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Nico hasn’t seen Will. In a while, actually. At first, he thought it was just because Will had more shifts in the infirmary and Nico had to instruct a sword classes whilst Will worked. But he has not seen him, even after those classes- only glimpses of that stupid blonde hair at meals- then it goes away, no where to be seen after Nico walks towards it.
It’s been two days since Nico has ate a meal together with Will. Been two days since Nico has seen Will, up close.
He had given Will space- it was the anniversary of the Battle of The Labyrinth two days ago- so Nico left Will alone in the infirmary. But it has been too long.
Walking over to the Apollo table, nobody really noticed anymore, Nico sat down with his lunch- today he decided to eat bacon and eggs, screw the conforms of society- and looked over at Kayla and Austin.
”Any progress?”
They both shook their heads, looking down at their food. Nico let out a little huff of air. He had talked to Kayla and Austin yesterday to about Will. Kayla and Austin both told him he looked okay, so Nico didn’t take immediate action.
After a while, Kayla spoke up again. “We tried taking his shift again today.” Austin nodded next to her, chewing his pasta. “But he snapped. It’s normal, though, around…this time of year.”
“I’ll try. After lunch, maybe it’ll work.”
Kayla flashed a grateful smile. “Yeah, he listens to you the most.”
Walking into the infirmary, Nico smelt the isopropyl alcohol and the lemon scented cleaner. It was a mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity. He’s smelt this smell so many times- helping in the infirmary, smelling the residue of it on Will, and yet- it was too strong today.
Like someone kept cleaning. Over and over.
”Nico?” Will’s voice echoed throughout the painfully quiet room. Nico whipped his head to the source of the voice.
Will’s eyes were slightly drooped- more red than usual. Nico could tell Will’s grip was weak on the broom he held, with his hands shaking ever so slightly. His cuticles were picked at, hair put into a little ponytail messily.
A split second later, after Will noticed Nico was staring, Will’s eyes brightened, his grin widening. He tightened his grip on the broom, stopping the shake.
And this- this part of Will was what broke Nico. How easily he covered up everything. He should’ve known Will lied to Kayla and Austin.
He had observed Will’s vulnerability enough to know his coverups. They did not know.
Clamping down a sob building in his throat, Nico spoke, each word articulated carefully.
”Will, are you okay? Please-“
”I’m fine, Nico.” His voice shook at the end, wobbling. Nico saw his mask crumbled slightly- grin dropping a notch. He stepped closer.
“I’m fine, Nico.” Will repeated, more firm than last time. Nico’s eyes moved to Will’s hands, which he clasped together tightly to try and stop the new shaking of his hands.
“You’re not, though. Let me help, please.” He whispered, reaching out his hand.
Will’s eyes darted, from Nico’s face, then to his hand. His smile dropped.
“I’m tired.”
”I know.”
Will didn’t put up much of a fight- which wasn’t usual. It wasn’t right.
Entangling their hands together, Nico kissed Will’s cheek. “You’re doing great,” He murmured, then he pulled Will gently away from his cleaning supplies. “Kayla and Austin can cover- let’s go to my cabin, okay?”
Will nodded, a spacey look in his eyes. Pausing for a second- he looked back at the supplies- then he let himself follow Nico.
Nico wished Will could go to someone- really, anyone- for his bad days. Like this. He wished he didn’t have any bad days, in fact, but alas, demigod life.
Reaching the porch of his cabin, he carefully turned the knob, opening the door. “Go take a shower- I can get you some fresh clothes, okay?”
Will simply hummed in response, walking over to the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Looking through his drawers, he found Will’s emergency clothes in the bottom one. He picked out the sunshine pajama pants with the plain yellow t-shirt, then walked over to the bathroom.
“Will, I’m gonna leave the clothes on the table next to the door. I’m going over to tell Kayla and Austin to cover- okay?”
A muffled “okay” echoing through the door, Nico placed down the clothes and headed for the Apollo cabin.
”Nico?” Austin’s honey rich voice greeted him when he opened the door.
”Hey.” Nico smiled in relief. “Will’s in my cabin. He’s a little out of it. Can you cover for Wi-“
He was interrupted by cheers from Kayla and Austin pumping his fist.
“Yeah! Of course we’re covering. God, that’s some beautiful words.” Kayla wiped tears- genuine tears!- from her eyes, already holding her scrubs. Nico almost jumped. How’d she get those scrubs so fast?
Opening his cabin door, he looked over to see Will sitting on the extra bunk. And to his horror- Will was sobbing, red eyes and puffy cheeks.
Rushing over, he sat next to Will. Shushing his sniffles, he rubbed his back.
”What’s wrong, Will?”
For a moment, Will looked aghast, like Nico just asked for his mom’s hand in marriage, then he sobbed harder.
”I- I’m such a burden to Nico- and- and- he’s going to break up one day- and it’s- it’ll be all my fault.” Will sobbed, clutching on to Nico, forehead pressed to his shoulder.
Nico’s heart shattered, dull ringing starting in his ears. His lips felt cracked- mouth dry. He swallowed a thick lump in his throat. His heart sped up, pounding in his chest.
Did Will genuinely think that? He continued rubbing circles into Will’s back as his crying subdued. “I’m here, it’s okay.” Nico quietly repeated, holding Will.
Will sat up, his face red. Nico pressed his hand to Will’s forehead, concerned-
A fever. That made sense, knowing Will, he wouldn’t admit that, at all if he had control, unless he was delirious from sleep deprivation and sickness.
He pressed another kiss to Will’s forehead, then stood up. “I’m going to get you a towel, so you can wipe your face, okay?”
”Mhmmm. Y’know,” Nico turned, confused. “Nico…my boyfriend ‘ain’t gonbe happy…seein you kissime like that.” His words slurred (it was a miracle it still was decently coherent) and Nico resisted the urge to break down and laugh right then and there. It probably won’t go well for Will- knowing the state he’s in.
”I am your boyfriend, though?” He grinned, watching Wills face go from confusion to happiness. Will lazily smiled, lying down in the bed.
He walked back over to the bathroom, grabbing two towels. He ran one under warm water, the other under cold.
Nico handed Will the warm one first, wiping down the dried tears. Then, he used the cold one to pat his face down mostly, then laid it on his forehead.
Kissing Will on the cheek again, he stepped back to watch his boyfriend peacefully sleeping, chest rising and falling.
He now needed to get some meds- then probably some dinner.
Looking back at Will for the last time, he reached out into the shadows and melted away.
“You’re telling me, what?” Will groaned and covered his face.
Nico continued laughing, gasping for air next to the bed.
”I hope you suffocate laughing, you dick.” Nico could hear the eye roll- which only made him double back over and laugh harder.
As soon as he gained basic control back over his body, with just a grin left, Nico spoke again. “Hey, listen, who’s the one who took care of you- even delirious, hm?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Will grinned. “But, thank you though, Nico.”
”Of course.”