Dinner was an awkward time or everyone thanks to the men. All four males were too stubborn to let go of their differences to speak. Nico and Will were still mad at each other, and despite father and son being on the same side for once, Nico and Hades still wouldn't talk. They barely glanced at each other. Hades and Apollo did their best to not let their true colors show, but it was obvious that they weren't getting along at the moment. In the end, it was up for the women to come in a save the day.

Bianca and Rachel were slowly getting to know each other, so they had started a conversation, but no one else joined in. Naomi tried to discuss adult things with her husband and Hades, but neither of them would comply. As for Hazel, she could feel the tension and she didn't like it one bit.

"B," she whispered, gaining her attention, "why's everyone mad?"

Bianca smiled down at her sadly. "You'll understand when you're older, okay?"

"Okay," she answered, stuffing her face with mac and cheese.

At the end of the meal, no problems had been solved. Bianca and Naomi knew this was a possibility and had a plan made up already. They looked at each other, nodding slightly. Bianca turned to Rachel.

"Do you mind taking Hazel to her room? I need to discuss with the other about something."

Rachel nodded, gesturing for Hazel to follow. She smiled brightly at the little girl, trying to be as friendly as possible. It seemed to work. Hazel laughed, running to her and pulling her along.

"Can I play with your hair?" Hazel asked, staring at her red hair. Rachel laughed, nodding.

"Sure, but we have to get to your room first."

Once they were out of the room and far enough away, Bianca stood, looking between all four boys. None of them were looking at her or the queen, nor were they looking at each other.

"You guys need to grow up," Bianca stated. "I understand you all have personal opinions, but keep them to yourselves."

"She's right," Naomi backed her up. "Especially you two," she gestured to both the other adults. "You're both grown men and rulers of a kingdom. You need to start acting like it some more. Honestly, do you two want to starts war?"

Hades was the first to speak up, saying, "Or maybe we can just break off the engagement between our children and call it down?"

"Please!" Both Bianca and Will shouted, not even realizing they had. They both looked each other, holding back their laughter.

Hades rolled his eyes. He stood up, scooting his chair in. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to spend some time with my daughters before I leave."

Everyone took notice how he only spoke of the girls and not his son. Bianca and Will casted a glance over to Nico to see how he felt. His hands were in fists under the table and his eyes were squeezed shut. If it was out of anger or sadness, neither knew. Meanwhile, Apollo and Naomi glanced at each other, suspecting something between the two that they weren't supposed to know about.

Bianca stormed over to the doors leading to the room, shutting them. She then turned back to the others, mainly her father, glaring at him.

"You," she said in an ordering tone, pointing at him, "are going act nice to everyone the rest of the time you're here. And you two aren't leaving till you make up," she told Hades and Apollo before turning to the other two. "And you two are going to as well."

"Bianca," Apollo started, "you're taking this too far. Don't you agree, Naomi?"

The queen shook her head, going to open the doors again. Bianca, knowing that they'd won this battle, went to retrieve the younger boys, pulling them along by their ears. They protested, trying to loosen her grip. It didn't work though. All it did was strengthen her hold on them. Once the three were out of the room, the queen turned around to the men. With a smirk, she pulled a key out of her pocket, slipping through the doors of the dining room.

Apollo hung his head defeat as the doors clicked shut and the jingle of keys were heard. Seconds later, they had locked, leaving the two adults locked in the dining room.

🌞❤💀

Bianca let go of the boys once Naomi had finished locking the door on the kings. She then turned to the boys with a look of frustration. Bianca looked the same as well.

"It's bad enough dealing with your father, Will," Naomi complained, "but I don't need you both acting like this."

"I'm sorry, Mom," Will apologized, looking down at his feet in shame.

"It's fine, Will. You're not the problem. Nico," she turned to the black haired boy, "I don't know what's going on between with you but, please, try to get along. With Will and your father."

Nico frowned, looking at the ground. Naomi sensed his sadness at the mention of his father and tried to hug him, but when he leaned in, Nico dodged.

"I'll be in my room," he said as nicely as he could before walking off in that general direction. The other three watched as Nico turned the corner, clearly upset with his day. Naomi sighed. She wished she could do something to help.

"Will," the queen mumbled. "Be patient with him. He's like his father when he's hurt."

Will nodded once before the two girls walked off in the direction of Hazel's room. Will turned, contemplating if he should try and approach Nico. If he did, he knew it was best to wait an hour or so before he did. In the meantime, he decided to go relieve some stress by playing the piano.

🌞❤💀

While the others were off doing whatever, the kings sat in the dining room, not speaking. Hades glared and Apollo returned the stare. They were both too stubborn to put aside their differences and talk about their problems.

Hades and abruptly stood up after many minutes of just sitting and pulled a chair to one of the walls. Apollo looked to see a large vent on the higher part of the wall, but he knew there was no way either of them would fit. Hades knew as well, but it was better than nothing.

Pulling out a pocketknife, Hades opened up the screwdriver and started to unscrew the vent. Apollo watched from a few feet away, smirking as the other struggled reaching the top two bolts. After all, Hades was shorter than Apollo was.

"It's not going to work Hades," Apollo informed him. "And even if you can open it, we both know you can't fit. Or reach."

"Shut it, Apollo."

"Can't make me. In fact, while watching you, I thought of a poem."

"Please, don't."

"Ode to all the short people, without them where would we be? They make great--"

"I said don't," Hades repeated. He had heard them multiple times from the Sun king. It got old after the first few times, so, when he knew he was at a disadvantage due to his height, he prepared himself mentally for the same, crappy poem.

"But it's such a good poem."

"I'm literally five inches shorter than you," Hades pointed out yet again. "And five foot seven is not short."

"Compared to me, yes it is."

"To you," the other snorted.

Apollo sighed, standing up and strolling over to a small cabinet. Hades watched from beside the table as the Sun kingdom opened the wooden hair and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of scotch. He sat the glasses down, filling them halfway and sliding one to Hades.

"We're going to be here a while," Apollo stated, taking a large gulp. "Start drinking up."

"Why?" Hades asked, taking his drink. HE wasn't going to turn it down, but he was curious as to why he suggested they drink.

"Because our wives are not going to be happy with us."

Hades, without other words, started downing his drink as well. Nothing was worse than having your female companion made cause when that happened, their anger was turned toward them and they were ordered to sleep on the couch.

They both finished their drinks, filling up their glasses again, trying to forget about their problems.

🌞❤💀

Will went on a search for Nico. When he arrived at the shorter boy's room, he discovered he wasn't there. He checked with the girls, but he wasn't there. Nor was he in the library or the training area, and his sword was still in his room.

So here Will was running around trying to locate the black haired boy.

A servant had notified him that they had seen Nico heading out into the gardens with his headphones in. Will knew that was a sign that he didn't want to be talking to, but Will also knew that Nico needed to talk. Probably not to him, but it was better than no one.

After crossing down many paths, Will heard faint humming. He didn't recognize the tone, but there was no doubt. The person humming was Nico.

He turned the corner to find Nico sitting against a large oak tree, his eyes closed and his fingers tapping on his knees. HE didn't know that the other boy was there yet, so Will took the chance to watch Nico and see how he acted when listening to music. Near what he assumed was the courses, Nico softly sang under his breath, It was barely loud enough to hear, but Will now knew that whatever it was wasn't English.

"Nico," Will said.

No answer.

"Nico," he said a little louder.

Still nothing.

"Nico!"

Nico jumped, ripping his headphone off by accident. He looked over at the blonde, startled at the calling of his name. Then, after a moment returned to an irritated expression.

"What the hell do you want?"

Will took a seat across from the other boy, getting comfortable.

"I wanna talk."

"Well, I don't."

"But you should.

"And why's that?"

"Because you're hurt. And you're mad. And you don't know what to think overall. Talking helps though, Nico."

Nico looked away, putting his headphones back on. Just by his body language, Will could tell he was right about when he said that the other as trying to deny it.

"Whatever," he mumbled, listening to his music. Will sat back while he waited for Nico to come to his senses.

🌞❤💀

Half the bottle of scotch was gone within an hour. Hades, after a few complaints, had gotten some whisky out instead. Apollo disliked the taste, but the other didn't apparently. Now, after many, many drinks, they were both a little tipsy. Well, maybe more than tipsy.

The two reminisced over old memories and ancient arguments from when they were young. Then, after some time, the two got bored. Hades suggested they just leave but was then reminded that the doors were locked.

"But what about the window, Polly?" Hades slurred, using an old nickname that Apollo hated.

The king sighed, setting his drink down, looking at his friend. "We've been over this already. They're locked and bulletproof. We can't get out through there."

"What about--"

"I already told you no. That won't work either."

"There has to be a way," Hades whined. "Don't you have a key or something?"

"Of course I do. It's just not on me."

"Have you checked?"

"Duh," Apollo answered.

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Are you really sure?"

"Yes. Absolutely.

"Are you absolutely, positively--"

"Yes!" he exclaimed. "Watch me check again."

Apollo stood from his chair, emptying out each pocket he had. He flipped the pockets to his jacket inside out, moving to his back pockets. An old leather wallet was tossed onto the table and a few pieces of tint. Moving onto the front pocket, the sound of metal jingling was heard. Apollo paused, realization hitting him. Hade's expression slowly turned from bored to disappointment.

Apollo pulled out a ring of keys, quickly searching for the key to the dining room.

"Oh," was all the Sun king had to say.

"Apollo..."

"I know. I know. Come on. Let's sneak out of here before Naomi finds out."

Hades sighed, standing to follow the other out.

🌞❤💀

Nico's phone died thirty minutes later. He didn't realize it till the music abruptly stopping, leaving him to listen to the sounds of the outdoors. Upon opening one eye, he noticed that the sun had set, leaving behind colorful streaks in the sky.

The smaller boy stood up to leave, but the other had other ideas. Will stopped him before he could go anywhere. Nico tried to shake himself from his grasp, but if didn't work. Nico tried harder, but Will's grip didn't even loosen. And he wasn't even trying to keep him still.

"Let me go," Nico demanded.

"No. Talk."

"Talk about what?"

"Your thoughts and feelings."

"Oh, piss off," Nico mumbled, pushing past Will. The blonde yanked him back by the back of his shirt, only angering the smaller boy. "Seriously, Will. Knock it off."

"Make me."

"Oh, I'm about to," Nico warned. "Now, let me go."

Their eyes locked, both of them not daring to look away. After many intense moments, Nico attempted to pull his arm away, only to have it jerked back harder. Out of anger or instinct, maybe both, Nico slammed a fist against Will. The other reacted by letting go and clutching his side.

Nico let out a loud huff, making his way back to the castle. Will stopped him again by grabbing his shoulder. The black haired boy then proceeded to grab his wrist, pull it toward him and hold his arm behind his back. Will whimpered at the pain.

"Should've listened to me the first time," Nico told him, bending his arm a little more. Using his other arm, Will managed to elbow Nico in the ribs.

And then the real fight began.

Nico stepped back, his fist ready for when ever Will turned around. When he did, he swung, only hitting air. He realized his mistake just a few minutes too late. Will had ducked and knocked Nico off his feet with his legs.

The smaller boy hit the ground, luckily not his head, but it hurt. Nico groaned in pain, attempting to get up, but he felt something heavy on his chest. After thinking for a second, he discovered it was a foot.

"Are we done now?" Will asked, an irritated tone in his voice. Nico glared, and, just like lightning, he yanked Will's foot off him. Will lost his balance and ended up in the same situation as Nico.

"Yes," Nico answered, his anger clear in his voice. "Now leave me alone the rest of the night, or else I give you a real fight."

Nico stood up and took his leave. Will remained where he was, trying to think of possible ways to approach Nico without warning a punch.

Nothing came to mind. The only way was to wait it out.

🌞❤💀

The two kings sighed, watching from the window of Apollo's office. They had seen the whole fight between their sons, but didn't do anything to stop it. Instead, they poured themselves another drink, a light one, not anything too heavy, and watched as the two settled their argument with their fists.

Hades sighed, sipping from his glass. "What are we going to do about them?"

"Nothing," Apollo answered simply. "You know how young men can be. They needed a good fight."

"But it was barely a fight!"

Apollo laughed. "Oh, you're soooo right. I remember the one your brothers had over... who was it again?"

Hades shrugged. "Who cares? Neither of them got her."

They settled into a calming silence, both enjoying the night view and their drinks. Just when they were beginning to have some piece, something, of course, had to ruin in.

Naomi threw open the door, glaring at her husband. She was dressed in her pajamas, slippers and a robe with her blond hair up in a messy bun.

"You're sleeping on the couch," she told Apollo who sighed loudly, setting his glass down.

"I know, dear."

"We'll be speaking of this in the morning. I can smell the alcohol on your breath from here."

Then she left the room, slamming the door shut. Apollo sighed loudly, rubbing his forehead. Hades offered him another drink, but the Sun king politely declined it. He'd had enough for one night.

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I'm so sorry I haven't updated recently. A whole 25 days... that bothers me more than it does you. Reasons are as followed:

1) I got back from NYC and was busy in the city doing stuffs like that.

2) The week I got back from break, I had SAT's. YEs, that thing that basically tells me if I'm 'college ready' or not. Then there was some other test called Workkeys. 

3) Easter. A serious holiday when you live with my grandpa.

4) Kind of got lazy and slacked off :/

5) Went to my first convention last week in Chicago. Lot of people asked for my picture cause I was cosplaying Viktor from YOI.

I wanted to do a double update, but I'm still busy. Prom's this weekend (not that I'm going) but I have to get ready to have a few friends over. I told myself that if I chose not to go this year I'd do something fun so I didn't end up regretting it so yeah. 

Anyways, I don't have much else to say other than that.

Fan art (who needs flower crowns when you have this):