Narrator POV

Nico fidgeted nervously, his shadow tendrils twisting like anxious vines. "Dad, this is Will. Will, this is...Hades."

Will, ever the picture of warm sunshine, offered a bright smile. "Lord Hades! It's an honor to meet you finally. Nico's told me so much about the Underworld."

Hades, shrouded in his usual gloomy aura, raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? I wasn't aware Nico talked much about anything, let alone to his...companions. But I have heard much about you, I believe it started... 2 years ago? 3? I thought he was making up having a crush, a real crush, not on this Perseus Jackson fellow. Good thing there really is someone for my Nico di Angelo to fu--."

"Dad!"

"I-I mean love! I mean love!"

Will, not understanding what Hades almost just said, continues.

"Well, he certainly mentions the amazing organization down here! This place really has it's own postal system! Those skeletal couriers are incredibly efficient!"

The image of skeletons sorting mail made even Hades crack a faint smile. He hadn't ever thought of it that way. Nico stared, bewildered. His dad smiled...because of Will talking about mail?

Undeterred, Will pressed on. "And the diversity! It's like a cultural melting pot down here, from ancient heroes to quirky mythical creatures. You must get some fascinating stories!"

Hades considered this, his expression turning more thoughtful. "Stories," he murmured. "It's true, the Underworld holds quite a few."

Nico, unable to stay silent, blurted, "They're just whispers of the past, Will!"

Will winked playfully. "Just whispers with wisdom, Nico. Even the quietest voices can teach us something."

Hades considered this, his expression turning more intrigued. "Wisdom from whispers," he murmured. "Perhaps even the Lord of the Dead can learn from such things."

Nico gaped. His dad, the Lord of the Dead, was having a philosophical discussion about stories with a son of Apollo? This was beyond anything he could have imagined.

The conversation continued, flowing from stories to the Underworld itself. Will, with his boundless optimism, began pointing out things he found unique and fascinating.

"The flowers down here are amazing, Nico," Will exclaimed, holding a delicate asphodel up to the sunlight filtering through the cavern ceiling. "So resilient, blooming even in the dark. Imagine if we could brighten them up a bit, maybe add some color? They'd be even more beautiful!"

Nico's heart hammered in his chest. Suggesting Hades change the very nature of the asphodels? This was madness! He stole a glance at his father, expecting a thunderous outburst.

Hades, however, surprised him. He studied the flower curiously, a flicker of interest in his dark eyes. "More color, you say? An interesting thought, Will. Perhaps they wouldn't lose their resilience with a touch of vibrancy."

Nico couldn't believe his ears. His father was actually considering Will's suggestion? He cleared his throat, trying to inject some caution. "Maybe, Will, but changing things here...it's not that simple."

Before he could elaborate, Hades boomed, "Simple? When has anything related to the dead ever been simple, Nico? Perhaps this 'Significant annoyance who is so hot I can barely breathe (according to you, of course)' of yours has a point. The Underworld could use a touch of...innovation."

Nico blushed madly, and Will whispered seductively in his ear, "Oh, I can make it so you can barely breathe real quick," and reached for his belt under the table, Hades not noticing.

Nico really wanted to get out of here now. And not even because he thought Will might infuriate Hades, he wanted Will ALL to himself. (If you know, you know)

"Exactly! Think of the possibilities! More comfortable resting places for the souls, maybe even some recreational activities..." Will went on, pretending nothing had just happened between Nico and him.

But... would Nico's father, the epitome of order and tradition, truly consider such changes?

To Nico's astonishment, Hades actually listened with growing interest. He even suggested a few modifications of his own, his deep voice rumbling with unexpected enthusiasm.

As the hours flew by, a strange harmony emerged. Will's boundless optimism, Nico's cautious practicality, and even Hades's stoicism combined to create a unique brainstorming session.

By the time they said their goodbyes, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Styx. As they walked back to camp, hand in hand, Nico was still processing the day's events.

"Will," he finally whispered, "do you think...do you think Dad will actually make those changes?"

Will winked. "Who knows, Nico? But one thing's for sure, even the darkest places can use a little sunshine."

And in that moment, Nico realized it wasn't just the Underworld that had been brightened by Will's presence. His own heart, once shrouded in shadows, now held a spark of hope. And heat. With what Will had done to him earlier, he was going to get him back...

Nico pushed Will up against a tree, desperate. He was hoping the meet would take only a few minutes after what Will... had done... but it lasted much longer than that, and, for the first time they would be doing this not in a dream, he wanted to have Hades blessing for it.

"No..." Will moaned, as Nico unbuttoned his shirt.

"Not before marriage... I can't..."

"Really? Well, I have that covered," Nico spoke, mouth still on Will's, as he slipped something onto his right ring finger.