Work Text:
beloved /bəˈləvəd/ (adj.) - “dearly loved.”
–
When Nico woke up to a skeleton standing at the foot of his bed, holding a note, he knew it would be a long day.
Grumbling, he sticks his hand out for the paper—if his father is going to send summons this early in the morning, he was staying in bed, thank you—and dismisses the skeleton messenger with a look. Unfolding the paper, he’s met with a simple note that reads: Come down after you eat. Bring the blond boy with you. Huffing bemusedly (Hades enjoys pretending he doesn’t like Will), Nico stares at the ceiling for a few seconds before curiosity takes over.
Knowing that was his father’s plan all along, he rolls out of bed and throws on the usual ensemble of baggy jeans and a camp tee (Goth Edition™). Nico opens the door, is hit with a cool breeze, and immediately heads back inside to pull on one of Will’s many hoodies.
Suitably warm, he marches outside and to the pavilion. Normally he skips breakfast, but as previously mentioned, it was going to be a long day, so he figured he could at least grab something to snack on later. Plus, Will was insistent on eating three meals a day, so he was sure he could pick up ‘the blond boy’ in the process.
Sure enough, Will is sleepily spooning cereal into his mouth, hair adorably rumpled. Nico kisses his cheek in greeting while sitting down, and allows his boyfriend ample time to finish eating and fully wake up. When blue eyes are trained on him—Nico checks to make sure they’re clear and not hazy from a desperate wish to be asleep—he grabs the nearest fruit to him and drags the other to the Big House.
Used to his shenanigans, Will doesn’t protest or ask questions, simply following along. They find Chiron in his wheelchair on the porch. The centaur raises his eyebrows in what seems to be surprise (likely at Nico’s lucidity at the ripe time of before noon). “Good morning, gentlemen. Did you need something?”
“My father summoned me and Will. I don’t know how long it will take or even what it’s for,” Nico replies, deciding to forgo social niceties as he typically does. Used to his quirks, Chiron simply smiles in amusement and nods.
“I’ll watch over the infirmary, then, Will. Do you require supplies?”
Nico shrugs, sticking his hands in the big pocket on the front of Will’s hoodie. “It could be a week-long diplomacy mission, or my father forgot to get ‘Seph a gift for something.” Chiron doesn’t outright laugh at his lack of respect, but his eyes gain an extra shine that he decides means the man finds the comment hilarious. “I doubt we’ll need anything.”
Chiron looks to Will, who shrugs in agreement. “What Neeks said.”
“Alright, well, I wish you luck with whatever it is Lord Hades needs.” They nod in acknowledgment, and then Nico allows himself to be led to the Apollo cabin so Will can prepare for the Underworld.
“So, a summons?” His boyfriend asks, beating Nico to the door and subsequently holding it open for him.
Glaring at the wide grin he receives, Nico nods. “Yeah, woke up to a skeleton messenger this morning. Note asked for me to bring the blond boy with.”
Will snorts. “Your dad is a riot.”
Smiling fondly, Nico watches his boyfriend change into a long-sleeve shirt (he gets cold in the Underworld), exchange his flip-flops for sneakers, and stuff his horrendous cargo shorts with supplies. If this were closer to their Tartarus adventure, Will would have insisted on bringing a whole backpack with them, but after several family dinners, he’s relaxed enough to only pack enough medical supplies for five people instead of ten.
Once finished stuffing his pockets, Will holds out his arm for Nico to take. Grabbing on (and if he takes a moment to enjoy the feel of his boyfriend’s arm, that’s his business), he pulls them into the shadows, arriving just outside the throne room.
Nico pauses for a moment to allow Will to recover from shadow-traveling and then struts into the throne room. He’s been half-heartedly scolded for his attitude several times before, but his argument has and always will be that he’s both a prince as well as a diplomat for the Underworld and also that it was him that was summoned, so if there’s anyone else, their presence is less important.
Luckily, his father is alone this time. Hades doesn’t seem to be distressed, so it’s unlikely they’re dealing with a Persephone-related issue this time. Stopping before the god, Nico raises his eyebrow the way his nonna taught him. His dad rolls his eyes, but there’s a noticeable lack of annoyance or frustration, so he doesn’t care. “Hello, son. I’m doing well, thank you. How are you?”
Nico doesn’t respond, but his cool façade is ruined by the giggles Will is letting out. “Hello, Lord Hades. Neeks here is fine, mostly annoyed he was awake and moving around before lunchtime, I’m guessing.” Nico turns his glare onto his boyfriend, but the other only smiles in a way that scrunches up his nose and displaces the freckles he loves to count.
Suffice to say, he gets slightly distracted.
Hades clears his throat. “Yes, well, I do have a task for you, Nico, and I figured you would be more cooperative if William was here with you.” Knowing that was code for his father wanting to see Will, Nico only sighs, holding back the accompanying eye roll.
“What’s the task?”
“There’s a problem within Elysium.” Nico’s jaw drops from shock and Hades nods. “I know, but it’s been something slowly brewing for centuries. I can’t exactly pinpoint what it is, as a majority of my powers are directed towards the other areas of the Underworld, but I can tell a shade there is miserable. The misery is so strong it’s becoming a serious leech on my powers, but I don’t have the time or the ability to directly deal with it myself. I need you both to go meet with the shade and see what’s wrong.”
Nico wants to complain, he really does, but his earlier curiosity has only grown. A shade so miserable it’s draining his father? And, glancing at his boyfriend, he knows this is an under-handed method of Hades favoring Will, allowing him into Elysium where several of his family members reside. Meeting the god’s eyes, he isn’t surprised to find the knowing look directed their way—he wants them to see the task for what it really is. “Alright, sounds good. We’ll do that. Anything else?”
Hades shakes his head, so Nico turns on his heel and leads his barely-contained-his-excitement boyfriend in the direction of Elysium.
Once they’re outside the gates, he pauses. “Will.” He turns to look at Nico. “We’ll look around after we solve the problem, okay? That will allow us more time.” Disappointment flashes across those pretty, blue eyes, but Will nods in understanding. He wishes more than anything they could do it in a different order, however, he knows what he said was true. Taking a deep breath in, he opens the gates to Elysium.
A wave of warmth washes over them. It’s bright, loud, and welcoming. No matter how many times Nico has been here, it always makes him pause in his steps; the feeling of home overwhelms him.
Shaking it off, he focuses on the overall structure of Elysium. He searches for where the largest disturbance is, and finds it easily—Hades wasn’t kidding about the leech on his powers, there’s almost a black hole where the shade seemingly resides. Focusing on the area, Nico links arms with Will and shadow-travels them to the area.
Elysium doesn’t let his boyfriend suffer the usual shadow-sickness that comes from being a child of light traveling through the darkness, so they trudge up a heavily wooded path quite quickly. The area is quiet and idealistic, and it seems they’re headed up an old mountain path. They pass a few empty pens where animals would have been kept before coming upon a cave entrance. Poking his head in, Nico is surprised at how homey it is. Old medical tools hang on the walls alongside dried herbs and several animal skins line the floor.
Stepping inside, he sees Will’s interest in the tools on the walls. Allowing his boyfriend to nerd out, Nico walks further into the cave. A couple of skins hang in front of what looks to be an alcove; pushing them to the side, he finds the shade. He softly calls out for Will, who joins him with a barely muffled gasp.
In front of them is a young, miserable Achilles.
The man looks nothing like how stories have portrayed him. Sure, he has long, golden hair and a lean frame. But he’s curled up in the corner of the sleeping portion of the cave, surrounded by empty bottles of what Nico would bet anything on being alcohol, with a chiton slightly larger than the one he’s wearing tightly clutched to his chest.
Glancing at Will, he sees his empathetic boyfriend’s heart breaks. Deciding he never wants to see that face again, he pushes through the animal skins so he’s fully stood in front of the hero. “Achilles?”
It’s only years of emotional repression that allow Nico to not react like Will when the man turns to face him. Somehow, despite the rules of Elysium, Achilles looks horrible. His eyes are bloodshot, surrounded by bags so dark they look bruised, and his hair isn’t shiny, it’s greasy. Glassy, green eyes scan him, and then scan Will behind him. After confirming whatever it was he was looking for, he goes back to staring at the cave wall.
Nico sighs. “Achilles? My name is Nico di Angelo. I’m a son of Hades, and he sent me here to help you. Could you tell me what’s making you so miserable?”
Silence rings through the cave. Nico stares at the husk of a man before him, waiting until the quiet is awkward and waiting even longer past that. He looks at Will, who shrugs at him, before turning to open his mouth to repeat himself, when soft mumbling catches his attention.
Creeping forward slightly, Nico crouches down in front of the hero. “Sorry, could you say that a bit louder?”
A crackling, raspy voice that sounds as though it hurts increases in volume: “My philtatos, bring me my philtatos. My philtatos, please, my philtatos—”
He wants to respond, but Will’s hand on his arm stops him. His boyfriend shakes his head, and Nico allows himself to slowly be led out of the cave and down the trail they climbed earlier. They don’t speak, the pure misery radiating off Greece’s greatest warrior clinging to them as they wander, and silencing them even as Nico shadow-travels them back to his cabin.
Flopping down on his bed, Nico stares at the ceiling of his cabin once more. He faintly registers Will lifting his legs so he can sit down and then settling them in his lap, but his mind is back in Elysium. “Who’s his philtatos?”
Lifting his head, he watches Will shrug and bite his lip in concentration. “I dunno. He obviously wasn’t in the right mindset to talk more, and I don’t think he would have told us anyway.”
Huffing, he throws his head back into his pillow. “Do we know anyone who would know?”
There’s no immediate response, but Nico simply basks in the wonder of sitting with his boyfriend and doing nothing. He allows the other to work his brilliant mind, instead closing his eyes and wondering if he can sneak in a short nap.
Of course, as soon as he contemplates it, Will jerks. “Chiron!”
“Huh?” he asks, brain groggy from the promised sleep that was harshly taken away.
“Chiron!” Will repeats, eyes shining brightly. “Chiron trained Achilles, remember?”
It takes a second, but when it clicks, Nico sits up in excitement. “Yes, you’re right!” He places a gentle kiss on Will’s lips, then proceeds to drag him out of his cabin and to the Big House, where the centaur in question hasn’t moved in the last however long they’ve been gone. “Chiron!” he shouts.
Chiron looks up at them. “Hello, I wasn’t expecting you back this soon, boys.”
“We need your help,” Will explains.
“A shade in Elysium is so miserable it’s causing a huge drain on my dad’s powers, so he sent us to see what was wrong. We came upon this mountain with a trail and empty animal pens and old medical tools and dried herbs on the walls,” Nico doesn’t miss Chiron’s reaction to his description, “and we found Achilles in an alcove with a bunch of skins. He looked awful,” his sharp intake of air isn’t missed either, “and he said something about his philtatos.”
Will picks up the story. “We could tell he wasn’t mentally able to say anymore, so we left, before remembering you trained him, and maybe could help us figure out who his philtatos is?”
Chiron stares at the table in front of him, looking as though the world rests upon his shoulders and has for millennia. Will meets his eyes, his nerves just as present as his own. Nico opens his mouth to apologize but is cut off. “Follow me.”
The centaur slowly wheels into the Big House, leading them to the living room. Seymour seems to be sleeping, allowing the heavy tension to fill the room uninhibited. Chiron wearily looks at them. “I will tell you the story of Achilles and his philtatos, but it is a long story, so please bear with me.” He sighs before beginning.
“I have trained many heroes. Each one of their deaths cuts me in a way that is impossible to explain, but none more so than the deaths of Achilles and Patroclus. King Peleus, Achilles’ father, entrusted his only son to me for training. I was to meet the boy halfway between where I resided and the castle, but the boy was late. I traveled a bit farther and was met not with one boy, but with two.
“Achilles convinced me to allow the boy, his therapon, to come and be trained alongside him. The cave you described is where, for two years, I raised and trained those boys. I had nothing to do with their physical training, for Achilles was blessed by the gods and Patroclus, while able to keep up due to training with Achilles prior to our meeting, had no wish to fight. Instead, I taught them the art of healing, how to hunt, to take care of livestock. I knew it would be temporary, that eventually the Fates would take them from me, but I ignored the logical voice and grew attached.
“I watched them grow into men, watched them find their confidence, and I watched them fall in love.”
Chiron sighed once more, fiddling his fingers in a rare show of nervousness. “Letting them go to war was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, because I knew they would not come back. Achilles was destined to live a short life but die as a hero, and Patroclus would not be able to continue on in a world without Achilles.
“Later on, I learned the truths behind their deaths. Patroclus died first. Achilles had withdrawn from the war because his pride had been damaged in front of all of the army. He refused to fight. But kind, empathetic Patroclus could not bear to watch as fewer men came back each day, so he pleaded with Achilles. He asked to wear his armor, ride in his chariot, and give the Greeks the boost they needed to drive the Trojans back. Achilles acquiesced—he was never able to deny Patroclus anything—with the simple request that he not fight, only drive the army back to their walls.
“But Patroclus got caught up in it all. He threw spears with accuracy and fell a son of Zeus. He made it to the wall and attempted to climb, but Apollo intervened.” Chiron pauses here and looks at them pleadingly. “Please do not be upset with your father, Will. The gods’ personalities change as humanity changes, and I know he regrets his part in all of this. Apollo pushed Patroclus from where he had climbed, and his helmet fell off to reveal they had not been fighting Achilles. Hector killed Patroclus.”
His voice wavers, but he continues on. “When Achilles found out, his rage shook the earth. He refused burial rites for Patroclus, instead keeping his body in their tent and sleeping next to it, praying each night he would wake to find his love warm once more. Eventually, he was convinced to allow Patroclus’ body to be burned but demanded the final rites be postponed until his death so their ashes could be mixed.
“I won’t repeat the bloody details I’m sure you know well, but he fought and killed each great opponent the Trojans threw his way. After he killed Hector he simply did not care. He went to battle without armor and had refused to eat since the moment Patroclus’ body was returned to him. Eventually, Paris’ arrow killed him. That should have been the end of their story, where they were reunited in death.
“Instead, Achilles’ son, born from his mother, Thetis, forcing him to lay with a woman, was brought to fight. Neoptolemus was cocky and insisted that,” his voice breaks, tears streaming down his face, “he insisted that Patroclus’ name was left off the grave because he was a ‘nobody’ that would ruin his father’s legacy. Patroclus’ shade was never given the final rites, so he has been unable to make the final journey to Judgement.
“Achilles always called Patroclus his philtatos, his beloved. He is asking for Patroclus.”
Nico’s heart is heavy. He looks to Will, his wonderful, kind, healer boyfriend, and imagines being separated from him for thousands of years. He imagines someone claiming him unworthy and damaging to his legacy. It hurts; it's a physical ache, the thought of such a thing. He scoots closer and winds Will’s arm through his, wanting reassurance he’s there.
“So,” Will sniffles, voice thick from shed tears, “how do we bring Patroclus to Achilles? Is it even possible, after all this time?”
Setting his jaw, Nico looks Chiron in the eyes, determined. “I will free his shade to be sent to Elysium, I swear it.”
Chiron’s face softens. “If anyone could do it, it would be you, Nico.”
“Will,” Nico turns to look at his boyfriend. “Could you pray to your father and see if he would be willing to take the three of us to the battlegrounds of Troy?”
“Yeah, I’m sure he could. Why him, though?”
Nico smiles softly. “Because I know you miss him, and I’m sure he would like the opportunity to apologize.”
Will beams; it’s somewhat watery, but so beautiful. His beauty truly astounds Nico sometimes, and he takes pleasure in knowing it always will.
“I apologize, but Mr. di Angelo, did you say the three of us?”
Turning to look at Chiron, Nico raises an eyebrow imperiously. “Well, Chiron, I figured you would like to say goodbye, but if I was wrong, I do apologize for my assumptions.”
Chiron’s breath hitches. “Thank you,” he whispers. “This means more than you could possibly know to me.”
–
The next morning comes quickly.
It takes much less to rouse Nico this time. He’s excited to see the old battlefield and see what he’s able to sense. Still, he doesn’t rush getting ready, as he has a reputation to maintain—only Will is allowed to know how much of a nerd he is.
When he finally wanders outside his cabin (dressed the same as yesterday, the only variation being which of his boyfriend’s hoodies he’s wearing), he immediately spots Apollo. He’s got Will in a gentle embrace, and though they seem to be having an emotional talk, he can tell everything is okay. Instead, he makes his way to Chiron, who stands by the Big House, bow slung over his shoulder and carrying a shoulder bag.
“Good morning, Nico.”
Nico grunts in return, not yet willing to talk to someone not named William Solace. As though thinking his name has summoning powers, he watches his boyfriend and Apollo make their way towards where they’re stood. He kisses Will’s cheek in greeting before leaning against the taller boy, still tired despite his excitement.
“Apollo,” Chiron greets.
“Chiron,” the god responds. “Nico.” He half-heartedly waves his hand; Apollo grins at this. “Are we all ready to go?”
Three affirmations, a brief walk to the sun chariot (it’s in sports car mode), and they’re off. Chiron spends the trip catching up with Apollo (he thinks they’re gossiping? He isn’t exactly sure), while Nico leans his head on Will’s shoulder and dozes. It’s over much quicker than he expected, which he only knows because his boyfriend gently wakes him about a minute before they hit the ground.
Getting out of the car (chariot? Car?), Nico is struck with wave after wave of old emotions. He feels the despair, the fury, the pain, and the hopelessness; however, he also feels the comradery, the friendships formed and the laughter from fireside tales. It’s overwhelming, but not unexpected or new, so he pushes through. Sending out his senses, Nico calls each wandering shade to him.
The first one to show themself doesn’t cause Chiron to react, nor does the second or the third. There’s quite a few more than he was expecting, but he shoulders the exhaustion and keeps going. Shade after shade is gently sent to Judgement, and he can feel Charon’s ferry moving back-and-forth across the Styx.
When no more shades present themselves, Nico turns to where Chiron and Apollo are stood. “I brought us to the midway point between where he died and where his rites were started,” the god mutters, “I don’t understand why he hasn’t shown himself.”
Biting his lip, Nico casts his senses out once more. He searches, almost stoping and asking to be moved elsewhere, when he feels a faint tug in his gut. He heaves back, stronger than the initial pull, and looks up expectantly when the next shade becomes visible.
Chiron’s gasp tells him all he needs to know.
Patroclus is almost Achilles’ exact opposite. He’s got brown hair and eyes, a darker complexion, and has a stockier build. He has a thick beard, and while Nico knows he’s well-trained and was easily able to keep up in a fight, the man stood before them has a gentle air about him, as though he would apologize for hurting a fly; it’s an way of holding oneself Nico recognizes from Will.
“Hello. Do you remember your name?” It’s the first time he’s spoken directly to any of the shades, and it’s mostly for Chiron and Apollo’s benefit. Nico knows the others will have regained their memories once in the Underworld, but he’s unsure if the man before him has any recollection of who he was in life while still on the mortal plain. Patroclus looks at him funny, and it takes him a second to remember he spoke in English; he repeats the question in ancient Greek.
“I do. My name is Patroclus. And who are you?” His voice is warm and kind, and it puts Nico at ease. It’s so similar to speaking with his boyfriend.
“My name is Nico di Angelo, this is Will Solace, and I’m sure the other two need little introduction.”
Patroclus lets out a gasp at the sight of his former mentor. “Chiron? Is that really you?”
Chiron chuckles through the tears making their way down his cheeks. “Hello, Patroclus. It has been so long.”
“Patroclus,” Apollo starts, his face turning sheepish once the shade’s attention is on him. “I would like to sincerely apologize for the part I had in your death.”
“Lord Apollo,” Patroclus says, a kind smile on his face. “There’s no need to apologize. You did warn me, after all, and it has been many, many years. I hold no ill will toward you.”
The god visibly relaxes with a gentle nod in acknowledgment.
“Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you, Chiron, and meeting two new faces, but may I ask what you’re doing here? And how we are speaking?”
Nico steps forward a bit. “That would be me. I’m a son of Hades, and he somewhat regularly has me doing odd jobs for him that he either doesn’t have the time to or cannot complete due to the ancient laws.” Patroclus looks at him curiously but doesn’t interrupt. “My father asked me to investigate an issue with Elysium, someone there was so miserable it was draining his powers, and we came across Achilles.”
His calm demeanor immediately changes to one of desperation. “Achilles? Is he okay? What’s wrong with him?”
Will is the one that answers. “To put it bluntly, he’s doing horribly.” Patroclus’ face drops. “He misses you. When we asked what he wanted, what could be done, all he muttered was about wanting his philtatos.”
“Oh, Achilles,” Patroclus mumbles, hands clasped to his chest.
“I’m here to free your soul,” Nico says, voice gentle. “I’m going to send you to Judgement, and then I will personally lead you to where Achilles is in Elysium.”
His deep eyes are pleading, filled with so many layers of grief that Nico doesn’t understand how he hasn’t collapsed. “Really?”
His throat catches, so all he can do is nod. “Oh, thank the gods, thank you, thank you, thank you.” Patroclus has tears running down his face, but his smile is so wide it seems to take up half his face.
“Give Achilles my greeting and love, will you, Patroclus?” Chiron and Patroclus share a look filled with a thousand emotions Nico could never fully unravel.
“Of course, Chiron.”
At that, the other three back up to give him room. Nico steps forward, hand outstretched until he is touching the other man’s forehead. “Wait for me and Will after your Judgement, okay?” He receives a gentle nod before the shade is gone, sent to the Underworld.
–
He and Will briefly wish Chiron and Apollo a safe trip back, and then Nico is shadow-traveling them right outside of where the shades exit when judged to be worthy of Elysium. They’re only waiting a moment before Patroclus walks through and joins them.
The journey is done in silence, but there’s an anticipatory air surrounding Patroclus. A brief glance shows he’s barely holding himself back from running ahead. Nico smiles softly and speeds up. Once inside the gates, Patroclus stops for a second to take it all in, then immediately is rearing to go.
Nico holds his arm out for Will to take, and then grabs onto Patroclus. He shadow travels them to the entrance of the cave. He watches as the man blinks in surprise at their new surroundings before starting forward. He confidently walks to the alcove where Achilles hides, pushing the hanging skins aside without pause.
“Achilles?”
He and Will stand back, observing as Achilles slowly moves his head and looks up. He’s still clutching the chiton to his chest, which Nico now knows must be a replica of one Patroclus used to wear. As tired green eyes drag their way up to see who was now talking to him, he watches the warrior come to life at the sight before him.
“Patroclus?”
His voice is still just as scratchy and rough, but the way he says Patroclus’ name is almost like music.
“I’m here, Achilles.”
At that, he breaks. Achilles launches himself forward, burying his face in Patroclus’ chest. He’s histrionic, clutching onto his lover’s body with the same determination he did the chiton. They’re both speaking, but Nico can only make out quiet affirmations from Patroclus and worshipful mutterings of ‘philtatos’ and ‘Patroclus’ from Achilles.
Patroclus presses a gentle kiss to Achilles’ head and briefly turns to face them. He doesn’t say anything, but Nico can read the gratitude in his eyes and on his face. Smiling, he nods in their direction, then he pulls Will back toward the cave entrance and allows them their privacy.
“C’mon, Sunshine, let’s go see your siblings.”