Work Text:
Nico woke up the morning of February 14th with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. This was, decidedly, a very big problem.
Nico’s never been the type of person to get sick very often. Maybe twice a year, during cold season, the occasional bug if one spreads around camp. Nico doesn’t get sick but when he does, Will acts like it’s the end of the world. Bed rest for at least five days, soup and multiple visits to the infirmary, and, most annoyingly, little to no interaction with anyone to keep the sickness from spreading across camp. He would probably find how much Will cared a lot cuter if it didn’t always ruin his plans for the next week.
And this week’s plans cannot be ruined. Especially not today, and especially not by Nico.
Will had been talking for weeks about how excited he was. Chiron had approved for them to leave camp, and Nico was just glad that Will was taking a much needed break. And that he’d chosen to spend that break with Nico.
If he’s being honest, he’d never really been that into Valentine’s Day, his interaction with Cupid had definitely ruined the novelty, but he liked to think spending it being sappy and gross with the boy that he loves is the biggest fuck you he can give. Also maybe he does like the idea of an entire holiday dedicated to how much loves his boyfriend, though he probably wouldn’t admit it out loud.
Nico rolled out of bed and finally blew his nose, rummaging through his things to find one of those mini packs of tissues Will had given to him. He thinks, maybe, he can get away with it. Maybe Will is so excited he won’t even notice. Or maybe he’s not sick at all, maybe it’s just allergies. Will won’t make him stay in bed if it’s just allergies, right?
He was looking to see if he had any cold syrup in his bathroom cabinet when there was a knock at the door. He didn’t need to look to know who it was, and Nico didn’t even have time to panic before he found himself calling for Will to let himself in.
The door swung open and Nico swore he had a fever, because suddenly his face felt hot and his throat got dry and he honestly felt like he forgot his own name, if only for a moment. For some reason, Will looked breathtaking. Or, he looked even more handsome than usual. Maybe it’s because the holiday was making Nico feel extra romantic, or maybe that’s just how he always looked, but he could honestly say that Will was glowing, figuratively this time. His beaming smile made Nico feel like he could go blind from just looking at it, and he thinks it would be worth it, for just a few more seconds of getting to see his face, that beautiful dopey smile.
“Good morning, darlin’.” Will grinned, and if Nico hadn’t felt warm before he definitely did now.
“Hey, sunshine.” Nico breathed.
Will opened the door all the way and stepped inside. Nico expected him to bound over and kiss him, say something corny and call him his Valentine just to watch Nico blush. Instead, he paused, looking at him with a small frown.
“Are you feeling ok, Neeks? You look a little out of it.” Of course he knew something was wrong. Will was perceptive with things like this, especially when it came to Nico.
“Me? I’m fine. Great, actually! I’m just…excited, you know? Second Valentine's Day together and stuff. Pretty big deal.” Nico laughed nervously.
“Right…”
Will looked skeptical, and Nico coughed into his arm. He looked like he was going to say something else, so Nico sniffed and turned away. “Just wait here. I’m gonna get changed in the bathroom.”
Will smiled again. “Don’t take too long, death boy, we have places to be.”
Nico rolled his eyes, but his heart felt full. Before he left for the bathroom he felt a hand on his arm. He turned and Will pulled him into his chest. He immediately melted into the embrace, though he was a little confused, wrapping his arms around Will and tucking his head into his neck. “What’s this for?”
“Just ‘cause I love you.” Will replied happily. He squeezed Nico tighter, running his hand up and down his back.
“I love you too?” Nico sunk deeper into his chest, then froze. “Are you using that weird head medic son of Apollo thing to see if I’m sick?” He sighed.
Will smiled into his hair, “maybe.”
“Will!” He frowned, pulling back, arms still wrapped around him. Will placed his hands on his waist. “I’m not sick!”
“Oh yes you are.” He glared. “Your nose is running and you’re feeling warm. And your voice is all rough. Also, I’m a healer! Did you think you could hide being sick from the person who’s main job is constantly being around people who are sick? It’s just a cold, though. So don’t worry about that.”
“Well I tried.” Nico scowled. “You tricked me.”
Will pushed Nico’s bangs back from his forehead, “poor baby.” He teased.
Nico glared, pushing his hands away. “I’m getting changed and we are leaving for the city. We’re sticking to the plan!”
Will actually laughed at him. “Umm. No we aren’t. You’re sick. You’re gonna get everyone else sick. And you’re definitely not up to shadow traveling right now. We’re staying here and I’m taking care of you.”
“Absolutely not. Will, you’ve been looking forward to this for months. It’s just a little cold! I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Nico I am not putting you in danger just to go on a little date. There will be other opportunities. It’s fine. Plus we can just do something even more special next year.” Will grabbed Nico hands and rubbed his thumb over his knuckles.
Nico huffed, trying not to get frustrated. Will was always so stubborn about everything, even though Nico knew in the back of his mind that Will probably made a good point. “What if we took the truck and you drove us? No shadow travel and you get to practice your driving. Plus maybe I’ll miraculously get better on the way there.”
Will remained unimpressed. “Nico, hon, we’re not going out when you’re sick. I don’t mind staying in! We can just hang out in your cabin. It’s totally fine.”
Nico frowned, moving to hug Will and smushing his face into Will’s shoulder. “But we always hang out in my cabin. Today is supposed to be special and you were so excited.”
“It can still be special. Really the only thing I want is to spend the day with you. It doesn’t matter where, as long as you’re with me.”
He pulled back, looking Will in the eye. “That was so corny. I love you.”
Will laughed, rolling his eyes and leaning in for a kiss, before pausing and kissing Nico’s cheek instead. Nico rolled his eyes. “You can still kiss me Solace, you never get sick.”
He shrugged, grabbing his hand and pulling him back towards his bed. “Better safe than sorry. Now lay back down. I’m getting you some ambrosia and breakfast.”
Nico rolled his eyes, but he still called “be quick.”
Will returned to Nico’s cabin ten minutes later, a tote bag on his arm and breakfast in his hands. “I got you some oatmeal and tea. I know it’s not your favorite but it’s good for you.” Will mumbled, carefully maneuvering the cabin door shut.
“That’s ok. Thanks Will.” Nico looked up at him from his bed.
“Of course, darlin’.” He replied happily. Will looked at him like there was nothing in the world he’d rather be doing than taking care of him while he’s sick on Valentine’s Day. Nico isn’t sure what he did in a past life to deserve someone like Will Solace, but he thanks every god he can think of that it lead to this exact moment with him.
He feels shitty and his throat hurts and he completely wrecked the whole day and he’s still never felt so loved by anyone, at least not in a really long time. “I really love you, Will.” He said, because he does, and he wants him to know.
Will smiles softly, placing his bag on the floor next to his bed. “I love you too, Neeks.” And maybe he didn’t say it out loud but Nico knows that he understood anyway. “Now move over, you’re taking up the whole bed.”
Nico rolled his eyes, moving towards his wall and snorting when Will hands him his bowl and flops next to him. “This is my bed by the way. I think I can take up as much room as I want.”
“Sorry did you want me to leave, because I can if you want your space.” Will replied delightedly.
Nico rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. He took a bite of his oatmeal, trying not to cringe at the taste. “Does being sick mean that I get to stay in bed and waste the day away with you? I know that sounds like a shitty Valentine’s Day, but as soon as I’m well rested I promise we can at least have a nice-ish dinner together.”
Will considered it, before nodding and getting more comfortable in the bed. “As long as you finish your breakfast I’m fine with it. And it isn't shitty, Neeks, I promise. As long as you’re okay and I get to be with you as far as I’m concerned I’m having the best Valentine’s Day ever.”
Nico scooted closer to him, and Will wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “You’re lame.” He was almost finished eating, and he wondered if he could get away with throwing out the rest.
Will laughed, kissing his forehead. “I’m putting something on the laptop. And you’re not going to complain about the movie because today is special and you’ll probably fall asleep before it’s even started, anyway.”
Nico rolled his eyes, grumbling, “fine. As long as it’s not like that movie we watched last time.” Will smiled innocently, typing something into the laptop. “No! Will you are not putting that on I refuse.”
“Come on! It’s Valentine’s Day! Today’s supposed to be romantic and fun. Also I know that you enjoyed the last one we watched so I don’t want to hear it.”
Nico glared, watching as Will pulled up a movie he’d never even heard of before. “What the hell is serendipity?”
Will hummed. “Only one of the greatest movies ever created, no big deal.”
“I think that’s a little dramatic.”
Will paused. “Probably. But Nico it’s really good! And kind of bad. But in a good way!”
Nico laughed. “Your obsession with horrible movies is so strange to me. I don’t understand you.”
“Okay but if you give it a chance you’d see why. It’s comforting.” Will pressed play and put the laptop between them on the bed.
Nico placed his empty bowl to the side and moved closer to Will. “You’re crazy.”
The movie played and Nico would never ever admit it but he thinks, maybe, he gets what Will means by comforting. “We should go to the Serendipity restaurant at some point. I think it would be fun.” Will said.
Nico considered it. “I agree. We could do it next year. That could be the special thing we do for Valentine’s Day.”
Will laughed. “I think that’s a good idea, but I also want you to know that that is so romantic and incredibly lame of you to suggest.”
He snorted, and Will looked down at him with the dorkiest grin on his face. “I wish I could kiss you.”
Nico rolled his eyes. “You can. You’re just being a pain in the butt.”
“Okay but if I do get sick it will be entirely your fault. Do you want that on your conscience?”
Nico looked into Will’s eyes, dark blue and big and so expressive. “Yeah, I think I can live with it.”
“Rude.” Will complained, but he leaned down and kissed him softly, anyway. He placed a hand on his face and Nico moved his into Will’s hair and he thinks maybe he believes Will because there’s no way the day could possibly be unsuccessful if just being there with him felt like this.
He was warm all over, and they couldn’t stop smiling, which made it kind of hard to kiss but it still felt perfect. Nico could vaguely hear the movie playing in the background and his lungs were starting to burn a little bit he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was the feeling of Will’s thumb slowly caressing his cheek and the taste of Will on his lips and the smell of cologne and sunshine surrounding him.
When they pulled apart Will’s lips were swollen and his cheeks were red and he looked so beautiful Nico felt faint. “Yeah, you were right. Getting sick is probably worth it.” He breathed.
Nico laughed. “Of course I was right. You never listen to me.”
Will laughed, too. He moved a hand through his hair, trying to fix it after Nico messed it up. It didn’t really work. “I can’t believe you just said that to me.”
Nico smiled. “It’s true. I feel so under appreciated.” He grabbed Will's hand entwined their fingers.
“Oh really? I’m so sorry, Nico. I had no idea.”
Nico nodded dramatically. “Of course you didn’t.”
Will chuckled, kissing Nico quickly on the lips. “I have something for you.”
Nico paused, looking at him with trepidation. “What is it?” He asked cautiously.
Will patted Nico’s leg. “It’s nothing bad! Promise.”
He leaned over and took something out of his tote, handing it to him. “You didn’t.” Nico laughed. The cheap heart shaped box of chocolates was bright bed and as big as Nico’s face.
“This is so stupid. Thank you, Will.” Nico said softly, leaning over and kissing him again.
“‘Course Neeks. It’s the least I could do.”
“I feel horrible I didn’t get you anything. I was going to just buy you a ton of stuff when we went to the city.” Nico frowned.
“It’s fine! That’s very sweet of you, though. I appreciate the thought.”
“You can have some of my chocolate? There’s a coconut one if you want” Nico offered, opening the box.
“Sure.” Will agreed. “But don’t think I don’t notice you giving me the only flavor you don’t like.”
Nico smiled and kissed his cheek. “Yeah but you like coconut anyway! It’s a win for everyone.”
Will moved the laptop so it was sitting on his lap, rewinding the movie to where it was before they’d gotten distracted. “Sure, darlin’. Whatever you say.”
Nico coughed into his arm and handed the box to Will, leaning his head on Will's shoulder and finally looking back at the laptop screen. He thinks that the day is kind of perfect, even though it really, really, isn’t. But Will is here with him and he’s so in love he can’t even think straight, he feels like there’s nowhere in the world he’d rather be than right there next to him. And maybe it’s corny, maybe he’s just as lame and silly as his boyfriend, but he can’t help but agree that as long as he’s with Will, every moment is going to feel special.