A really good time (Or, Nico lets himself be roped into a party. With people.)
Will is incapable of winning even a single duel against Nico. Even when Nico tries to let him win, it doesn’t work, and God knows how that happens.
Reyna pits them against each other every once in awhile (it’s almost a week after they arrived in Malavita), and after it took Nico exactly thirteen seconds to disarm the older, taller and stronger boy, he showed a little mercy.
But he’d never admit it.
After a particularly long fight (Nico felt weird during it - he moved to slow, fumbly. It was like moving through syrup or honey.), Jason confronted him while he was getting water and Reyna was correcting Will’s form.
“You went easy on him,” Jason had smirked, causing Nico to get a tad bit annoyed.
“No, I didn’t,” Nico grumbled, taking a swig of water. He narrowed his eyes as Jason’s smirk widened. “Stop smiling. You’re annoying.”
“You so went easy on him. That’s so cute. You actually feel affection for somebody?”
“I show no affection!” Nico yelled. A couple training soldiers looked over at them, but quickly returned to what they were doing after receiving a glare from Nico. Calmer, Nico went back to the conversation at hand. “It’s just a bad day. I’m tired.”
“Mhm. Sure,” Jason grinned. “That’s what you kids call it these days.”
Not wanting to argue any longer, Nico stormed back to the pair, who had resorted to chatting. At his (and Jason’s) arrival, Will smiled.
“Last today, then I’ll let you three go.” Reyna paired Jason with Will, and made comments to Nico on their form and performance. A pang of jealousy went through Nico’s chest, and he didn’t know why. He assumed it was from Will fighting Jason, and the prospect of them becoming close. He guessed he didn’t want to lose Jason, his only friend, thought he’d no idea why. Jason’s an asshat.
He hardly listened to Reyna. he was focused on the previous duel. Why had he decided to show mercy? It was extremely out of character. He finally chalked it up to Will’s pathetic-ness and left it at that.
A few hours later, and Nico’s getting ready, begrudgingly, for a Night In The Town. After practice, Will invited the three of them (and whoever they wanted to invite) to Asphodel, the capital of Malavita (and the city in which the royal castle is located). There’s a popular tavern there he rented out, or something.
Jason is forcing Nico to go only because Nico has no other friends, and Jason has lots. He wants Nico to meet his other friends. Nico thinks it’s a stupid reason.
Nevertheless, he’s choosing something to wear. He’s groomed (and by “groomed”, he means he’s clean, shaved, and his hair is at his normal, almost curly state and not in the afro it sometimes gets itself in), and now he needs to find something so he isn’t totally naked.
He doesn’t know why this is such a big deal. It’s not. He should go in pajama pants and a ratty tee shirt. he doesn’t even like Will - he’s annoying and makes Nico’s stomach hurt. Yeah, he’s so irritating, Nico gets physically ill from being in his presence. Don’t ask him why he’s not pulling out the crown and unplugging the idea. Hey, he’s Crown Prince of a powerful country - he does what he wants.
Except for this. And most things, really. But he doesn’t want to dawn on that.
No, he needs to find something to put on his body. He’s standing in the middle of his closet in only underwear, seriously contemplating over whether he wants to pull all of his hair out by the fistfuls or literally inhale bleach when a knock sounds on the door. It opens slightly, just enough for Piper McLean to poke her head in.
Nico sighs in relief. “Oh, thank god.”
She smiles. She’s so pretty, Nico thinks. Pretty, but not his type. She’s too into Jason and he’s too into her. Plus, she’s only ever been in the friendzone. She’s never, ever been on his “to-do” list. She is beautiful, though; even he can appreciate that.
She steps inside, her multicolored eyes glittering. “having a crisis?” She asks,not even questioning his current… fashion choices.
“No,” he protests. “Listen. I don’t care about tonight.”
“Oh, sure. That’s why you’ve been standing in here in your underwear for the past half hour,” she teases. Unlike Jason, he can’t get mad at her. She’s always only ever been sweet to him.
“I always need to look good. I’m a prince.”
“And a handsome one at that. Your hair looks great. Who are you dolling up for?” It’s a breezy question, very nonchalant, spoken as she leafs through hanging shirts. Still, Nico stiffens. She’s an excellent speaker; she can persuade just about anyone to do anything. Yes, anything. Once, she persuaded him to interrupt his father’s court in just his underwear. They were young, okay? And of course Nico didn’t rat her out and risk her mother, the former seamstress, to lose her job.
“Nobody.”
“Ah.” There’s a short silence, filled when she hands him an outfit. “Try this.”
He does. While he’s getting dressed, she busies herself with hanging up a few shirts he dropped on the floor during his clothing catastrophe.
Nico checks in the mirror. It’s casual, but still nice. He looks good, he thinks. Tight-ish pants, a loose-ish long sleeved button-up with the sleeves rolled up halfway. They’re both black. He’s in his normal boots. He sighs in relief again. “Thanks.”
“Of course,” Piper beams. “It’s my job. Anyway, I should go get ready. I’ll see you there.”
“You’re going?”
She blinks at him. “Yes? Jason invited me.”
“Oh. Good,” Nico smirks. “It’s about time he grew a pair.”
She fails at hiding her blush on the way out. “Yes, well…” Or her smile, for that matter. “He did. See you later.”
“See you, Piper.” She shuts the door behind her, leaving Nico alone.
~*~*~*~
Nico occupies himself for an hour and a half after that until Jason tells him it’s time to go. The two of them walk out of the castle and off the grounds, into the streets of Asphodel.
Nobody recognizes Nico, thank god. His sword is at his side just in case somebody attacks them, but it’s uneventful. He guesses he’s different in normal clothes. The general public rarely sees him in anything other than his finest and armor.
Will rented out a tavern called Tapsters’. A soldier immediately lets Nico and Jason inside, recognizing the young prince, as he should. There’s a pianoforte and cello duet playing background music in the corner, and everyone’s hanging around, chatting. The room seems to still when Nico enters. A couple people murmur, “Hey, that’s the prince.” “Di Angelo?” “Yeah. He’s kinda scary looking.”
Will beams at Nico’s appearance. Well, Jason’s, probably. He doesn’t know why Will would be smiling for him. Anyway, the other prince approaches the pair and hugs them. Both of them. It’s… weird. Nico decides he doesn’t… mind, necessarily, but he wouldn’t initiate it. He’s not huge on physical contact.
“Hey, guys. Thanks for showing up!” Will turns to face the crowd. “Okay, everyone who doesn’t know him, this is Nico di Angelo, prince of Malavita. His best friend, lord of Asphodel, Jason Grace.”
Jason waves. Nico does not. Everyone says a hello, and the room’s normal again.
There’s not a huge crowd. It’s an okay number - Jason and Will are both outgoing, friendly people, who make friends easily. Nico recognizes the girl and guy duo from breakfast a few days ago, and a couple of Jason’s buddies, including-
“Jason!” Piper runs into Jason’s arms and hugs him, making Jason relax visibly., like he melts into her arms. Piper’s changed from her servant’s uniform to a pretty white dress and leather jacket.
“Heya, Pipes,” Jason kisses her hand. “How’s my girl?”
“Great. Hey, Nico. Nice seeing you again.”
“Uh, you, too. I’ll leave you two alone.” With that, he enters the crowd of people…
...and immediately regrets it. He doesn’t know anyone. He’s standing there like an idiot, a young boy wearing all black who looks completely out of place. Everyone’s smiling and laughing and having a good time and Nico’s kind of panicking oh god why did he agree to this, it’s terrible-
He’s snapped out of his trance when someone grabs his hand and yanks him to the back of the crowd, away from other people.
Will Solace bounces on the balls of his feet, smiling bashfully. “Hey, Nico. You seemed to be freaking out.”
Nico swallows. He takes a deep breath and - there’s that feeling. Why is he irritated? Will just saved him from publicly making a fool out of himself.
“...I’m fine.” Nico sniffs. “Thank you. I… don’t know anyone here. Except for Jason and Piper. And you, I guess.”
“I’ll introduce you!” Will perks up, and Nico wonders if encouraging him was a bad idea. Not so much encouraging, but maybe not slamming the idea of socialization to the ground. It’s too late, though; Will grabs his hand to lead him around, and it fucking shocks him. He almost yanks his hand away, but Will is holding on tightly, and the tingling in his arm feels sort of nice. Not in a masochistic sort of way. It doesn’t hurt, per se, it just feels sort of foreign.
Will stops in front of the boy from breakfast. Nico can’t remember his name, or if Will even introduced him. Knowing Will, he probably did. The boy is talking to a blonde girl Nico recognizes - Anna? Annabelle?
“I think you two already met, but you can meet again. Nico, this is Percy Jackson. Percy, Nico di Angelo.” Will steps aside. Nico silently curses him.
Percy grins. He looks happier than during breakfast. “Hey, Nico!” He does a weird bro handshake, which requires Will to let go of his hand. He’s almost sorry. Nico tries to copy the handshake, but it doesn’t exactly work out. “Nice to meet you,” then Percy pales. “Oh. You’re - the prince. Uh, your highness? His majesty?”
Will giggles. Nico shoots him a look. “Please don’t call me that,” he mutters. “Just Nico.” Percy is kind of attractive, Nico notes, but not his type. The girl he’s talking to isn’t Nico’s type, either. Nico wonders for a second if he even has a type, or if it’s just a random spur of feelings.
She looks up from a book she’s reading (who brings a book to a tavern?) and nods to Nico and Will. “Your highness. Your highness,” she addresses them respectively, “Good meeting you both. I’m Annabeth Chase,” Annabeth holds out her hand. The take turns shaking it.
“Just Nico,” he corrects.
“I’m Will!”
“Yeah, Annabeth. Don’t say ‘your majesty.’ Duh,” Percy grins.
Annabeth rolls her intense gray eyes. “I said ‘your highness’, Seaweed Brain.”
“Hey! Where did that come from?!”
“I don’t know! Would you rather me call you Horse Dung?”
“I’d rather you be nice!”
Will and Nico leave them to their arguing. “Percy is in charge of Olympus’ horses. I’m pretty sure Annabeth’s a Malavitan scholar?” Nico nods. Now that he mentions it, Nico’s definitely seen her around. Will grabs Nico’s hand again, nudging him with his shoulder. “Do you want to meet more people?”
Nico appreciates the choice he’s being given. Sighing, he shrugs. This isn’t so bad after all.
“I guess so,” he admits defeat, ready to let Will pull him around the room.