be his husband’

- their vows make people s o b and question if they ever knew what love was at all

- some highlights from nico: “you made me feel like i was wanted when i wasn’t even sure if i wanted myself” and “you didn’t try to fix me or make me whole, you showed me that i wasn’t broken in the first place and that just me is enough. a thousand lifetimes of loving you won’t be enough to thank you for that, but i will love you for all of them and all of the ones that follow anyway”

some highlights from will: “you’re my person and i thank the gods for that everyday. seriously, you can ask them, i’m sure they’re fed up with it by now” (cue apollo shouting “it’s true! i have to listen to it all the time!” from the pews and laughter) and “i don’t think i’ll ever be able to express how much i love you but i will try because that’s what you deserve. you are a reminder that love is not finite, i drown in it every time you laugh or smile or even look at me. it is abundant with every word you say and every time you touch me. i adore you, i love you with every fiber of my being, and i will prove it to you everyday”

- the kiss after they’re pronounced as husbands is chaste and the real intimacy is in the way they intertwine their fingers and the way nico’s fingers lay gently against the curve of will’s jaw

- the ceremony is at camp half blood

- it’s just a giant fucking party and it gets very weird very fast because there are gods and demigods and satyrs and all of it

- nico and will dance and stuff and have fun but mostly they sit at a table, practically on top of each other, and whisper to each other the whole time and it’s sickeningly sweet

- they end up staying at camp half blood in the hades cabin that night and not going back to their apartment

- will carries nico over the threshold and nico has his arms wrapped around will’s neck and he’s laughing so hard that will can’t breathe because of how happy and totally, completely in love he is

- they’re cute and married

#solangelo fluff #solangelo #married solangelo #catholic nico #nico di angelo headcanon #will solace #nico di angelo #marriage #solangelo headcanon #nico x will #will solace headcanon #headcanons

285 notes · View notes

pls-let-me-out · 3 years

Text

The Way I Loved You

In all six months of his engagement, Nico hadn’t met the wedding planner. Not only was he not bothered by the flimsy details of the wedding – such as flowers, sitting positions, the colors of the napkins – but he also was a busy man, as he worked at his father’s record label as Chief Creative Director. Some may ask how he did it so young, and the reason was simple and plain nepotism.

However, if there was someone who didn’t care for nepotism and such, it was Rachel, Nico’s secretary.

(“I’m only here because it angers my father,” she often reminded him. “I’m not working for you.”

“You’re right. I should just stop paying you, then.”

“You just have to try that, you-.”)

That particular day, which Nico would remember as the one of the Great Disaster, Rachel barged into his office with a hard expression and a folder tightly held in her hands.

“You’re late,” she simply said. “You should have been in the car fifteen minutes ago.”

“What for?” He asked. He looked at the hour on the phone, it was already 12:45pm, and he clearly remembered having to go to a lunch meeting. If only he also remembered who he was meeting.

Rachel took the untouched cup of tea on his desk and gave it a disgusted stare. “Remind me again why I buy you one of this every morning if you never even sip it?”

“Because you and Percy need a reason to go to the cafeteria, where you gossip like old women. Now, who is my meeting with?”

“No one if you don’t get going,” Rachel replied smoothly. She emptied the cup in the empty vase in the corner of the room, which they had long since stopped hoping would host living plants. It ways like Nico’s aura killed them. At Nico’s blank stare, she sighed, and added, “It’s with Mitchell and the wedding planner.”

Ignoring the lump in his throat, Nico nodded. He made sure his credit card was in his phone case, pocketed the phone, and left the office. Rachel walked swiftly behind him, humming quietly to herself. She was the opposite of the Elysium Records aesthetic. The whole place had a gothic architectural style, as though it had been built many centuries prior instead of in the early 2000s. At least, Rachel dressed like the part. Hazel had almost been banned from the offices after she had refused to get a total black outfit, as was required to be let in. She had stubbornly kept her pastel yellow jumper.

“Is the car ready?” Nico asked once they were in the elevator, trying to distract himself from the thought of being only a couple of months away from tying the knot.

“Yep,” Rachel replied. She had her eyes fixed on her phone, where she was occupied in a dire game of Fruit Ninja. “Since, like, seventeen minutes ago. When you were supposed to leave.”

“Yes, right.” Nico nodded. “Excellent.”

Rachel snorted. Then she looked back up at him, and her eyes softened. “Are you anxious?”

“Nah.”

“Right.”

“What’s the name of the wedding planner, again?”

“Sol – Solsomething. Uh.” She squinted at the ceiling, and in the meantime the doors opened to let more people in. They greeted Nico respectfully, and Nico struggled to do as much as smile back. “Solace!” Rachel finally exclaimed.

Many people gave her stinky looks, under which she smiled sheepishly. Nico, however, had completely frozen. It couldn’t be. Could it? No. No. Will was in New York, and there were many people that shared his surname. Most of them were his relatives, as his mother Naomi had an enormous family. Nico would have felt much more at ease if he’d also known this Solace’s name, but he didn’t have the possibility to ask when he was surrounded by other people. Not many knew the truth of Nico and Mitchell’s marriage, and it would be better to keep it that way.

Nico spent the car ride to the restaurant with his head in the clouds. He didn’t need the pictures on his phone to remember the details of Will’s face, they were printed behind his eyelids. The slope of his nose, the exact position of each freckle. The curve of his back when he was bent over his books, back in that little apartment they had shared. And his laugh. His smile. His tears when they had no choice but to break it off.

You had a choice, a treacherous voice reminded Nico. He simply didn’t want it.

The car door opened, and Nico finally realized that they had arrived. Jules-Albert looked back at him with raised eyebrows. Nico got out of the car with a blush. He caught a glimpse of himself in the window, and he tried to school his expression in something blanker. The hostess didn’t need his name before leading him to a table in the back.

And so the day of the Great Disaster became the day of the Great Disaster, because low-and-behold, who could Mitchell be sitting in front of, if not Will Solace?

Nico stumbled on his feet, but managed to keep upright. Will raised his eyes, and there was no sudden confusion, no wave of recognition, no nothing. His expression was pleasant, if a bit guarded.

“Nico!” Mitchell exclaimed, as Nico sat beside him. “I didn’t think you’d make it. This is Will, the wedding planner. You’ve never met before, have you? He’s my cousin on my mom’s side.”

Will extended his hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said.

“You too,” Nico managed to say. His voice was steadier than he’d though it’d be, and Will’s hand was pleasantly warm in his. “Sorry for my lateness. My meeting ran longer than I thought.”

“No problem,” Mitchell replied.

An awkward silence fell upon them.

“So, we were reviewing the guest list,” Will said, taking a sheet of paper out of his folder. “Here, this is yours. Your personal assistant told me she has written it herself, so I should make sure you were okay with it.”

Nico scanned over it quickly. “It should be alright.”

“There’s no Italian name, though,” Mitchell said. “I thought your mother was Italian?”

“She was.” Nico passed the sheet back to Will, who put it back with a tight expression. Did he still remember Nico’s secrets like Nico remembered his? “I’m not in touch with that side of the family. Plus, if we invited them, they’d show up with signs and crosses. They’re, uh, hardcore Catholics.”

Mitchell nodded. Will shifted the conversation back to the topic of their wedding, by showing them the RSVP Mitchell’s mother had sent him.

“Do you already know how many people will be there?” Nico asked. He was talking to Will, it was impossible to wrap his head around the fact. He’d thought he would never see him again, they’d never be in the same room. Now they were, and his heart was going crazy in his chest.

“Four hundred,” Will said.

“And reporters?”

“Two for the Italian Vogue and twelve photographers.”

What would they even do with three hundred guests? Nico hoped he wouldn’t have to engage in small talk, especially considering that he had no skill for it.

“Vogue Italia,” Mitchell corrected Will.

Will rolled his eyes, and Nico bit back a smile at the familiarity of the gesture. The lunch went by uneventfully for the rest, until the end, when Mitchell made a group chat for the three of them, so that Will could share the news there. Nico noticed with a pang that Will still had the same number. Nico had saved him as Significant Annoyance and he switched it to a more professional will solace wedding planner.

#Solangelo #solangelo fic #LGBTQ fiction #solangelo fan fiction #riordanverse

8 notes · View notes

ohmyhera · 4 years

Text

Headcanon #7

Imagine these two’s first real Halloween together as a couple

•Okay I feel like the one who surprisingly goes all out for Halloween is Will

•Actually it’s the entire Apollo cabin + some of the Hecate kids, it all starts on October 1st

•Nico walks into the Apollo cabin to greet Will and is very confused by the sound of spooky scary skeletons playing

•There’s only a few of them there, why must it be so loud?

•Will just laughs at his boyfriends confused face and the other campers beg him to summon some skeletons

•Nico does and is even more confused when the Hecate kids make the skeletons start dancing

•A few days later Will realizes that Nico was genuinely confused about the whole thing and starts talking about how Halloween is coming up

•Now Nico doesn’t really know what Halloween is—the boy was raised in 1930’s Italy he was catholic for Pete’s sake—but he kinda just nods along anyways

•No one is better at picking out a liar than an Apollo kid so Will keeps pressing him about it until Nico fesses up to having no idea what the holiday is

•When it finally clicks Will has never felt more stupid in his life, of course Nico wouldn’t know about Halloween

•This sends Will on a frenzy to make sure Nico has the best Halloween ever

•While Nico is out on a mini quest he spends time decorating the Apollo Cabin with fake cobwebs and spiders—he’s already given Annabeth the warning to stay away—and by the time Nico comes back it’s completely Halloweenifed

• “So the orange and black are traditional colors?”

• “Exactly”

•He practically begs Chiron to let them use the tv so he can show Nico the joy of Disney channel original Halloween movies

• “So they’re twin witches, and they just so happen to meet on their birthday?”

• “Don’t judge Disney!”

•And Nico falls in love, they sit there all day swaddled up in blankets and Nico thinks he can actually get behind this holiday

•Until the ugly sweaters

•That is where he draws the line

• “Nico just wear the damn sweater!”

• “You’ll have to kill me first!”

• “Me and Thanatos are good buddies so that can be arranged!”

•Will works something out with Chiron and the other campers so that him and Nico’s duties can be covered because he has something special in mind

• “Must we visit Naomi for every holiday tesoro?”

• “We’re not visiting my mama this time baby, you’ll see”

•Of course they go to visit Naomi first. Whenever Will is in town it’s like her mom senses start tingling and she just knows he’s there. Call it a gift from Apollo.

•Now it’s all fun and games until Naomi and Nico start talking because the two are obsessed with each other and making fun of Will

•They sit on the couch and drink pumpkin spice coffee that Nico just had to try while looking over Will’s old Halloween photos

• “And this is the year he was the sun from the Teletubbies-“

• “Mama stop it!”

•Eventually Will makes up some bs excuse about being in town on demigod business and practically drags Nico from the house

•The two walk for an almost unorthodox amount of time until Nico spots a Ferris Wheel coming into view

• “Is this the reason why I’m not training our kids to rip each other’s heads off?”

• “I-I-yes? Do you like it?”

• “Oh Will, I love it!”

•Then Will has a different problem on his hands

•Nico is an absolute child when he’s left to free range

•He’s never seen the boy have so much energy and it’s actually mind boggling

•He also seems to be an adrenaline Junkie which would be all well and good if Will wasn’t a healer.

• “Baby I don’t think this ride is safe-“

• “I can’t hear you, I’m already in line”

•They finish out the afternoon early because he promised Chiron they’d be back by midnight and Nico needed to rest before they shadowtraveled back

•They ended up back at Naomi’s who’s already waiting with cups of apple cider ready to hear about their demigod business

•Will tried to lie, he really did. But Naomi knew and he immediately cracked under the pressure

•He instead took this as an opportunity to make fun of Nico

• “Mama you should’ve seen him-“

• “Will-“

•“He was off faster than a shotgun at the Kentucky derby!“

•Nico wanted to laugh but he couldn’t help but recognize how similar the two honestly were. They both clapped their hands and stomped their feet as they laughed, it was freaky. He thought Will favored Apollo but maybe it was actually Naomi?

•Once the laugh fest was through and the apple cider was gone, Will gave Nico a few Ambrosia tablets—invention curtesy of the Apollo cabin—and sent him straight upstairs to take a nap

•Naomi immediately grills him on the dark haired boy

• “You love this boy don’t you?”

•“I...Of course I do mama, he’s my boyfriend-“

• “You know what I mean Will”

• “...I’ll tell him when I’m ready”

•The two say their goodbye to Naomi and Will’s heart was pounding the entire way back—or maybe he still wasn’t used to shadow travel—but he would tell Nico

•Halloween finally rolled around and Will surprised Nico with matching skeleton onesies

• “I could make you a skeleton for free”

• “...Is that a threat?”

•The whole camp had gone to the extremes of calling activities off and handing out candy to the younger campers

•Nico was in awe at that

• “You mean I get to eat as much as I want?”

• “As much as you want baby, that’s the beauty in the holiday”

•Once the day was through they decided to go back to the the hades Cabin to turn in for the night

•He had planned to tell Nico but the dark haired beat him too

• “Will I um...I’ve been wanting to tell you that I...I feel very strongly about y-“

• “I love you too Nico, so much”

• “Oh thank gods”

•They spend the rest of the night eating candy and sharing scary stories. will wasn’t sure what he was getting into with this because Nico had stories

•Later in the night when Will was fast asleep Nico couldn’t help but think over the last month and smile

•“Will?”

• “Mmyeah baby?”

• “I love Halloween”

A/n Hey guys I hope you liked this one! Sorry for the long wait, I’ve been real busy with school. If you guys want this in the form of a oneshot I’d actually love to write that because I had a lot of fun writing this one.

#Solangelo #solangelo headcanon #Nico Di Angelo #Will Solace #Naomi Solace #Percy jackson and the olympians #Apollo #good ‘ol texas similies #Halloween #Our favorite couple tho

181 notes · View notes

xxrainbow-princessxx · 4 years

Text

Protective - Leo x Isabella

Synopsis: Alessandra and Natalia are soon turning eighteen and are a complete liability. With Isabella and Leo’s patience wearing thin, can they try to get their children to understand why they are overbearing

Tagging: @drakewalkerfantasy @itslaniquelove @kingliam2019 @kimmiedoo5 @mom2000aggie @lorirwritesfanfic @lorircreates @hopefulmoonobject @rafasgirl23415 @texaskitten30 @rainbowsinthestorm @desireepow-1986 @speedyoperarascalparty @liam-rhys @choicesficwriterscreations

Leo was at his final tether with his two daughters. Alessandra and Natalia were becoming a law onto themselves whilst they remained in Laurentia for their schooling forcing his hand. The seventeen year olds begged and pleaded with their mother but Isabella simply passed it off as ‘tough luck’, they had been warned far too often by their father that the next wrong step for either of them was boarding school and lo and behold, Leo kept his promise, shipping the girls out Switzerland to continue their schooling. Things seemed to settle down in the first few weeks but as Isabella and Leo sat down for lunch one afternoon, the King’s phone began to ring. It was the school. “What do you mean they didn’t turn up for lessons?” Leo raised his brow in question, “It’s a boarding school in the middle of nowhere... how could they?” Leo began to shake his head as he stared at his wife sighing, “These girls are going to be the death of me...” He listened as the school principal kept apologising explaining they were in the process of checking their security footage. Leo clenched his jaw in anger, “Where are their protection officers?” seeing red immediately as the principal explained they were not on the campus either.

Isabella continued to poke her fork around her Salade Niçoise as Leo slammed the phone down onto the table. “Bella... I swear I am...” Isabella raised her brow stopping her husband in his tracks, “Let’s call them and see if they answer...” Leo reached for his phone but Isabella shook her head, “I’ll call...” she tried Alessandra first but there was no response, Natalia on the other hand answered happily, “Buenas Tardes, mama...” she exclaimed happily. Carefully Isabella approached the subject, “Mi querida...” Leo began to roll his eyes incensed, “Why do I have your papa opposite me ready to explode as both you and your sister are not in school? Where are you?” Natalia began to laugh not realising she was on loud speaker, “Mama... it’s so boring... they’re making us take classes in things we already know, languages we are already fluent in... so Sasha and I decided to go check out something we didn’t know, so we went into Geneva to see the sights...” Leo nearly took a heart attack, his face reddening with pure anger but Isabella kept her cool, “That’s ok mi amor... we can talk about that later... but is Elena and Beatriz with you?”

Isabella could only trust what her daughter told her, Natalia confirming that their protection officers were in tow until she heard Natalia shouting across to Beatriz, “Bea... can you talk to mama?” Isabella closed her eyes and took a deep breath after hearing the protection officer speak, “Beatriz...” the Laurentian Queen continued, “...once the girls are finished on their little tour, please bring them back to school at once... Lia, Sasha...” Isabella began to sigh as her daughters took the phone back, “We love you... but your father is extremely displeased... we don’t want anything to happen to you both so please go back to school...” The Princesses looked at one another, pouting heavily as the confirmed in unison, “Ok mama... we love you too...” Leo was fit to burst but Isabella raised her index finger, “Don’t...” The sandy haired Cordonian folded his arms angrily in frustration, “What the hell do they think they’re playing at?!”

Leo barked, “When they were home, it was running after boys... now it’s breaking out of school and heading off somewhere because they felt like it! I didn’t send them to an all girl, Catholic boarding school in the asshole of nowhere for nothing!” Isabella bit down on her lip trying so hard not to laugh as she teased, “What were you expecting? That they would become nuns or something?” Leo ran his fingers through his hair as he growled, “For how much it costs a fucking semester... quite frankly... yes!” The petite brunette slowly shook her head, “This isn’t on me... I loved school... Do you remember what you were like when you were turning eighteen?” Groaning, Leo ran his hands down his face mumbling, “That’s what I’m afraid of...” his sea green eyes rolled to the right as his wife grinned at him, “I never cut school until I met you...” she teased, “You were always a bad influence... but...” Isabella sighed heavily, “We will need to speak with them, let’s do thatnext week during half term break...” Leo nodded in agreement, “No eighteenth birthday party either... I’ve had enough of this shit...”

Isabella had a heavy heart as her two daughters returned the following week, Leo was still reeling from their last escapade but as they came home, immediately the two girls opened their arms, hugging him as tightly as they could, “Miss us?” Alessandra giggled as she kissed her father’s cheek, “Like a hole in the head you two...” chuckled the Laurentian King embracing them back. He had found it so difficult with them being away from him and Isabella but he felt he had no choice. “Come...” Leo smiled, “Your mother’s made lunch for us all...” Leo escorted his daughters quietly outside into the orangery away from the hustle and bustle of the Palace staff. Alessandra and Natalia both smiled as they seen their mother, running to hug her and not wanting to let her go. Nico rolled his eyes, sitting beside his mother as the twelve year old stuck his tongue out at his older sisters causing Alessandra to scowl, “Don’t be a brat Nico!” she hissed at her younger brother as Isabella gestured for them both to sit.

“Girls...” Isabella’s shoulders dropped, her bright, white beaming smile began to fade, “I’m sorry... but we need to talk about last week... your father and I...” Isabella’s chocolate brown eyes looked across to Leo sadly, “We’ve discussed it... and we’ve decided to cancel your birthday party at the end of this week...” As the girls protested, Natalia stood up as she pushed her chair out glaring at her parents. “This is bullshit!” she barked, throwing her napkin onto the table but Leo was not in the mood for stroppy teenagers. He pointed at her growling, “So help me God... get your ass back on that seat! Sit down and for once do as you’re told, your mother is speaking!” Alessandra pouted as she folded her arms, “This is seriously unfair... you can’t do that!” The look of devastation on their faces broke Isabella but Leo stood his ground, “If you both weren’t running around acting like spoilt brats... you wouldn’t be in this mess... we gave you your last chance when you went to Lac Léman and...” he spoke matter of fact with them as the Princesses eyes began to water, “You blew it...”

Natalia leaned across the table, fluttering her long eyelashes, “Papa...” she sighed, “We don’t want to be there... we miss our friends, we miss home, the classes are too easy...” she fell back into her chair slumping, “We went to a museum to actually learn something new...” a coy smile began to form across her face, “So why should we be punished for something that isn’t exactly our fault?” Isabella raised her brow cutting in before Leo lost his temper, “Natalia!” She barked, “This is not a laughing matter! You’re both meant to go to College, make a career for yourself before you need to engage in more Royal duties... and neither of you will disrespect this family any longer!” Alessandra bit down on her lip as Natalia stayed quiet, they had pushed the boundaries too far this time as Leo growled at them both, his fist slamming down onto the table “What the hell were you both thinking?! Anything could have happened!” His calm sea green eyes darkened, “Just go to your rooms...” he sighed with frustration but before the girls could push out their chairs, Leo stood up, “On second thoughts... I’ll go...” as he glared at his daughters shaking his head in disbelief.

“Mama...” Alessandra’s hazel eyes widened as she quietly spoke, “Papa’s really angry with us...” Isabella rolled her dark chocolate eyes to the left towards her daughters, “Mi querida...” she sighed, “...it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that... your father... he, as you both well know would move heaven and earth for you, but he’s disappointed and understandably so...” Alessandra and Natalia looked at one another, they knew they had to make it right some how. “Mama...” Natalia sniffed, “We’ll go apologise... I don’t care about a stupid party... I just don’t want...” she began to cry. Natalia wasn’t the crying type but for her to be so open, in front of everyone; Isabella knew she was being sincere. “I don’t want him to hate me!” The Princess was always so closed off regarding her feelings but right now, she couldn’t hide it from the world. Isabella began to smile nodding in agreement, “Mi amor... he could never hate you... but I think he’d appreciate that...”

Later that afternoon, Alessandra and Natalia sighed heavily as they went to their father’s office knocking on the heavy oak door waiting to be called in. They had never been so nervous. As Leo barked “enter...” Both Natalia and Alessandra kept their heads down as they slipped quietly through the door, both of them stood in front of their father as Leo looked up at his daughters. Alessandra’s eyes clocked onto the picture frames around his desk as Leo leaned back in his chair, folding his arms, “Something I can help you with?” Alessandra’s eyes locked with her sisters as Natalia sighed, “Papa... can you come sit with us?” as she gestured to the couch, “Please?” Leo wondered what they were up to, playing along with their request, he pushed his chair out and moved to the couch. Alessandra called down to the kitchen to ask for some Cordonian tea to be brought to her father’s office but her eyes followed all the pictures Leo had on his desk, all of them of his children. Making her way to the couch, Alessandra sat on the left, Natalia on the right. Natalia’s bottom lip trembled, “Papa...” she sniffed, “I am so fucking sorry...” as she dropped her head into her hands, “I don’t want you to hate me!!”

Leo put his arms around his youngest daughter, “No baby girl... no...” he cooed, “I could never hate you or your sister...” kissing the crown of her head, “You two are the best thing that ever happened to me... when I was your age... I just messed around, no thought for anyone else, I was a massive pain in the ass, just ask your Uncle Liam...” Leo began to smile as his daughters both rested their heads against his shoulders, “I just want better for you two... know enough that if you ever didn’t want this... you could do anything you wanted... not rely on who you know, but what you know... be the smartest person in the room...” As the tea arrived, three cups were poured. Leo turned his head side to side looking down at them, “You pair don’t have a clue what goes through mine and Isabella’s heads when you decide to do a disappearing act... I’m ready to send out the National Guard!” Alessandra’s brow furrowed, “But papa... we’re gonna be going to College soon...” Leo began to chuckle loudly, “Doesn’t matter.. You two will always be my baby girls, even when you’re ninety and have as much plastic surgery as your grandma...” Natalia shoved Leo playfully as she laughed, finally a smile came across her face. “We’ll try so much harder...” Alessandra mumbled quietly as Leo nodded, “That’s all I want...”

Alessandra hugged her father tightly but Natalia still remained quiet, “Sasha...” Leo sighed, “Can you give me a minute with Lia?” The Crown Princess nodded, “Ok... I’ll see you both later...” as she picked up her things, leaving quietly. Waiting a moment after the door closed behind her, Leo’s brow furrowed, “What’s up sweetheart...” her hazel eyes met her father’s, biting down on her lip she mumbled, “Can I come home? It was my fault that we left... I just wanted to do something that didn’t revolve being a girly girl. Papa... I miss my friends. Sasha’s fine... they love her there, she’ll be a Queen one day... me... I’m a no one, just a copy of a more important person than me...” Leo put his arm around the Princess as he leaned down whispering to her, “No baby girl... you are you and just as important... Is that what you want?” Natalia nodded quietly as Leo smiled, “I’ll not make you do anything you don’t want to...” The Princess began to grin, “Thanks Papa... can I ask you something?” “Anything beautiful... what is it?” Leo replied warmly as Lia’s eyes narrowed as she grinned with her dazzling smile that matched her mother’s, “Can we go to the game tonight?” Leo chuckled warmly, “Of course... let’s take your sister and go to the Marina...” getting the girls out of the Palace would help with hiding their birthday presents. Maybe he would change his mind about the party...

#choices #leo x isabella #the royal romance #playchoices #prince leo #choices fanfiction #choices the royal romance #playchoices fanfiction #queen isabella #royal romance au

15 notes · View notes

aphroditestummyrolls · 4 years

Note

8, talk to me about all your historical crusades meta. You know which fic. ❤️

Hi Friend! This is a FUN question! (Anyone who’s wondering, this is from A Man Like That, my origin fic for Nicky and Joe).

Okay. Did any real people or events inspire any part of it?

The short answer is YES. It was inspired by the First Crusade— particularly the Siege of Jerusalem in 1099– but it also involves in-depth research into the Clunaic Order of monks that split off of the Benedictine Order; the legend(???) of Genoa being sacked in the late 900s by raiders from Northern Africa; the burning of the port of Mahdia by Genoese and Pisano armies in 1087; the Zirid Dynasty and the razing of Kairouan by the Fatimid Caliphate; the Abbasid Caliphate; Al Nizamiyya University in Baghdad; piracy and trade by both Genoa and Northern Africa via the Mediterranean Sea; the arrival of the relics of John the Baptist in Genoa in 1098; AND last but not least, the Hospitaller Knights and Blessed Gerard (Gerard Thom).

*John Mulaney voice* now we don’t have time to unpack ALL that!

He’s right, so I’m gonna walk through my concepts for Nicky and Joe, touching on as many of these points as I can while I go, trying not to spoil anything for later chapters.

NICKY: First things first, I don’t think Nicky is a Knight. I don’t even think that he’s technically a Crusader— I know a lot of people in the fandom don’t love the idea of Nicky having been a priest, but when you look at what a VAGUE description priest is, it gives you so much wonderful wiggle room. A priest could be a monk or a secular priest, and there are lots of different kinds of monks and church-sancationed splits into different worlds. In Nickys time, of course, there were way less, but there’s still options. This is where Clunaic monks come into the picture. Clunaic monks wanted to go even harder than their Benedictine predecessors. Nicky, in my story was raised by the Abbot at San Fruttuoso Abbey (for reasons we shall see)— this gives him a lonely, unorthodox upbringing, and no real family. He is desperate for connection and seeks that from God, but just can’t. That, plus the history of the raid that essentially leveled Genoa in the 900s, and the coastal location of the abbey, and it’s the perfect breeding ground for some low key fanaticism.

This brings into play the relics of John the Baptist, the hospitaller knights (who did not exist in a named capacity yet), and Gerard. The relics of St John put a fire under Nico’s ass to do something. He mentions wanting to leave the order and go abroad to help Christians through service instead of prayer in a quiet moment with the Abbot, who seems... too ready to get rid of him (he’s not a great monk, but he tries so hard). He sends him to Jerusalem with a note to his colleague from Amalfi, Gerard. At the Hospital of the Order of St. John. This was the dawn of the age of Military Orders of Catholic priests and laymen in the Holy Land— you know the Knights Templar? And how there’s no way that Nicky could be one? Well, the Hospitaller Knights were their predecessors, not “defending” pilgrims on the route to Jerusalem, but operating a hospital exclusively for those pilgrims in the city itself. The hospital that Gerard founded in Jerusalem/the idea of these knight/priests started around 1070ish. The hospitaller knights were cemented in the Siege of Jerusalem, and that’s what inspired me to have Nicky join them. Just weeks before the siege. This is all a bit over simplified, but I’m only explaining it as it pertains to Nicky and the story here. Gerard comes in for Nicky in a literal sense in this story, as a real character. He’s the first guiding hand and somewhat gentle presence in his life. He’s also the first person to ever hand Nicky a sword.

JOE: Joe is still a little more nebulous as far as the details are concerned (we don’t get his POV until the fourth chapter, so I’m taking my time with his research), but his backstory follows a wonderful post by (I think) @hottopicmonk discussing whether he was from Mahdia or Tunis. It’s a great post— I can’t find it right now, but I’ll try to link it later— that talks about the Zirid Dynasty, the Fatimid Caliphate, and the inter-regional merchant spies 👀. That was INSPIRING as HELL, and I started doing my own research from there. Joe’s backstory and actions throughout my story take him all over the Levant, Middle East, and Northern Africa, even long before his death and the Siege. He’s a traveler from a wealthy family, shaped by his parents stories of Kairouan (where his father was raised, and was forced to flee), and the Zirid (Sunni) relationship with the Fatimid caliphate (Shia). This is why he is a spy for local zirid leaders, and in a bit of a pickle at the start of the story. This is also why Joe’s old university is in Baghdad— putting him in the domain of the Abbasid caliphate, which was also Sunni. Joe’s experiences at university definitely shape him, but it’s a trip home to Tunis (in, you guessed it, 1087) that he witnesses the aftermath of the sacking of Mahdia and the burning of the port.

Both Joe and Nicky, while super different, have both led their own brand of a sheltered life. Nicky in a more extreme sense, but Joe too. Joe wouldn’t have seen violence on such a scale before that— I think his parents, with their trauma from Kairouan, would have shielded him and his siblings as much as their money and power would allow. After Mahdia, and the loss of a key family member there, I think joe asks his father to teach him to use the scimitar. This is a big moment for joe, and also gives him more than ten years of experience with a weapon when he and Nicky meet.

ONE MORE THING: there are bits and pieces of the story— things that are inconsequential/harmless— that I just waive historical accuracy for the sake of the story. Those will be indicated in the authors note when they happen. This story is the compilation of over a month of research and outlining. I am very proud. Thank you for asking, friend!

Okay! I think that’s about it. I hope that actually answered the question haha it’s not ALL my crusades meta, but i don’t want to spoil the story 😬👍🏻

#the old guard #fanfiction #joe x nicky #yusuf al kaysani #nicolo di genova #yusuf x nicolò #tog meta #oh god i made a meta post #if you want my bibliography #ill have to write one first #haha all my tabs are still open like an idiot

14 notes · View notes

peter-parkouuuur · 5 years

Text

Chapter 12: Papa Bear Mode (Spider-boy - Peter Parker x Stark!Reader)

WAH! Here’s Chapter 12!!!

I’ve watched FFH thrice and it still gets to me. Ugh, I love our little baby spider-boy.

Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 13

Enjoy!!!

“Live in Madrid, watching the world’s favorite sport,” Peter mumbles as he holds his phone camera up high, filming another vlog.

“Also Peter’s first time to watch real football… not American football.” Y/n makes sure that the camera hears the remark.

“I forgot you’re part-European. Figures.” Peter scoffs jokingly, pointing the camera at her.

You just roll your eyes at him before noticing that one of the players scored a goal.

“GOAL!!!” Y/n shouts at the top of her lungs.

“Isn’t this fun?!” You sit back down beside Peter.

“I’ve never watched soccer before and this is pretty fun.” Peter laughs along, sporting the home team’s scarf.

“If I knew how hectic this whole thing is, I would’ve gotten us one of those VIP seats.” Tony grumbles, putting on his sunglasses, not so much for sun protection as it is night time, mainly just to hide his annoyance of it all.

Tony decided to join in watching the match at the last minute. It was either he goes around Madrid by himself or watches the game with Y/n and Peter.

“Our seats are amazing by the way. We’re like a few meters away from the players.” Peter looks at the football players in awe.

“It’s almost the 90th minute, we need one more goal.” Y/n grumbles tapping her feet uncontrollably.

“I’ve never seen you so tense, sweetie. I should bring you to sports events more often.” Tony looks at you in amusement.

“Oh no, you’re not dragging me into watching basketball with you. I’m not a fan.” You shake your head in disagreement.

“I’ll watch with you, Mr. Stark.” Peter volunteers.

“I’ll hold you to it, Parker.” Tony nods.

“Oh my god!” You are at the edge of your seat as you watch the striker head towards the penalty area.

“Come on! You can do it.” Peter stands up as you do the same.

“Holy shit.” You mumble.

“GOAAAAAAL!” The arena echoes in celebration.

You and Peter look at each other with grins on your faces. Peter ends his video as you grab the back of his head and kiss him for at least a good 5 seconds. Tony clears his throat looking at the two teenagers in the middle of an intimate celebratory embrace.

“Hi, dad.” Y/n awkwardly laughs.

“You’re grounded when we get back to New York, young lady.” Tony states, his face is stiff from being on Papa Bear mode.

The three walk out of the arena and see Happy parked right outside the stadium. Peter and Y/n are attached at the hip, hand-holding and cheek-kissing.

“Now you know how I feel.” Happy laughs as soon as he sees Tony’s annoyed expression.

“Remind me to lock the windows in Y/n’s room the second we get back to New York.” Tony tells Happy the second the two teenagers enter the car.

“They’re good kids, Tony. It’s just puppy love.” Happy shrugs his shoulders.

“Based on the kisses I just saw, I don’t think so.” Tony scoffs.

Happy just chuckles before sliding inside the driver’s seat. Tony slides in beside Y/n.

“Dinner at the hotel?” Tony suggests.

“Yes, please! I’m craving for Tapas right now.” You jump in your seat, the adrenaline from the football game still running fast.

“I take it your team won, Y/n?” Happy asks as he pulls into the traffic.

“Yes, we did win, with just seconds to spare before the 90th minute.” Y/n replies proudly.

Peter looks at you in amusement, still overwhelmed that he’s in Spain with the Starks and watched an actual game live.

“I have to admit, I’m starting to get why you’re into this sport.” Peter laughs.

“Well, I’m part French. I watched a lot of games in Paris with my brother. I’m so glad you enjoyed your first football game.” You giggle, taking Peter’s hand in yours.

The two teenagers intertwine their fingers, a blush creeping on both faces.

“I knew I should’ve brought Pepper with me.” Tony grumbles in his seat.

He doesn’t miss the hand-holding action happening between his daughter and Peter. He just shrugs it off and hides a smile.

‘If I have to give away my daughter to some guy, Peter Parker would be fine with me. He better not break her heart or there would be hell to pay.’ Tony thinks to himself, looking out the window.

Peter rubs his thumb across Y/n’s knuckles. 2 months after meeting Tony Stark, he’s been to multiple Stark Industries events, traveled to two countries, and got himself a girlfriend in the process. It’s all been too surreal for him that if he blinks long enough, he’d be back to his boring old life in Queens.

“You want to go around the city tomorrow morning? I mean, we do leave for New York in the afternoon, but if you’re up for it, we can like, stroll around or something?” Y/n suggests to Peter.

“That’d be awesome! Where will we go?” He asks.

“The palace, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel…. Anywhere in a span of 6 hours.” You shrug your shoulders.

“Six hours?!” Peter raises his voice.

“Yeah?! Are six hours too short? We can always go out at 7 am, but I doubt anything will be open by then.” Y/n replies.

“No no, it’s fine! I just didn’t think that we’d need six hours just to tour around Madrid, that’s all.” Peter clarifies.

“We’re only here for two days. Might as well take advantage of it. We can always just ‘swing’ around.” You joke, emphasizing the word ‘swing’.

“I mean if it’ll beat traffic, why not?” Peter agrees.

“There will be no Spidey action when I’m around.” Tony interrupts the two of you.

“Sorry, Mr. Stark.” Peter apologies.

“Fine.” You grumble.

Happy stops in front of the hotel and one of the hotel security opens the car door for Tony.

“Mr. Stark.” He greets with his thick Spanish accent.

Y/n and Peter follow Tony towards the hotel’s restaurant, La Rotonda.

“Feel free to eat your heart out, kids,” Tony tells you and Peter as the waiter shows you to your table.

“I don’t see why all of us have to share one suite?” You grumble, walking out of the bathroom in your pink pajamas.

“Because I don’t want to see anyone try and sneak out from his room to go to another room and do whatever it is that hormonal teenagers do.” Tony looks at you and Peter.

“We’ll be in the living room.” You tell your dad, grabbing Peter’s hand.

“Lights out by 12!” Tony exclaims.

“Check on them from time to time, won’t you?” Tony tells Happy.

“I’ll watch them like a hawk.” Happy nods in agreement.

“You were planning on swinging me around late at night, were you?” You ask Peter as the two of you sit down on the couch.

“Yeah, I actually was. I hear Madrid has a pretty good nightlife.” Peter replies, turning on the tv.

You snuggle to his side and rest your head against his chest as he put his arms around you.

“I guess staying in isn’t half bad though.” You sign, holding onto his arms.

“Your hair smells like coconut, I like it.” Peter sniffs.

“I don’t know how I feel about you sniffing my hair.” You giggle.

You sit up to face him properly, your heads just a few inches away from one another’s. He presses his forehead against yours before you finally pull him in to kiss him. It starts off very slow, his hands move to the back of your head, slowly caressing your hair while yours rest against his chest. Peter finally having the courage to continue further, coaxes you to open your mouth slightly as he slips his tongue and caresses it with yours.

“You’re a pretty good kisser, Peter Parker.” You laugh lightly, scrunching his shirt to pull him in, your legs on top of his.

“Well I have to keep up, you know?” He chuckles, his lips moving to your jaw then back to your lips.

The two of you didn’t feel anyone come in but a mist of cold water interrupts the two of you from your makeout session.

“What the hell?” Y/n curses.

You open your eyes to see Happy standing right in front of you and Peter.

“Don’t make me spray you two again.” He threatens.

“Wha?-“ Before you could protest, Happy raises the spray again.

“Okay! We got it.” Y/n grumbles.

Happy walks away. You and Peter look at each other before bursting into laughter. You wipe the water off his face.

“You know, I never really got to ask you properly…” Peter starts.

“Ask me what?” You furrow your eyebrows at him.

“If you wanted to be my girlfriend.” He uses the sleeve of his sweater to wipe off the water on your cheek.

“Peter, I’d love to be your girlfriend.” You smile at him.

A wide grin immediately appears on his face before he leans in to kiss you again, this time not as intense.

“Are you done kissing my daughter, Parker?” Tony walks in.

Peter sits up and coughs slightly. You move your legs off of Peter’s lap and follow your dad’s gaze. Happy follows suit and sits beside you.

“You know what they say in catholic schools, leave space for the Holy Spirit.” Tony sits beside Peter.

“What are we watching?” Tony looks at the tv screen.

“Tropic Thunder.” Y/n replies.

Peter takes your hand in his as the four of you watch the movie in peace, bursting into laughter a couple of times. Tony, again, doesn’t miss the hand-holding action going on between Peter and his daughter. He could sulk and tell them off about it, telling them to stay away but he knows Y/n might rebel if he presses harder than he should. Happy looks at Tony and glances at the two teenagers’ hands. Tony just nods and rolls his eyes.

“Wow. It’s like we’re not even in the room.” You look at your dad.

“You two are acting weird. What? You’ve never seen teenagers hold hands?” You look at your dad and Happy.

“Sorry, sweetie. I’m just not used to it. I’ve seen Nico but it’s different because you’re my princess. If Parker wasn’t so awkward and afraid of me, I would’ve threatened him to get away from you.” Tony jokes.

Peter’s eyes grew large and before darting his gaze at Tony.

“Dad, you’re seriously ruining movie night for me. Both of you.” You give your dad and Happy the death stare.

“Alright alright. We’ll try to keep quiet. But you are grounded the second we arrive in New York.” He tells you with a serious look on his face.

“That was serious? Because I kissed my boyfriend in front of you?!” You raise your voice.

“Boyfriend?!” Tony and Happy stand up in front of you and Peter.

You and Peter look at each other, not really knowing what to do or how to reply in this situation.

“I’m afraid I’m gonna have to cut movie night off early, go to bed, sweetie. Parker, you stay.” You slowly remove your hand from Peter’s hold.

“Good luck.” You mouth at him before walking away.

As soon as Y/n is out of sight, Tony and Happy look at Peter with stern faces.

“So my daughter is now your girlfriend, is she?” Tony starts.

“It’s time we have the talk, Mr. Parker.” Tony raises his eyebrows at the teenager who is awkwardly shifting his eyes between Tony and Happy.

“Now, a normal father would just warn you off and tell you that he’d kill you if you hurt his daughter… But you know that I am Iron Man and that I can destroy you if you hurt Y/n, take away your suit, and ban you from the Avengers headquarters.” Tony threatens, sitting down beside Peter.

“I don’t want to hear her complain about you, see her cry over you, or listen to her rants about you being a terrible boyfriend. There’s hell to pay, Peter Parker.” He finishes.

Tony puts his hand out for Peter to take.

“Congrats on not crying. Take good care of her.” Peter shakes Tony’s hand, still, a bit shook.

“I’ll take good care of her, Mr. Stark.” Peter assures him.

“Good. Go to sleep.” He motions for Peter to leave the room.

Happy just looks at Tony in amusement.

“The next thing you know Eloise might introduce you to her crush from school.” Happy jokes.

“That one will be much harder, I don’t know to threaten people in French.” Tony retorts.

“I told you they’re good kids.” Happy states.

“They are…. They’re good kids, but they’re also crazy for each other.” Tony shakes his head.

“Better him than some jerk with a trust fund.” Happy laughs.

“Yeah, and at least this one’s a genius. I might have to recommend him to MIT.” Tony stands up as the two father figures of Y/n head out to sleep.

Y/n and Peter are at the Plaza Mayor eating churros at 10 in the morning. People are beginning to trickle in numbers, just as the first working day of the week comes to a start. You finish off your last churro and notice that Peter still has at least two.

“Are you not hungry? What’s wrong?” You ask.

“Nothing. I’m just not in the mood for churros, that’s all.” Peter smiles at you.

“Did Happy and my dad say something to you? Is that it?” You raise your eyebrows at him before glancing at the guy who has been looking at your table for the past few minutes now.

‘Of course, Happy’s here.’ You think to yourself.

“No, I’m just… well yeah… We’re okay, right?” Peter inquires.

“Do you not want us to be okay? Peter, you need to relax. My dad is not the scariest man in the world. You’ve met Bucky, right? That one is scary.” You joke.

“He is awfully quiet.” Peter nods in agreement.

He lets out a sigh of relief before putting his churro out for you to bite which you happily agree to.

“You’re gonna make me fat.” You protest jokingly.

“I don’t think one churro is going to make you fat.” Peter kisses you on the cheek.

He spots a trinket store in his line of sight. He notices you wearing the charm bracelet that he gave you for your birthday.

“Where are you going?” Peter stands up from his seat and tells you that he has to do something very important.

You finish eating the remainder of his churros before he could come back to finish them.

“Put your right arm out.” Peter takes his seat beside you with a cute smile on his face.

“Okay?” You put your arm out and notice Peter clip a Spanish fan charm to her charm bracelet.

“Peter.” You gasp in awe.

“This is adorable. Thank you.” You smile at him shyly.

“I love it. Thank you.” You kiss him by the cheek knowing that Happy is only a few tables away from the two of you.

“You’re welcome.” He smiles back at you, not knowing that Happy is present, and kisses you lightly.

“I’m gonna miss our little bubble here in Madrid.” You hold onto his hand.

“Me too. Compared to Queens, Madrid is quite the place.” Peter retorts.

“It is one of my favorite cities in the world. I’m glad dad brought you along with us.” Your thumbs caress his knuckles.

“There’s no place I’d rather be.” Peter replies kissing you again.

You happily kiss him back, your hands moving to his neck while his hands play with your hair.

“Happy’s here.” You pull away after at least 20 seconds.

“I know. I saw him trying to hide his face with the menu.” You and Peter look at your dad’s head of security.

You wave your hand at him and he waves back.

“It’s like we can’t catch a break.” You laugh.

“It’s better that he’s sitting at least 15 feet away from us. He won’t get to spray us this time.” Peter jokes.

“Well then, let’s give him a reason to get worked up again.” You giggle before leaning in to kiss your boyfriend again.

“There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.” Tony sits on the chair opposite you and Peter with a stern look on his face.

“By the way, you two are not allowed to kiss for more than 5 seconds when I’m around. That’s an order.” Tony warns.

“Oh, but you and Pepper can?” You raise your eyebrows at your dad.

“That’s different. Pepper is my fiancée and we’re over 21.” Tony replies.

“Ugh. I hate it when you go full-Papa Bear mode on me.” You grumble.

“Sweetie, this is just the beginning.” Tony smirks at the two of you.

-------------------------------------------------

I’m so sorry I forgot to add the taglist in my previous chapter huhuhu!!

@capandbuck @multifandom-slytherin @accio-rogers @ccold-as-ice @nerdywitch @founding-fuck-bois @bookgirlunicorn @spidey-boio @antaraxy

@tom-hollands-eyelash @saturn-aka-six @sebbystanlover-vk

44 notes · View notes

thebluesideofmyworld · 6 years

Text

Our Songs - A Solangelo fanfic

Summary: Alternate Universe. Will was a famous pop singer who has released an album, and some of the singles from that album topped the chart for a couple of weeks. Nico was an indie musician who played guitar and piano and he didn’t really care about what is happening in the entertainment industry. For him, it’s the music that mattered. Not who sang it. One night, probably the stars up above were aligned, or simply it was just fate, but they met.

(Rating: Teenage and Up Audiences || read on AO3)

CHAPTER 6: “Maybe I Don’t Want Heaven”

(Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5)

Chapter Summary: Will and Nico had a conversation about who they really were. They ended up writing a song about it.

Author’s Notes:

Look at me updating this fic like what I have promised you, guys :D. I finally had the time to finish this up. The commencement ceremony was last Friday, and it was nice. I wore the same dress that I wore for my undergrad graduation and my Master's graduation. Haha.

As for this fic itself, some trigger warnings. This fic has parts about accepting your identity. There's some slightly implied homophobia, but nothing too extreme.

[Venice, a little more than 12 years ago]

Nico buried his face on his pillow. He felt ashamed for crying like this because he was almost ten now. And ten years old kid was not supposed to be a crying baby. But what his father just told him half an hour ago downstairs broke his heart. He still wanted to cry every time he remembered his mother, because he missed her so so much, and now he was going to lose Bianca too?

Even worse, all the thought that he had been trying to hide suddenly came to him again. The secrets that he was too afraid to even think about felt too suffocating.

Everything was too overwhelming, Nico couldn’t fight back the tears and he just broke down into tears.

He was too drowned in his misery, he didn’t hear the soft knock on his door. He didn’t hear the door creaked open, the soft footstep coming closer to his bed.

He didn’t realize that his aunt, Hestia, sat on his bed until she raked her fingers gently through Nico’s hair. Nico turned his head, finding his aunt was looking at him with a small comforting smile.

“It’s okay, tesoro,” Hestia said while kept on stroking his hair. “It’s going to be okay.”

Nico lifted himself up, and wrapped his arms around Hestia’s shoulder. He rested his face against her shoulder and let himself cry.

“I don’t want Bianca to die,” he said in between his sobbing.

Hestia ran her hand soothingly on Nico’s back. “None of us wants her to die, tesoro,” she whispered in his ear. “But we all want her not to be in pain anymore.”

Nico nodded, but still sobbing.

“And in Heaven, she will no longer be in pain.”

With his head still on her shoulder, Nico nodded again.

“Bianca might not be with us, Nico. But she will be in Heaven, happy and healthy again.”

Nico angled his neck. “Zia Hestia, Bianca is going to Heaven, isn’t she?”

Hestia nodded. “She is. She’s been a good girl. She’ll be with your Mamma there,” Hestia paused but kept on stroking his back. She pulled back a bit, just so she could look at Nico in the eyes.

“And one day, all of us, you and me and Bianca and your mamma, we will all be together in Heaven.”

And Nico broke down again. He sobbed, burying his face on Hestia’s shoulders.

“I… I can’t, Zia,” he said in between his sobs. “I can’t go to Heaven.”

Hestia carefully pulled herself from Nico. With one hand holding his shoulder gently, Hestia wiped the tears from Nico’s cheek with her right hand.

“Of course you can, Nico,” Hestia said. Her voice was soft but so full of determination, Nico almost believed in her. “You’re a good boy. I know it.”

Almost.

But then he thought of Mattia and how people were whispering stories about him flooded his mind.

Mattia, the young man with a pair of brown eyes and a kind smile who lived just down the streets. Mattia, the young man whom Nico thought looked like the handsome prince in the books that he read.

Nico shook his head again. “I can’t,” he said, half- whispering.

“Why can’t you?”

Nico looked up at his aunt, eyes brimming with tears.

“Zia,” he said, voice even lower now. “I…” he paused, hesitant to tell his aunt one of his biggest secrets. He stared at Hestia, wondering whether he could trust her.

He decided he might.

“Zia,” he said. “I… I don’t like the princesses in the stories,” Nico confessed with trembling voice.

Much to Nico’s relief, Hestia didn’t seem to be upset or mad about it. Her kind and soft expression didn’t change. She even looked interested as she tilted her head to the left.

“And?”

Nico blinked his eyes, slightly confused. But her expression and the gentle look in her eyes were the encouragements that Nico needed.

“I… I like the princes, Zia,” he whispered. “Not the princesses.”

Hestia curled up her lips into a small warm smile. “And what makes you think that you can’t go to Heaven because of that?”

Nico stared at Hestia, confused and relieved and some other emotions, all mixed up.

He remembered that one day when he walked passed by Mattia’s house one day, when another guy was talking with Mattia over the brick fence. He remembered seeing Mattia, arms folded on the top of the brick fence, leaning forward just a bit as he laughed with sparkling eyes. He remembered how the other guy beamed a smile as he stared at Mattia as if Mattia was the only thing that he cared to look at.

Nico thought that Mattia and that guy were like two princes. And for a fleeting second he wondered why there wasn’t any books or stories about two princes who looked at each other like the way Mattia and that guy looked at each other.

“But Zia,” Nico said, voice shaking. “Noona said people like Mattia could not go to Heaven.”

That’s what his Noona told him that day. She grabbed Nico’s hand and pulled him, forcing him to go faster with her, as she hastily made a cross sign over her chest.

Nico remembered that. He remembered the expression on his grandmother’s face as she shook her head gloomily. He remembered how she murmured about how Mattia was a poor soul, a good man but a poor soul.

Hestia sighed and there was a hard expression on her face. An expression that a 10-year old Nico still could not understand. For a while, she said nothing. And it made Nico get nervous as he thought, this was it. This was when his aunt would get mad at him and told him that he didn’t belong in Heaven.

“Nico,” Hestia said. “Has Mattia ever done anything that hurt you, or your sister, or other people?”

Nico frowned a bit as he tried to think about what Hestia just asked him. But really, he couldn’t even imagine Mattia did anything bad. So he shook his head.

Hestia now had a tiny smile as she asked him another question.

“Do you think Mattia is a good person, Nico?”

Nico thought about Mattia’s kind smile. He thought of that one time when Mattia gave him a bar of chocolate, and told him to share it with Bianca. He thought of that one day when he saw Mattia helped that old lady bringing some of her groceries.

He nodded.

“So why can’t Mattia go to Heaven?” Hestia asked her again.

Nico stunned at this question. He tried to come up with an answer, but all that he could think of was only the things that his grandmother and her friends have been whispering. “But,” he said, this time hesitantly, “Noona said…” he stopped there, suddenly feeling so confused.

Hestia’s smile was a comforting one as she caressed Nico’s cheek. “Nico,” she said. “Noona is a great person. And I know that you love her. But again, Noona is just… a human. And no matter how kind, how lovely, how perfect a human is, God is the one, the only one, who has the right to decide who goes to Heaven, and who’s not.”

Nico stared at Hestia as her words sinking in his brain.

“So…” he whispered. His voice was trembling a little, but this time because of a fragile hope. “People like Mattia can still go to Heaven?”

Hestia’s smile was as warm as her eyes as she nodded, gently rubbing the trail of tears on Nico’s cheek.

“Of course, tesoro. As long as someone always tries their best to do good to other, and never, intentionally, hurt other people, then why can’t they go to Heaven?”

***

Nico stared blankly at the TV screen in front of them. That conversation with his aunt happened so long ago, almost 13 years ago. But now after he told Will his story, the memories flooded back in his mind. It took him a while before he realized that Will too, had been silent.

“So yeah,” Nico said as he ran a hand over his head, turning his head back to Will. ‘Come to think of it, I came out to my aunt when I was 10 years old without even realizing it.”

He chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood. Will still kept his eyes at Nico, his blue eyes looked deep in thoughts.

“What do you think it would look like? Heaven?” Will asked.

It wasn’t the kind of question that Nico expected. Nico stayed quiet for a while, staring at the floor as he pondered on Will’s question.

He sighed, and turned to Will, with a tiny humorless smile.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged his shoulders. “I… I haven’t really thought about it for a while.”

Yes, he was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family. But after Bianca has gone, things started to happen and slowly, he just drifted away from what used to be something big in his life. There were times when he thought about those times with some sort of warm nostalgic feeling. But to be honest, he couldn’t decide whether it was the longing for his childhood memories or the faith itself.

“Sometimes I wonder about it, you know,” Will said, making Nico lift his gaze up back to him. “What kind of place it would be. How do I get there without,” Will’s voice faltered a bit before he continued, “how do I get there without changing a part of me.”

“Heaven supposed to be the place where everyone is eternally happy, isn’t it?”

Will bit his lower lip before he nodded. “I guess?”

“How can someone be happy if they have to be someone that they are not?”

Will didn’t answer him. His expression was unreadable.

“I don’t know,” Nico said. He let out a long sigh. “But if I have to lose a piece of myself, if I have to change from who I really am…” Nico paused. “… then maybe I don’t want Heaven.”

Silence.

“How about you?” Nico looked back at Will. “What’s your story?”

Will pulled his knees up, putting his arms around them. He didn’t say anything for a while, gazing blankly at the nothing. Nico stayed quiet too, letting Will take the time he needed.

“My dad is a doctor. A surgeon,” Will finally said. “And well, you know… he kind of…wanted his children to continue his path.”

Nico nodded.

“My younger brother, Michael? He’s always been the brightest student in his class. And me?” Will paused and shrugged his shoulder. “I wasn’t a bad student. I got good grades. Above average. But still…”

He turned to flash a small hollow smile at Nico. A smile that clenched Nico’s heart.

“I got good grades. But he got better grades than me. And well, I am the older brother, Neeks. I supposed to be the one setting up the standard. I was the one who supposed to be the role model.”

“Who said so?”

“Nobody,” Will answered. “But I guess a younger version of myself already had this tendency to set up a,” Will waved his hand vaguely, “this sort of expectation for myself.”

Will sighed. “And Michael had decided that he wanted to be like Dad, he wanted to be a doctor, ever since he was only like, 5? 6 years old?”

Will propped his chin on his folded knees. “And me? I didn’t want to,” he said. With his eyes fixed on tall in front of him, it was more like he was talking to instead of to Nico.

“I just… I just didn’t want to. It’s not something that I want,” Will said. He sighed. “And me not wanting to be like my dad?” He stopped and turned his head to Nico. “I felt like it’s another disappointment for my family, for my dad.”

“But you’re not, Will.”

Will gave him another sad smile. “Try to tell that to a 12-year old me.”

Nico suddenly had this urge to wrap his arms around Will, and pull him into a hug.

Will looked away again from Nico.

“I started to realize that I might be…gay, when I was thirteen. And I started asking myself so many questions.”

“Like what?”

Will snorted lightly. “Questions like… Is it really me or my heart has mistaken me all this time? Does God hate me? Why He made me this way then if He’s just going to hate me? Will my family hate me if they find out about this? Is it just going to be another disappointment for my family?”

“Tough questions, dude.”

Will chuckled. And to see a vague smile on his face made Nico’s heart a bit lighter.

“Anyway, “Will said as he stretched his legs back down. He took one of the throw pillows and hugged it instead. “I… I told myself, okay, let’s wait until I turned fifteen, and then let’s see what happened next.”

“So you wait?”

Will hummed as he nodded. “Yeah. It was like, as days went by, I kept on counting to the days I turned fifteen.”

“Counting down to fifteen?”

“Counting down to fifteen.”

“What happened then?”

Will took a deep breath and exhaled it out in a long sigh. “I… I came out to my father.”

“How did it go?”

This time, there was a smile on Will’s lips. “It was… I should say that it was quite well. Emotional, but it went quite well. Better than what I had imagined before.”

He let out a small nervous laugh and glanced at Nico. “You watched the video, right?”

Nico nodded, curling up a tiny smile that he hoped a reassuring one.

“I did. And let me just say that it’s so brave of you to make that video, Will.”

Will ran his fingers through his hair. “Uhm… Thanks…”

“I just hope that you no longer feel that you’re not a disappointment. Because you’re not.”

Will’s eyes were soft when he stared back at Nico.

“Will. You’re so brave and you have to know that a lot of people look up to you. That’s something to be proud of. I am proud of you.”

Will looked away for a second and he blinked quickly a couple of times, like he was trying to hold back his tears. When he turned his head back to Nico, he had a vague smile, and his voice was breaking a little when he replied.

“Thanks.”

Nico nodded. There was this sudden urge inside of him to wrap his arms around Will, and just pull him into his embrace.

Nico looked away instead and picked up the remote control.

“I don’t think I’ve watched that episode yet,” he said, gesturing with his chin to the screen. “Should we watch it?” He asked, angling his neck a little to Will.

Will, looking more relaxed now, stretched his legs back to the coffee table.

“Sure,” he answered. He looked at Nico, a small grin on his face, eyes shining a bit brighter now. “Besides, Peralta is kind of cute.”

None of them saying anything about the fact that they watched 5 more episodes of the series with their shoulders touching each other.

***

Will opened his eyes. He stared at the ceiling, feeling lighter than usual. He stayed quiet for a while, lying on his bed, enjoying the peaceful morning.

Then he heard it.

Someone was playing the keyboard in his living room.

Nico, Will thought to himself as he sat up. Last night, after watching five (or was it the six?) episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Nico announced that he was too tired to drive back to his place. So he stayed over, sleeping on the couch, the usual place where he would sleep whenever he spent the night at Will.

Will get off the bed, and padded to the door that he left slightly ajar last night. He opened the door carefully, and just like what he suspected, Nico was sitting on the bench, playing the keyboard. For a second or two, Will let himself enjoy the sight. Will then made his way to where Nico was, and stopped just a step away from him. Nico stopped playing, and looked up at Will. His smile was a small one but bright. His eyes were dark but smiling along.

“Hey, there.”

“That sounds lovely,” Will said.

“Thanks.”

“Is it new?”

Nico ran his fingers through his hair, that looked a bit damp. He probably washed his face before started playing.

“Kind of,” Nico said, shrugging his shoulders lightly. “You know, what we talked about last night? It’s…kind of made me think.”

Will raised his eyebrows as a rush of excitement surged through his vein. “Really?” He said as he pulled a swiveled chair closer, and sat on it.

“What do you have in mind?”

Nico grabbed a few sheets of paper that from the top of the keyboard, and gave it to Will. Will quickly read Nico’s handwriting there.

He recognized some words that Nico had written as possible lyrics, and his heart beat faster. He looked up at Nico, as the familiar feeling of excitement about creating another piece of music ran inside of him.

“Nico? This is brilliant!”

***

Will already had a grin on his face when he opened the door for Lee.

Lee on the other hand had a slightly annoyed look on his face. He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Okay, Will. If I really have to be here on a Friday evening, then it’s better be a for a good reason.”

Will’s grin got brighter as he opened the door wider.

“Oh, believe me, Lee. This is for a very good reason.”

Lee only rolled his eyes as he stepped in. He made his way to the living room area, where Kayla was already sitting on the couch.

“Hey, Nico. How is it going?” He greeted Nico who was sitting in one of the armchairs, absently playing some random notes.

Nico looked up from the guitar and nodded at Lee. “I’m good.”

Lee sat down on the couch, next to Kayla.

“Did Will call you too to came here?” Lee turned his head to look at Kayla.

“Yeah.”

“Has he told you yet what is going on?”

Kayla shook his head. “Nope. He said to wait for you. Nico refused to talk too.”

From where he was sitting, Nico snorted lightly at the mention of his name. Kayla and Lee stared at him as he peeked up at them, but he just shrugged his shoulders. He looked down again and continued strumming his guitar.

“You’ll see,” he said without looking at them. Lee and Kayla only exchanged looks.

Will showed up, pulling a black swivel with him. He stopped right next to the armchair where Nico was sitting. He sat on it, straddling the chair.

“So, here’s the thing,” he said. “Nico and I had a…very interesting conversation-“

“And what was the conversation about?” Lee asked, cutting Will mid-sentence.

“You’ll see,” Will said, waving his hand dismissively. “Anyway, that conversation somehow made Nico have the inspiration for this amazing song-“

“It was also because of you, you know. We kind of write it together then.” This time it was Nico who cut Will in the middle of his sentence.

Will angled his neck a little to Nico, feeling a sudden rush of warmth on his face.

“Uh… Yeah. But still, you’re the one who first came up with the idea,” Will said, smiling shyly.

“And still, we wrote it together, Will. And it’s all started with our conversation, to be honest,” Nico said, slightly smiling.

“I hate to interrupt this adorable moment where you are complimenting each other because it’s actually really cute. But can I please, have a further explanation about something that you write together?” Lee held up his hand.

Will turned his head to his producer, who had a nonchalant expression on his face. But his eyes were twinkling with something. Next to him, Kayla wasn’t so subtle in hiding her amused expression.

“Uh, yeah,” Will said. He cleared his throat as he adjusted the chair a little so he was now facing Lee and Kayla.

“Anyway. Basically, Nico and I, we spent the last two days or something writing this new song-“

“Is that why Nico is wearing one your shirt now?”

Will choked on nothing. From the corner of his eyes, he could see how Nico’s face turned into the color of a ripe strawberry. The dark-haired guy was indeed, wearing one of Will’s shirt. It’s a dark gray one, one of the few dark-colored shirts that Will had.

“Maybe. But that’s not the point,” Will said quickly, running his hand over his head.

“Of course. Of course that’s not the point,” Lee said, quirking a half-smirk. “The point is apparently you and Nico have written a song together.”

Will tried to ignore the teasing tone in Lee’s voice.

“Yeah. And honestly, I feel like so far, this is like, the most meaningful, important songs that I, I mean we, have ever written. And Lee, I want to have this song in my upcoming EP. Probably even make it as the next single to be released.”

This time Lee’s expression turned to be a more intrigued one.

“Okay,” he said. “Care to share?”

Will grinned. “That’s why I ask you guys to come here.”

As if on cue, Nico adjusted his position and his guitar. Will turned his head to Nico.

“Ready when you are,” he told Nico. Nico had a small smile on his lips as he nodded.

Will took a deep breath as he moved into a more comfortable position on his seat.

“One, two, three,” Nico counted in a low voice, then started playing the first notes of the song that they just wrote. And Will started to sing.

The truth runs wild, like a tear down a cheek Trying to save face, and daddy heartbreak I'm lying through my teeth

This voice inside has been eating at me Trying to replace the love that I fake with what we both need

Will’s heart clenched as he recalled the times when he was so scared, thinking that he just became another disappointment for his father.

The truth runs wild, like kids on concrete Trying to sedate my mind in its cage And numb what I see

Awake, wide-eyed I'm screaming at me Trying to keep faith and picture his face staring up at me

Will flashed a glance at Nico, who seemed to lost somewhere in his own world as he played his guitar. Will continued singing.

Without losing a piece of me How do I get to heaven?

Without changing a part of me How do I get to heaven?

He couldn’t help but think of a younger version of Nico, thinking about whether he belonged in this place called Heaven.

All my time is wasted feeling like my heart's mistaken, oh So if I'm losing a piece of me, Maybe I don't want heaven?

As he sang, Will thought about the questions that he himself had in his mind, questions that he felt like were also the questions that other people also had when they started to question their identity, started to wonder about who they really were.

The truth runs wild, like the rain to the sea Trying to set straight the lines that I trace To find some relief This voice inside has been eating at me Trying to embrace the picture I paint And colour me free

Will closed his eyes as he was singing, but flashes of memories when he joined his first Pride parade were reeling in his mind like an old movie. He opened his eyes back, and sang the refrain again.

Without losing a piece of me How do I get to heaven? Without changing a part of me How do I get to heaven?

All my time is wasted Feeling like my heart's mistaken, oh So if I'm losing a piece of me Maybe I don't want heaven?

Something swelled with so many emotions inside of Will as he sang the bridge. He remembered the days that he went through, counting down to the time when he decided he would tell the truth to his family.

So I'm counting to fifteen Counting to fifteen, counting to fifteen

So I'm counting to fifteen Counting to fifteen, counting to fifteen.

The melodies coming from Nico’s guitar went back to a slower tempo, as Will sang the chorus again for the last time.

Without losing a piece of me How do I get to heaven? Without changing a part of me How do I get to heaven?

All my time is wasted Feeling like my heart's mistaken, oh So if I'm losing a piece of me Maybe I don't want heaven?

Nico played the last notes of the song softly. Once the music died down completely, Will looked up at Kayla and Lee in front of him. A part of himself felt so emotional, as he felt like the song that he just sang was something that meant a lot to him and Nico. But there was also a small part of him that was almost freaking out, dying to know what Kayla and Lee would think about the song.

Neither of the two people in front of him say anything. They almost looked like in a trance or something. And it might just be because of the trick from the light, but Kayla’s eyes looked like they were glassy with a thin layer of tears.

After a few seconds passed by in silence, Will cleared his throat.

“So?” He asked nervously. “What do you guys think?"

Kayla blinked, then she quickly shook her head, like she was trying to collect herself together. Lee leaned forward a little, and there was a small genuine smile on his lips.

“Will, Nico…” he said, and he paused. “That, is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.”

Will let out his breath in relief.

In front of him, Lee continued talking. “And seriously guys, I just love the fact that the song is not just beautiful, but it also has a very strong message.”

“It is indeed,” Kayla agreed.

“I don’t really know what was the conversation that you had with Nico that made you two come up with such beautiful piece of music, but I am just glad that you guys did it.”

Lee clapped his hands on his thighs and stood up.

“Since you said that you two had been working on this song for the last two days, I would suggest you two take days off this weekend. But we will make sure that this song would be the first thing that we will work on in the studio next Monday, okay?”

“Cool!” Will said, feeling the lightness in his chest filled him up with warm air.

Kayla also stood up.

“I am completely being honest when I say that song is just beautiful,” she said with a sincere smile. “Awesome job, Will, Nico,” she added, nodding at the two of them.

Will walked Lee and Kayla to the door.

“I’ll see you and Nico on Monday in the studio, then,” Lee said.

“Awesome. We’ll see you next week in the studio,” Will said. After Lee and Kayla made their way out, Will closed the door and locked it.

He walked back to the living room, where Nico was already moved to sit on the couch. He still had his guitar and were fiddling with it. Will stopped by the couch and Nico looked up at him.

Nico’s smile was soft and gentle but the light in his eyes was twinkling.

“I guess we did a decent job?” He asked.

Will let out a small laugh, and then sat next to Nico.

“Yeah, I guess so,” he said. “And I am glad I did it with you.”

***

Additional Notes:

The song quoted in this fic is Heaven by Troye Sivan. I personally feel like this song has a very strong message, and to be honest, I broke down into tears the first time I listened to this song. And I cried again when I watched the MV.

I know that most of you might have your own headcanon about how Nico looked like. But lately since James Bay cut his hair short, somehow I had this mental image that Nico looked like him. And I wrote the part where Will found Nico was playing the keyboard in the morning while looking back and forth at this picture:

Likes, reblogs and comments are always loved <3

#Nico di Angelo #Will Solace #Solangelo #Solangelo fanfic #Solangelo fanfiction #our songs

6 notes · View notes

roseonhissleeve · 7 years

Text

Have A Little Faith: Chapter Five

“Don't be afraid of your fears. They're not there to scare you. They're there to let you know that something is worth it.”

- C. Joybell C.

I had to remind myself to keep breathing.

I stood still, fingertips curled around the straps of my backpack and clutching tightly.

Harry wasn’t wearing his beanie this time, his hair sitting on his head with just the right amount of “messy”. The white v-neck he wore was complimented by the dark jeans that hugged his legs. He hadn’t noticed me yet—he was too busy looking up at the art himself, and for a long moment I stood and stared.

I could make a run for it if I really wanted to.

But something kept me glued to the ground, and it wasn’t long before he looked down and eventually saw me.

I watched as a flicker of recognition flashed across his features, and before I knew it he was smirking. One corner of his lips tilted just a bit higher than the other and I could practically see the smugness radiating from his body. I could almost hear his voice saying I told you so.

We stood for a long time, looking at each other. I couldn’t help it—the corners of my own lips twitched into a shy smile, and I raised my hand so I could fiddle with a stray lock of hair that had escaped my ponytail—a nervous habit I’d adopted from my mother.

People milled about (in silence) between our gazes here and there, but his eyes never strayed from my own. Once again, I felt as if he could somehow read everything I was thinking just by looking at me.

I eventually tore my gaze away from his to look up at the artwork again, taking small steps across the room to take a look at some of the frames that I hadn’t gotten the chance to see yet, because I’ll be damned if a boy stopped me from taking it all in while I could.

But I would be lying if I said that I didn’t feel distracted by the way I felt his eyes linger on me long after I’d broken the contact. I nibbled nervously on my lower lip and turned my head to glance over my shoulder, checking if he was still looking.

Yup.

His smile widened to flash a grin in my direction as I made eye contact again, and I had to hold back a small laugh from escaping my lips as I whipped my head away from him.

I didn’t look back as I headed towards the exit, knowing with every bone in my body that he would follow me outside.

I descended the steps from the Sistine Chapel quickly, and the glare from the sun reflecting off of my glasses caused me to look down at the ground as I felt the sun hit my features.

“Yeh trying to run away from me, love?” I heard his voice call out from behind me. I adjusted my glasses a bit nervously before turning to look at the familiar face, and couldn’t help but smile when I regarded the grin that was glued to his lips.

“Nah, I knew that you’d follow me,” I reasoned before adding, “I just can’t believe you followed me all the way to Rome.”

This caused his smile to widen even further.

“It’s fate, jus’ like I said. I didn’t follow yeh anywhere,” he continued, and he tilted his head just a fraction to the side before adding, “I didn’t know you wore glasses.”

I immediately became hyperaware of the accessory that sat on my face, reaching to adjust it slightly before continuing with a light blush rushing to my cheeks.

“Um, yeah. I usually just wear them when I’m drawing, or reading. Sometimes when I get headaches,” I explained. He remained focused on me as I spoke, and I couldn’t remember the last time that someone seemed so interested in what I had to say. I immediately started to take them off, only to be interrupted.

“Don’ take them off just ‘cause I mentioned ‘em, they’re cute,” he said, and a small smile stuck to my lips. I dropped my hands to my sides, glasses remaining on my features.

“So, what do yeh say, Rosie? Do you believe in fate now?” He questioned. I could sense a teasing tone underlying his words, but for the most part his expression was serious. I shifted slightly, leaning from one side to another, pursing my lips before replying.

“Why don’t you take me on that date, and I’ll get back to you?”

His features beamed, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly with his smile, causing me to exhale an almost silent laugh.

“Well, alright then…Can I walk you to your hotel?” He asked, eyes laced with hope as he patiently awaited my answer.

“I think that’d be okay. As long as you don’t get us lost,” I teased with a lighthearted grin, beginning to walk in the direction of the place I was staying at.

“I’ve been lost in far worse places, love, believe me,” he replied, which sparked my curiosity. It wasn’t until then that realized that Harry must have travelled all over the world with the band and what-not, and I felt a small twinge of jealously at the realization.

“So, what brings you to Rome? I mean, you could go any place in the world that you want. Why here?” I asked, walking at a slow pace. I kept my hands at my hips as my fingers curled around the straps of my backpack.

“I love the history here. There’s so much—so many stories to discover and learn from,” he explained, glancing over to look at my features after he spoke. I flashed him a smile of understanding. “I’ve been to a lot of places an’ there are certain ones that just make me feel…at peace. The chapel’s one of’em.”

“Part of the reason why I came to Rome was to see the Sistine Chapel,” I chimed in, pleased at the common ground that we’d found.

“So are you religious, then?” He asked, eyes filled with curiosity, and for a second I wondered how we’d skipped right past the small talk.

“Not really, to be honest. My family is. My parents and sisters are a bit more lenient but my grandmother is hardcore Catholic and I think she wishes that I was as well,” I explained, finding it a bit refreshing to have someone to talk to. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed having the company—or maybe perhaps I just needed the right kind. “How about you? Religious?”

He paused again to think about his answer carefully, and there was something I loved about the fact that he always took his time to give me a well-thought out response.

“I guess yeh could say that….I don’t really identify with a single one, though. I’ve studied lots of’em and lots of different beliefs and I think I’m still tryin’ to piece together what makes sense to me,” he admitted, and from the corner of my eye I could see him run his fingers through his cropped locks before continuing. “I do believe that there’s a bigger purpose to all o’this. I really do. I just don’t necessarily believe there’s a big man up there who sets all the rules.”

I pondered his words in silence, brows slightly furrowed in thought as I kept my gaze ahead of us.

“What do you believe in, Rosie?”

His words caused me to think even deeper, my grasp on the straps of my backpack tightening slightly.

What did I believe in?

I’d been through way too much bullshit to still believe in a God, or in everything happening for a reason. If praying could have solved my problems, I wouldn’t be the mess that I am today.

I’d like to believe in myself, I wanted to say.

“I guess I’m still trying to figure that out,” I admitted softly, looking up at his face to attempt to read his reaction. If he was unimpressed he didn’t show it, simply looking down at me and showing a smile of understanding. I hadn’t noticed until then but he was at least a good six inches taller than I was.

“There’s nothing wrong with that at all,” he commented, satisfied with my non-answer.

The rest of our walk was filled with lighter subjects—I told him about Danielle in Barcelona, and how she gave me hell for running away from him when we’d first met. He told me about how he’d been spotted by fans in Monaco and spent almost forty minutes taking pictures, though he didn’t mind doing it at all. I described my new friend Nico, and his parents, and how they’d been kind enough to let me have dinner with them when I otherwise would have been alone. He told me that it’d been a really long time since he’d been alone, and that it was refreshing to be able to travel and just be him, without any obligations to anyone else. I had to admit, I felt a little disappointment when we reached the entrance to the place where I was staying.

“So…” he said as I stopped in front of the door, turning to face him straight-on. I was nervous, although I didn’t know why, and I tugged softly at my backpack straps which still hadn’t left my grasp.

“So…” I repeated, a hint of a smile toying with my lips. “Thanks for walking me back. I had a good time.”

“Yeh don’t think that was our date, d’you?” He asked, an amused expression coloring his features. I had to admit that I wasn’t really expecting anything else, or anything extravagant, but he continued before I could reply. “I’m gonna take you out proper, if that’s okay with you?”

I nibbled my lip nervously at his words, and everything inside of me was screaming no, that this was a bad idea, that I shouldn’t be doing this and that I should just walk away and go about my trip like I’d planned.

Despite all those thoughts, the deeper part of me wanted to do this.

“I think that’ll be alright,” I responded, and the smile that spread across his cheeks made a dimple appear on cheek that I hadn’t ever properly noticed before.

“I’ll be here to pick you up at ten tonight,” he said, and with that he turned around and walked in the other direction, no explanation at all.

“Ten? Isn’t that a bit late?” I called out to him, exhaling a tiny laugh of disbelief as he spun around to face me. He was still taking steps backwards as he flashed his signature smirk.

“What did I say, Ro? Yeh gotta have some faith in me!”

With that he spun back around and carried on down the cobblestoned path, and I watched him for a few moments before stepping into the hostel and walking down the hallway and into my tiny room.

It wasn’t until I walked into the room and looked in the mirror that I realized I hadn’t stopped smiling since I’d said yes.

I should have packed more clothes.

The only things that I’d really thought to pack were several pairs of shorts and a small collection of t-shirts and tank tops. There was nothing fancy enough to be going on a date, because nowhere in my mind did I ever expect to be asked out on a date while on this trip. And me saying yes?

Well, that was even less likely.

I exhaled a small sigh as I looked at myself in the full-length mirror that hung on the wall just beside the bathroom. I’d finally settled on a pale green pair of shorts, which were long enough to be fancier than all my other options but still short enough that my legs would be able to breathe in the Italian heat. I’d chosen a white blouse to go along with it; it had pale beige beading that accentuated the dipping neckline and long sleeves that reached to my wrists, but the fabric was thin and loose enough that I wouldn’t be too hot. My hair was up in a half-ponytail, the rest of it falling onto my shoulders and fanning out across my back. It was strange to see my hair down again—I’d kept it up in a ponytail for the entire trip thus far, and even back home I didn’t often wear my hair down.

I didn’t ever have anything to look nice for.

I adjusted my short black dress and pulled down the hem a little bit to cover up more of my legs, not wanting to show too much skin on the first date. I was such a GIRL, I thought to myself, finally forcing myself to turn away from the mirror. My hair was down, in loose curls that framed my soft features and I looked good. I knew I looked good. I wasn’t the thinnest of women, I definitely had a noticeable amount of pudge around my midriff that stuck out every once in a while, but I was comfortable with it. I’d had my insecure phase in the beginnings of high school and gotten past it rather quickly.

I walked over to my bed and grabbed my phone that was resting beside my pair of red heels, checking the time. 7:08 PM.

I took a deep breath as I felt a wave of nausea wash through me. He was only eight minutes late, he could have easily been caught in traffic on his way to pick me up. Get it together, Rachel.

At exactly 7:09 I heard the doorbell ring. I was home alone, which I’d purposely planned so I knew that no one would be there when I was being picked up. I loved my family, but they were a wild, crazy bunch and I didn’t want them scaring Elijah away on the first date.

It only took about thirty seconds tops for me to grab my heels and purse and practically leap out of the room. Within a minute I was opening the front door, and as soon as I saw him I was so nervous I could have passed out.

He was gorgeous. Not your average kind of gorgeous, either. The tall, dark and mysterious kind of gorgeous that every girl wants to sweep her off of her feet. And for some reason he was here, at my doorstep. Hell, I was confident and I loved myself, but I knew that I wasn’t the kind of girl who usually got a shot with a guy like him.

“Rachel…you look beautiful,” he exhaled softly, as if he was reading the last love poem on Earth. His voice was sweet like honey. I could barely meet his gaze I was so nervous, my hands clammy already, and I had my voice in my head telling me to get it together.

“Oh, um. Thank you. You too. I mean. Not beautiful. You look handsome, though.” I babbled on and quickly cut myself off so I wouldn’t say anything else, reaching down to pull my heels on quickly. As I did he leaned against the doorway and watched me, and I could feel his gaze so intensely that it only added to my nerves. Was it normal to puke on first dates? I didn’t think so. What would he do if I did? Fuck my life.

“Ready to go?” He asked once I was at his level again, and I simply responded with a small nod. I followed him out and down the driveway after I locked up, and we were off, the bundle of anxiety in my stomach never receding.

He took me out to dinner at the fanciest place in town, Francisco’s, and had me back home half an hour before my curfew. He asked me questions and I answered them, I asked him questions and he answered those. My nerves never fully subsided, and when I got home I stayed in bed and replayed the evening in my head over and over again.

The funny part is, I don’t remember anything we spoke about the entire evening. All I remembered was that the entire night, I was afraid of doing or saying something wrong.

I heard a knock at my door, causing me to look over and stare at the doorknob for a long time.

I didn’t even know what I was feeling. Of course, I was a little nervous, but there was a constant divide between the part of me that wanted to do this and the part of me that was screaming “no, you’re not ready.”

Harry was charming. And he was handsome, I couldn’t deny that either.

Harry also didn’t know what he was getting himself into.

I jumped a little bit when I heard another knock on the door, and I could sense the hesitance behind it. But my feet were frozen to the ground. I couldn’t do it. I felt a sense of panic rise in the pit of my stomach as I thought about my last relationship and how terrible it had been. Elijah had been charming once. Elijah had been sweet.

But had he really?

“Rosie? Are you in there?” I heard Harry’s voice call out softly, and I thought that I could hear a bit of concern in the way he spoke.

Alright, Rosie. Woman up. You have to tell him you’re not going.

That was fine, right? I’d just open the door and tell him that I wasn’t feeling well. It wouldn’t be that hard, and I’m sure he’d understand.

I finally managed to make my feet move and I turned the doorknob slowly, opening the door to reveal myself finally, and whatever words that I’d been about to say disappeared within seconds.

Because when I opened the door to look at him, what I saw was Harry holding up a single rose to his chin, his features lighting up a little bit when he and I were finally face to face. He was wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a green button up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the green in his shirt making his eyes light up more than they already had.

“Hi,” I said, and despite my previous thoughts I found myself smiling a little. He chuckled a bit, and held out the single flower to me with a lopsided smirk that I’d started to get used to coming from him.

“Hullo, love. This is for you,” he said simply, and I stared at it for a few seconds before taking in between my fingers, smile widening.

“I didn’t know what kind were your favorite so I got yeh a rose. Get it? Because your name’s Rooosie,” he announced proudly, elongating the “rose” in my name in a sing-songy manner.

I couldn’t help but giggle at his words and I looked up at him, suddenly strangely grounded. I wasn’t nervous, nor did I have the overwhelming doubts in my mind anymore.

“I get it. Roses are actually my favorite. So thank you,” I reassured, and when he heard that he’d gotten my favorite right he grinned. I was constantly surprised at how easily pleased Harry was. It was the little things that made him happy.

“May I?” He asked, and I stared at his outstretched hand for a couple of seconds before I realized that he was asking for the flower again.

I held it out and he plucked it from my hand delicately. Before I could tell what he was doing he was brushing my hair behind my ear and placing the flower so that it had a home there.

I watched his face while he arranged my long locks so that the flower would stay, and the amount of concentration he was putting into the simple task was endearing. His brows furrowed just a little bit and then smoothed over once he’d finished, looking back down at my own features when he was content.

“Beautiful,” he confirmed with a proud smile, and I just grinned in response. “Shall we go?”

I looked at him for a moment, at a crossroads.

I could end this right now, relatively painlessly. All I had to do was say that I’d changed my mind, and from what I knew of Harry I thought that he’d understand. I could save myself so much possible pain, and it wouldn’t even be that much of a loss. I’d just continue on my trip and do what I came here to do. I could end it all before it even began…so why did my heart drop when I even thought about closing the door on him?

“Let’s go,” I said with a smile, and he stepped out of the doorway to make room for me.

For the first time in a long time, maybe fear didn’t have to win.

if you enjoyed this chapter, please consider leaving me a dollar or two! x https://ko-fi.com/C0C0VKJI

if you would like to consider supporting my work long-term, please check out my patreon! x https://www.patreon.com/roseonhissleeve

#harry styles #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles story #harry styles writing #harry styles drabble #harry styles oneshot #harry styles fluff #harry styles imagine #harry styles fic #harry styles blurb #have a little faith #half #chapter five

54 notes · View notes