THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND when writting Solangelo, Will and Nico :
I wanted something to remember myself and others of a few things that are important and/or that I are often forgotten in solangelo fics.
While I understand that perfectly respecting everything about a character might be hard nd block creativity, I personnaly prefer when characters are as much in character and as close to their original content conterpart as possible.
After all, I look for solangelo fics to read solangelo not some other pairing/characters vaguely resembling them.
So here is the list :
* While they haven't been shown holding hands or doing other physically « intimate » gestures like hugging, cuddling or kissing, they still touch each other by bumping their shoulders constantly, sitting close to one another or placing their hands on each other shoulders. And for Nico this is already HUGE !!! Remember how he hates people touching him ? => I HC that they only hold hands and stuff like that when there is no one around. And little by little, Nico will learn to be more openly and publicly affectionate with his bae, but that will take time and probably will never be huge on PDA.
* Nico is from the 30's. So not only was he raised in another time, with old fashioned ideas about many many many things, but he also grew up in fascist Italy that considered homosexuals as deviants. Being who he is would have been not only illegal but also very dangerous back then. And for him this was like 4 years ago, not 70 years ago. Even in ToA, 6 months after starting to accept himself, and while dating Will, he is shown to still be struggling with it, if he rejection of the word boyfriend is any indication.
So this, his struggle with being gay, his fears of people’s reactions and his difficulties to accept his feelings and himself, has to influence his behaviour. even in AUs
* Due to all the traumatic events that he had to go through, Nico likely suffers from : PTSD (nightmares, hyperawareness of his surounding and any sudden movement or sound, survivor guilt, etc...), anxiety, social anxiety, abandonment issues, trust issues, self-esteem and self-caring issues.
And all these have to show and play a part in how he interacts and connects to others. Including his crush/boyfriend.
* Will also came through a bunch of traumatic shists that shaped him : going to war, losing a lot of siblings, in some cases right in front of him, people he hasn't been able to save while he is a powerful healer, becoming counselor very young becuse he had to after the loss of his older siblings, while mourning them and taking care of his younger siblings, etc. … We also don't know why he is a year-round camper.
* They both have deep rooted insecurities, and pobably self-esteem issues too.
=> HC that it migh create some issues between them because their insecurities would make them think (and therefore say or do) stupid things. Like for instance when Nico got jealous when Will looks at Paolo's arms.
* They spend as much time as they can together. And I have the feeling that it is mostly Will who initiates it. The only time when Nico openly asked to stay with Will was when the camp was under attack.
=> not that Nico does not want to take any opportunity to be with his « significant annoyance » but he is not yet in a place where he is comfortable enough to be that open about it.
* They almost constantly bicker like an old married couple … and still manage to look adorable while doing so, apparently.
* Humour seems to be an important part of their interactions/relationship. But they can also be serious and reasonable when needed.
* Will keeps giving Nico sarcastic nicknames such as : Lord of Darkness, Ghost King, etc. (probably just to annoy Nico)
* They don't hesitate to telll the other when he says or does something wrong or unsensitive.
* They are very supportive and caring of each other and seem to understand each other very well.
=> HC that this is because, despite appearances and what one would think, they have a lot in common in terms of values and personnality : they are both compassionante, caring, selfless, brave, stubborn, aggravating, had to grow up very quickly at a young age, both harbor deep insecurities, etc.
Honestly they are very well matched and balanced, personnality wise or even abilities wise and this could deserve a dedicated post in itself.
A few things that are not direcly related to their relationship but might still have some influence or that I have seen forgotten too many times in fanfics :
* Nico is mostly recovered from everything that happened during the previous series. But he still has issues with his most draining magical tricks, like shadow travel.
* And while Will is aware of that, he does not seem to be forbidding or reproaching Nico from using it anyway. There might have been restrictions the first weeks/months but not anymore and Will did not freak out when Nico shadow traveled in ToA.
* Nico almost never swears and generally speaks politely. He IS very sarcastic and blunt. But he will say please, thank you etc. even to the deads that he controls or even when he is upset. So please people stop making him use fuck like a coma.
* Will has yet to be seen swearing. But he has a more laid-back way of speaking (I think? As a foreigner it is alittle hard to say for me) and can make health related jokes or insults.
* Will is heavily implied to have had a hardcore crush on Nico for a long (but undetermined) amount of time.
=> HC that they are each other first ralationship because Will does not seem the type to date someone while he is pinning for someone else.
This list was inspired by my post for the second day of @solangeloweek . I will probably edit and update it when I have time because this will be a tool for me when drawing/writting/HC solangelo.
If you want to discuss any of these or add more please leave a comment or contact me ^_^
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