#bouyantsaturn

[gatesofember]

hewwo I am rereading amau. I'm sure you've talked about this before but after Lee and Michael die will is technically next in line to inherit, right? but how does that work if he's already married off? does it go down to Austin?

get cozy and be ready for a bedtime story, because as usual, this answer got away from me

Will actually isn’t next in line! he and Austin aren’t able to inherit because they’re illegitimate. the duchy goes to Kayla. she thought about joining the sorority as a kid but fortunately had abandoned that idea by the time she became first in line.

Will and Austin could become next in line if Apollo legitimizes them (natural-born kids can be legitimized in a legal process; Aphrodite legitimized all her kids). but becoming the duke is Austin’s worst nightmare tbh and Will wouldn’t be able to take over the duchy while married to Nico.

if Kayla did decide to join the sorority, the duchy would go to the next person in line: everybody’s favorite guy, Octavian.

I did have the idea that Nico would offer to have the marriage annulled so that Will could take care of his family, since Austin had no interest in becoming the duke and Kayla (they thought) wanted to be a soror. of course this made Will angry:

Nico swallowed thickly.  “Perhaps...perhaps if it comes to that, you and I will have to...annul the marriage.”  Will, in the eyes of the Juvian Empire, was a Pluton now.  Only an annulment would change that.  And later, if Will became the duke, he would need an opposite-sex marriage to create a more legitimate heir than Octavian. Will rubbed his temple.  “No.  No, I...Nico, there will be another solution.” Nico nodded in silence.  He watched the curve of Will’s face and the occasional blink of his eyes as Will sat in deep, solemn thought.  He did not share those thoughts with Nico.

...

After several moments of silence fell between them, Nico cleared his throat.  “Have you given any thought to what I said last night? Will ground his teeth without replying.  He did not want to think of it. When Will gave no answer, Nico said, “Will, if it comes to it and you want an annulment, I would support you.” “We can’t,” Will said, just as he had the day before.   “I won’t allow it to come to that.” “But Will, if it’s best for Diana--” “What about what’s best for me, Nico?” Will interrupted softly.  “Had you thought of that?  Maybe an annulment wouldn’t be as hard for you as it would be for me.  You’re a prince; you could just find another duke’s bastard to marry.  But as for me?  I’ll find a wife — a countess, most likely.  Someone to build a family line with.  I’d never have a marriage as advantageous as this one.  I could never have a life like the one you’ve given me.  You could easily find someone as good as me to marry -- probably better.  But I would be forever miserable, knowing the life and the man I left behind.  How could I leave the palace and its wonders, or your sister and my dear Bonnie?  How could I abandon Pluto and the people I have adopted as my own?  How could I ever smile again?  How could I ever lie with anyone when I know what it’s like to lie with you?  I could never be so happy with anyone else -- yes, because of the things your status enables me to do and the people it lets me help, but also because of my love for you.” “Will--” “But by all means, if our marriage means so little to you, then perhaps an annulment would be best, should it come to that.” “Will, stop this.  I did not mean it that way and you are fully aware of it.” “Am I?  You suggested it so casually.” “Casually?  You think I am casual about the possibility of ending our marriage?” “It wouldn’t be the first time that our marriage meant less to you than it did to me.” “Will, I’m offering for you.  I suggested it not because our marriage means little to me, but because you mean more to me than our marriage.  If you needed it, I would make that sacrifice.  Do you truly believe that I could replace you so easily?  I wouldn’t see another suitor as long as I live.  You are the only one who wants me.” “You know very well that’s a lie--” “It isn’t,” Nico insisted.  “You were the only one who ever told me you wanted to see me again.  You were the only one to smile at me and the only one who always looked happy to see me.  No one wants me, Will.  I have a terrible temper, my father’s kingdom is in debt, and anyone who could possibly help would never agree to a marriage because I have nothing to offer but a name.  I was refused by everyone who I ever tried to court -- except you.”  Nico folded his arms in front of himself, looking very small and cold and afraid.  “I don’t want to marry anyone else.  Not when I know what it’s like to have someone as wonderful as you.  I am completely yours, Will.  I always will be.”

...

“I lost my brothers, Nico.  I cannot lose my husband, too.”

but Will did bring this up with his family later on while they were discussing what to do next:

Will took a breath.  “Nico and I have discussed annulling the marriage,” he said.  “Should Kayla join the Sorority, His Highness would be willing to part amicably.  I...I have told him no, but if it is what is best--” “Don’t be stupid, Will,” Kayla cut in.  “How could I ask that of you?  I will not be joining the Sorority.” “Kayla, it has been your aspiration for years--” “When I was a child,” Kayla said.  “This is my duty now.  Your duty is to your husband.”

however...the family thought there was another option:

“There won’t be any need for that,” Lou Ellen said quietly.  Will noticed her hands shaking.  “Lee and I planned to tell you that night.  I’m expecting a baby.”

Lou Ellen and Lee's baby would have had a better claim to the duchy than Kayla. so Will reported this to NIco:

“Lou Ellen is expecting,” Will said stiffly.   “She is?  Oh, Will, I--” “So you can forget all your ridiculous notions of annulling our marriage,” Will interrupted. “I already have,” Nico answered.

unfortunately, the baby was stillborn, so Kayla stayed next in line.

(the big am au file is so massive that the app kept crashing on my phone so I had to find all this on my computer)

some other excerpts from the "Will's brothers die and everything goes to shit" fic because I can't help myself I NEED someone to read this because I'm never going to get around to writing this:

(note that I wrote all this before deciding that Will was enby so if you see any mistakes, that's why)

“Will...” Nico started.  “If there is anything you need, ask for it.” “I need my brothers,” Will whispered. Nico closed his eyes.  He still remembered hearing about Bianca’s death.  He remembered the fear that rattled his body at the thought of succession.  He remembered the confusion, the anger, the guilt.... Truth be told, he still felt that way. Will blamed himself, Nico knew.  They had been the targets of the assassination, not Lee and Michael.  But Will and Nico had been off on their own, enjoying each other like two foolish young lovers. No, that wasn’t true.  It had been Nico -- Nico was the person who was meant to be assassinated, not Will.  Oh, how Will must despise him.... “Will, I....”  Nico did not know what to say.  An apology did not seem to suit the situation.  Will would not want an apology. “I would like to sleep in my own room tonight,” Will said softly.

...

Will hardly slept, but did not venture from his bed until after the sun had risen.  He felt terribly alone and for a moment, he regretted his decision to sleep by himself.  But no, he did not wish to burden his husband with his grief.  His restlessness would have kept Nico from sleeping. He pulled his dressing gown over his nightclothes and stepped into a pair of silk slippers before leaving his room.  He found his husband seated outside.  Nico rose to his feet when he saw Will, as though he owed Will that respect. “I was thinking of waking you,” Nico said.  “Chiron came by.  I told him we would take our breakfast here.  Would you prefer otherwise?” “No,” Will said without feeling, taking a seat on the couch by the fire.  “That will do, thank you.”  He realized he sounded as though he were dismissing a servant after the words left his mouth, but Nico did not appear to take offense.  He merely reclaimed his seat in silence, and they did not speak until their breakfast arrived. “I have no appetite,” Will said when Nico offered to fix him a plate from the tray of cuts. “Would you please try to eat?” Nico asked.  “At least a bit?” Will hesitated before nodding his consent.  Nico prepared him a plate and sat with him on the couch, where he cut Will’s meat for him and even brought it to Will’s lips like Will was little more than a helpless child. Will felt like a helpless child. “No more,” Will said a little while later, when Nico offered him another bite.  Nico nodded and took the plate away.  He did not get a plate for himself before sitting beside Will again, but Will did not have the energy to question him.

...

Will turned back to his father and stepmother and saw that their heads were bowed together, their fingers loosely linked between them.  He couldn’t recall ever seeing them be physically affectionate with each other, even in his childhood.  They avoided speaking to each other or even being in the same room if they were able to.  A part of him suspected that Kayla was natural-born, as well -- a child of Daphne and one of her favorites.  But it was not the time for questioning Kayla's legitimacy.  That time would never come.  If Kayla was natural-born, the secret would die with Daphne and Apollo.  Will turned away and left the room.

...

“Would you come to bed with me?” Nico asked, his hands shaking in his lap. “I would like to sleep alone,” Will said. Nico closed his eyes and forced himself to remain composed.  It was selfish of him to want Will to himself.  Will was hurting and Nico had no right to impose if he wasn't wanted.  And, after all, why would Will want him?  It was Nico's fault his brothers were dead.  “I...of course.  Of course.” Will remained still, his hands unmoving and his eyes unseeing, as Nico stood to retire to his bed. “Will, my love?” he said. Will glanced at him. “You must know that should you need me, my door is always open to you.” Will nodded in silence. “Sleep well, dearest,” Nico said.  He received no answer before he closed the door to his room.

...

“I would like to sleep in my own room,” Will whispered. Nico took a deep breath.  “Then may I join you?” he asked. He rarely stayed in Will’s room.  When they slept together, it was always in Nico’s.  It had become a habit; they naturally went to Nico’s room to sleep.  Nico had never questioned it before, but now he wondered why that was. Will stared at him without answering.  Nico said, “Never mind, my dear.” Nico turned to walk into his own room, but he heard Will stand and whisper, “Wait.” Nico turned back and Will dropped his gaze.  “Would you stay with me?” he asked softly. “Of course I will,” Nico answered.  “Anything you want.”

...

“I feel better when you hold me.” “Then why did you want to sleep alone?” At first, Will said nothing.  But then— “Because I didn’t want you to see me cry,” Will whispered.

...

“Are you angry?  Do you blame me?” Will’s arms tightened around Nico’s waist and he buried his face in Nico’s chest.  “I don’t want to,” he said softly. “But you do.” Tears stung Will’s eyes.  “I love you so much,” he said, his voice cracking with tears.  “I’m so sorry, Nico, I’m so sorry.  I shouldn’t blame you this way.” Nico kissed the crown of Will’s head.  “I blame myself, as well.” “I know,” Will said, his body starting to shake with sobs.  “I...I hate this, Nico.  I don’t understand any of it.  I wake up every morning and think about something I have to tell them, but they’re not here, or I think about how I will miss them when we go home, but I will miss them forever.” “Will--” “Gods above, don’t ever leave me, Nico.  Don’t ever make me feel this way.”

...

“I hate this, Nico.  I love you so much, but I can’t...I can’t even look at you without thinking that it’s our fault my brothers are dead.  They took my brothers from me.  They want to take you from me.  And I feel like they’ve torn this divide between us, like we were good and pure and they ruined it with stains of blood.  They’ve taken my family from me.  They’ve taken my love for you and twisted it into something so confusing I can’t make sense of it.”

...

“I think you should return to Pluto.” “Yes.” “And I will remain here.  Until things have begun to settle, I must stay with my family.  I will see Lou Ellen through her pregnancy and ensure the baby's health.” “Then I suppose we will not see each other for a very long time.” “No.  It may even take a year.” “It...it won’t be easy for me.” “It won’t be easy for me, either.  But perhaps it’s for the best.  Being apart...it will give me a chance to think this over.  I need time to mourn and heal with my family.” “And you’ll come back home to me?” “Yes,” Will said.  “I always will.  Do you trust me?” “Yes, of course.  But I’m still afraid.” “So am I.” “We’ll write to each other,” Nico said, lacing his fingers through Will’s.  “Just like when we were courting.” Will smiled.  But it wouldn’t be like when they were courting.  They both knew that. “Will you still love me when I see you again?” Nico whispered. “I don’t know what it’s like to not love you.” “Well, I hope you don’t learn.” “I don’t think I can.”

...

“Write to me.  Write to me whenever you are able.” “I will.” “And be there for me to come home to.” “I’ll be waiting.” “Give Bonnie my love.” “Always.” “And kiss your sister for me.” “Of course.”

...

“You have a son, Lou,” Will said.  “Would you like to hold him?” “I…” Lou Ellen stopped and sobbed, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.  “I don’t...I don’t know.  I don’t know.” Will tried to hold his tears back for Lou Ellen’s sake.  She didn’t need to see him cry.  “Would you like me to tell you about him?” he asked.  Lou Ellen nodded to that, still sobbing quietly into her hand. Will swallowed and looked down at the lifeless baby in his arms.  “He’s beautiful,” Will said.  “He has two eyes and ten little fingers.  He has your dark hair, but his complexion is more tan like Lee’s.  He looks so peaceful, Lou.”  Will had to stop talking to keep his voice from cracking.  He didn’t know what else to say.  How could he describe this wonderful, horrible gift? “May I hold him?” Lou Ellen asked shakily. “Of course,” Will croaked, going to her bedside and passing her the baby. Lou Ellen was silent for a long time.  She gently touched the curve of his cheek and ran her fingers over the thin hair on his head. “He looks like he’s sleeping,” Lou Ellen finally whispered.

...

The baby was stillborn, Will wrote.  I am coming home.  Lou Ellen will accompany me. He didn’t know what else to say, so he folded the letter in an envelope and sealed it.

...

“Will,” Nico whispered, not sure if he was welcome at all.  He wanted to cradle Will’s face in his hands, to brush his fingers over Will’s cheeks and memorize his lines again.  Had Will changed?  How much had he aged?  How much had Nico missed out on?  “I missed you.” It seemed like such an understatement.  Nico had felt like a part of himself was gone.  He’d felt hollow without Will.  His bed had been empty — no Will, no Asterion...Bonnie sometimes followed him to bed and spent the night with him, but more often than not, she stayed with Hazel. The corner of Will’s mouth quirked up so subtly that Nico would have missed it had he not been looking for it.  “I missed you,” he whispered back, and then suddenly they were both rushing across the room to hold each other.

...

“Will things ever be the same between us?” Nico asked in a whisper. “No,” Will answered.  “But I love you, Nico.  We will heal and grow, and you and I will become stronger than we ever were.” “Then you don’t hate me?” Nico asked, despising the pathetic taste of those words on his tongue. “Nico, my darling prince,” Will said, slowly turning to face him.  “Do you really believe that I could ever hate you?” Nico swallowed.  “I don’t know, Will.  I really don’t.  I don’t know anything anymore.” Will took Nico’s chin in his and tilted his head up, forcing Nico to meet his eyes.  “Well, I don’t hate you.  And I never will.  I will love you through anything, Nico.  Through the coldest of winters and the darkest of nights, through ridiculous arguments and petty misunderstandings, through the best days of our lives and through the worst.  I will love you when you are weak and when you are strong, when you are stubborn and obstinate and when you are sweet and kind.  I will love you when you push me off the bed in your sleep and I will love you when I wake up in your arms in the morning.”

[intermediateills]

ANNALISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! welcome to the DREAM TEAM I am SO excited to work with u for the big bang!!!! I can already almost picture whatever you're going to make and in my head it's already amazing which means the real deal is going to be so much better 🥰💖💚💖💙❣🥰 also good morning I am off to bed 🙏

hell yea

[crushing-on-nico-di-angelo]

so so glad this is relateable

started as a solangelo blog but all my mutuals are jasico and I'm being converted

[the-ghost-king]

i noticed that you like trans will so if you’re looking for a good trans will fic i would suggest ‘all because you kissed me goodnight’ by buoyantsaturn on AO3. it’s just very heartwarming and sweet and it not as angsty as most trans fics which can be really nice

Anything by bouyantsaturn is always so lovely! I had to reread some of the first chapter but this is their camp counselor fic right?

My favorite part even after finishing it is still Nico telling Percy "please just call me a slur next time" because it feels like such a "them" interaction~

Also trans Will was something for a long time I was like "that's cool I just don't really see him as trans" and for some reason the last week my brain has been like "you may only think about trans Will and you will love him actually" and now I want broader shoulders...

Anyhow the fic is here if anyone else is interested in checking it out!

[gatesofember]

hey uhhh youre not gonna fix that conception problem and then immediately be very mean to lee are you??

[gatesofember]

i would tell you not to worry about the next chapter and to take your time but i don't think that's what your looking for right now so instead: good luck!! i believe in you and i'm very super excited to read it!!

THANK YOU I WILL DO MY BEST!!