Golden Waves (Solangelo AU)

Chapter 1

"What happened?" Will asked worried, using all his strength to pull himself onto the dock so he could sit next to his best friend.

"B-Bianca said I couldn't play with her today because sh-she was busy," He said, his body shaking. "N-no one came to m-my party, and even Papa was busy... he gave a bunch of gifts, but wasn't even there! Who does that?" Nico was crying helplessly, leaning onto Will even though he was soaking wet.

"I'm so sorry that happened," Will said, speechless. He felt anger boiling inside him. Why would anyone do that to such a sweet little kid like Nico?

"The only people there were the servants," Nico said quietly, trying to wipe away his tears. "They're the ones who gave me my father's presents. They sang me happy birthday and baked my cake. Not my family. Not my so-called friends. It was the people whose job it was to do that!"

Will rubbed Nico's back gently, wanting nothing more than for Nico to get everything he deserved. Unfortunately, he didn't have the power to do that.

"I-I'm sorry," Nico said, trying to pull away. "I probably sound like a huge brat right now," he laughed dryly.

Will immediately pulled him back into his hold. "Nico di Angelo, it is okay to be sad. You are allowed to be upset, especially after what your family just did to you."

"Th-thanks, Will," Nico said, offering a small smile. "But I'll be okay."

"Okay," Will said, finally letting go of his best friend. "But if it makes you feel any better... I got you a present."

"Really?" Nico asked hopefully. "You...you didn't have to."

"Yes I did, especially after the birthday present you gave me," Will said. When Will's birthday had rolled around, Nico had gotten his mermaid friend a beautiful and dangerous bow and arrow. Though, it wasn't that surprising since Nico had been taking sword lessons since the ripe age of five.

"You still have it?" Nico asked, his eyes shining.

"Of course I do!" Will said incredulously. "I've been practicing and I'm getting really good!" the young mermaid smiled proudly. "Anyway, here is your gift."

Will held up a silver chain necklace with a small glass bottle attached to it. Inside the bottle contained a glossy, dark red liquid.

"Now don't freak out," Will warned. "It's not as weird as it sounds, I promise."

"Okay...?" Nico said, giving his friend a questioning glance.

"It's mermaid's blood," Will said quickly, and Nico's jaw dropped. "Just listen," the young prince nodded slightly. "Mermaid blood is magic. It can heal any wound, sickness, or injury, but it can't bring back the dead so keep that in mind. In the bottle is my blood, three drops of it, which should be enough for three people if used wisely."

"Will... I'm nine," Nico said, raising an eyebrow.

"Just take it! You never know when you'll need it so promise me you'll always keep it on you, okay?" Will said, making his human friend look him straight in the eye.

"Okay, okay, I promise," Nico laughed.

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"Guess what?" the now ten year old prince asked his mermaid friend blandly.

"What?" Will said curiously.

"Bianca's friend, Zoe, is having a camping sleepover with all of her friends," Nico said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Which means I wasn't invited. Again."

"That's mean!" Will said angrily.

"Do...do you think they're excluding me on purpose?" Nico asked quietly, holding his little crown in his hands. "They do this all the time. Whenever there's a party or they're hanging out, they...they always avoid me."

"That's because they're stupid," Will said. "They think they're cool when they don't invite you, but really they're being jerks. 'All bad actions will come back to bite you in the tail'. That's what my Ma says."

"But I don't have a tail, Will," Nico said, trying to hide his grin.

"You know what I mean!" Will laughed, and when he did, Nico thought it sounded like music.

"Hey Will?" Nico said shyly, holding something behind his back.

"Yeah, Neeks?" Will answered.

"I... I got you something," Nico said, handing Will a silver chain necklace, just like the one Nico had, except this one had a white seashell on it instead of a bottle. Even though it was fairly simple, it was still beautiful.

"Oh Nico..." Will said when he took a closer look. On one side of the seashell, engraved in cursive were the words You are my solace, my light, my sunshine - Nico. "I-it's...I don't know what to say...it's beautiful!"

In that moment, Will jumped on the young prince, embracing him in a wet hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Will said, and you could practically hear the smile in his voice. "I will never take it off, I promise!"

"I'm glad you like it!" Nico said between laughs and giggles. When Will finally got off, both were wet, a bit out of breath, but most importantly, smiling like idiots. "The blacksmith made it after I told him my idea," the small boy said, his cheeks a bit red.

"I can't thank you enough," Will said, smiling softly. Before Nico could say something else, a voice was heard in the distance.

"Prince Nico! Prince, please come, it's your sister! She's been hurt!" One of the palace guards called. Nico's face fell in an instance.

"Bianca...?" Nico asked, his chest tightening at the thought. "W-Will! You need to go or they might find you!"

"O-Okay," Will said, beginning to go back into the water. "You still have the bottle?" Nico nodded stiffly. "Good. I'll see you soon, Neeks," Will said, falling back into the water and swimming away, not knowing those last words would be a lie.

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Thank you so much for reading! I hope you liked this first chapter! <3