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There was something behind him. Nico could feel it.
New York had its usual creeps and stalkers, but this felt different. The sun was getting lower in the sky, and the streets were emptying fast. A prickle of unease sparked up Nico’s spine, and he made a sharp turn into an empty alleyway. The thing followed, breathing audibly ragged in the still air. Nico darted around a large stack of boxes, increasing his pace. He heard loud crashes as the boxes were pushed over, and the frustrated growling sound of a large, dangerous animal.
Fuck, it’s definitely a monster, then, Nico thought. If I can just- Nico’s fingers twitched towards his sword, but the monster had gained on him. It rammed into him, knocking him to the ground and pinning him with a large paw. Nico’s head slammed into the ground, dazing him as the monster stared down at him with large, black eyes. Something sticky oozed from the back of his head, but Nico ignored it as he whipped his sword out of his belt loop and stuck it in the monster’s face.
The monster reeled back, growling. Nico propped himself up on one elbow, waving his sword in a wide arc in front of him to drive the monster back. Nico stood shakily, getting up on one knee before pushing himself to his feet. The world spun wildly, and Nico fell back to his knees. The monster came forward again.
“Get back!” Nico panted, staggering to his feet again and leaning against the wall. He took a deep breath, then advanced on the monster, sword glinting in his hand. The monster roared, and Nico swayed dangerously. He didn’t think he’d be able to fight this monster, but he had to keep going. He stabbed forward, but the monster’s arm (leg?) swept out and threw Nico toward one of the hard walls of the alleyway. Nico landed on the ground again, the pain in his head almost overwhelming. I can’t beat this monster, he thought in a moment of clarity. I have to get away.
Will would kill him for shadow-travelling while injured, but getting murdered by his boyfriend was preferrable to getting murdered by this monster. Nico gripped his sword tightly and summoned his powers, taking a deep breath. He disappeared into a shadow.
Nico fell out of a shadow in the Camp Half-Blood infirmary, landing hard on the floor. Someone shouted, but Nico’s head was pounding too loudly to hear. He tried to prop himself up on one elbow, but fell back down. Nico’s ribs screamed in pain, and his vision blacked out.
“Oh my gods, Nico?” Will said frantically, turning Nico over to see his closed eyes. His pulse was strong, but he appeared to have passed out. His head was dripping blood from a large gash on the back. Will pursed his lips and picked Nico up to deposit him on a bed, shouting orders.
“Grace, get the unicorn draught, nectar and ambrosia. Kayla, get some bandages.” Will placed his hand on Nico’s forehead, scanning his health. He had a bad concussion, a couple of broken ribs, and the nasty gash on his head, but he’d heal fine.
He’ll be sore as hell for a week, Will thought as he grabbed the bandages from Kayla and pressed them to the back of Nico’s head. What in the name of fuck happened? Nico was pretty banged up for a simple visit to New York City. Will was torn; he was worried for Nico – he’d shown up to the infirmary with broken ribs and a bleeding head wound, for Christ’s sake – but he was also a little angry. Why would he shadow-travel when he was so obviously concussed? Will was sure that it was probably just a monster that caught Nico unawares, but he was still frustrated.
Nico stirred, groaning. He blinked confusedly, staring up at Will. Will frowned. “Please don’t tell me you have amnesia.”
“No, I’m fine,” Nico said, sitting up against the pile of pillows on the infirmary bed.
“I would argue against that. Drink the unicorn draught, you shouldn’t have shadow-travelled with a concussion.”
“I have a concussion?”
Will was tempted to smack Nico. He didn’t, because, well- “Yes, you have a concussion. Did the blunt-force trauma you’ve undoubtedly suffered not tip you off?”
“Oh, that.” Nico took a sip of the unicorn draught. “I suppose. Did I break my ribs or something, too?” Nico said it with a humorous tone to his voice, but Will just nodded and shoved some ambrosia at him as well. Nico sighed and resignedly ate the ambrosia, stretching afterwards. “Oh, that’s better.”
“Yeah, I bet.” Will pulled the bandages away from Nico’s head. The bleeding had slowed significantly, so Will deemed it ready to be healed. “Hold still a sec.” He poured a small amount of nectar on the wound, watching as it closed up. “Okay, I think you’re good.”
Nico pressed a hand to his head and winced. “Can I have Tylenol as well?”
“Yeah. But what on earth happened, Nico? You shadow-travel in here and-” Will cut himself off, biting his cheek. “It’s not fun, seeing someone you love bleeding on the infirmary floor.”
Nico’s face turned soft and loving, and he reached out to bring Will closer. Will sat down on the edge of the bed and Nico drew him into a tight hug, tucking Will’s head under his chin. Will let a few tears leak from his eyes, taking deep breaths as Nico rubbed circles on his back.
He pulled back after a minute, rubbing his eyes quickly. “Let me get you that Tylenol,” he said, hurrying away to fetch the pills and a glass of water. He composed himself as he completed the tasks, returning to Nico with a neutral expression on his face.
“Thanks,” Nico said, reaching out a hand. Will nodded blankly and handed Nico the medication, staring at the ground as he gulped it down.
Nico set the glass of water aside. “Lie down, Will, you look exhausted.” Will did as he was told, dropping onto the bed and lying next to Nico. He rested his head on Nico’s chest, right over his heart, taking a shuddering breath then exhaling. Nico draped an arm over Will’s back.
“I didn’t get a good look at the monster,” Nico started quietly. Will listened intently as he continued his story. “I went down a couple of alleyways to avoid it, which was a bad idea. I thought I could take it. It caught me off guard and knocked me down, and threw me into a wall.” Will inhaled sharply. “Yeah, it did hurt. I didn’t manage to kill it, but I shadow-travelled out before it could kill me. I’m okay, Will, I promise.”
Will clung tighter to Nico, burying his face in his chest. Nico shushed him and stroked his hair, comforting him. Will felt his eyelids grow heavy with the exhaustion, and he went limp against Nico.
Nico glanced out the window. The sun was almost completely set and darkness was covering the camp. Most of the campers were probably in their cabins by now. He turned his head as Kayla came over to check on them.
“Is he asleep?” Nico nodded. “I was worried. Austin’s taking care of the younger campers, but I need to get back. Can I leave you two here for the night?”
“Yeah, we’ll be fine, I think.” Nico was already getting sleepy, though that might’ve been the effect of the extreme injuries he’d sustained during the day.
“Okay. You’ll probably need more Tylenol in the morning, but otherwise you’re good to go to sleep. See you tomorrow.” Kayla flicked her eyes over Will one more time, then waved to Nico and turned the infirmary lights off, closing and locking the doors behind her.
Nico settled down, breathing in the scent of Will’s hair and taking comfort in the way Will’s breathing was even and steady. Soon enough, he was asleep too.