Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Will Solace stood in the doorway of the Apollo cabin, a stern look on his face. He pointed to the ground at his feet like You. Here. Now.

“Jason, would you excuse me?” Nico said, walking past the son of Jupiter.

“So where were ya?” Will demanded once the son of Hades got into hearing range. He was wearing a green surgeon shirt with jeans and flip-flops, which was probably not hospital protocol.

“What do you mean?” Nico asked with furrowed brows.

Will huffed.

“I’ve been stuck in the infirmary for, like, two days. Ya don’t come by? Ya don’t offer ta help?”

“I- what?” Nico blinked, confused. “Why would you want a son of Hades in the same room with people you're trying to heal? Why would anyone want that?”

For some reason, the son of Apollo looked just as confused as Nico felt.

“So- ya can’t help a friend out? Maybe cut some bandages? Bring me a soda or a snack? Or just a simple How’s it going, Will? Ya don’t think I could stand to see a friendly face?”

“What-? My face?” Nico scrunched his nose up.

The words Will was saying didn’t make any sense, at least, not strung together like he’s done. There was nothing friendly about Nico’s face. All he does is scowl at people for acting annoying or for irritating him.

“Gods. You’re so dense.” Will noted. “I truly hope you’ve gotten over that nonsense ‘bout leavin’ Camp Half-Blood.” He tsked.

“I- yeah.” Nico stuttered out. “I did. I mean- I’m staying. Here. At camp.”

“Good.” Will nods, seemingly pleased. “So ya may be dense, but you’re not an idiot.”

Nico can’t help how he stares at the son of Apollo, mouth parted ever so slightly in something akin to shock.

“How can you even talk to me like that?” Nico asked incredulously. “Don’t you know what I can do? I can summon zombies and skeletons and-”

Will snorts, interrupting the son of Hades’ rant before it can truly begin.

“Please- right now ya couldn’t summon a wishbone without melting inta a puddle of darkness, di Angello.” Will says, raising a challenging eyebrow. “‘Sides, I told ya, no more underworld-y stuff, doctor’s orders. Ya owe me at least three days in the infirmary- starting now.”

Nico really needed something else to do besides stare at the child of Apollo, a child of light and health, who stood before him, a son of Hades, of darkness, and death without an ounce of fear or hesitation, but he can’t help it. He felt like there were a hundred skeletal butterflies resurrecting in his stomach, and all he could do was stare.

“Three days?” Nico repeated, forcing himself to look away. “I-...I suppose that would be okay.” He agreed, eyes flickering back to watching Will’s reaction.

“Good!” Will smiled. “Now-”

A loud whoop! cut through the air, drawing attention to a grinning Percy and a laughing Annabther who playfully slapped the son of Posiden’s arm.

Taking a breath, Nico made a decision.

“I’ll be right back,” Nico told Will, who was now frowning. “Swear on the Styx and everything.” The son of Hades says in some sort of attempt to relive the down turn of Will’s lips from his face.

He walked over to Percy and Annabeth, who were both grinning like crazy.

“Hey man,” Percy greeted him. “Annabeth just told me some good news. Sorry if I got a little loud.”

“We’re going to spend our senior year together, here, in New york,” Annabeth explains. “And after graduation-”

“College in New Rome!” Percy finished for his girlfriend, pumping his fist like he was blowing a truck horn. “Four years with no monsters to fight, no battles, no stupid prophecies. Just me and Annabeth, getting our degrees, hanging out at cafés, enjoying California-”

“And after that…” Annabeth cut in, kissing Percy on the cheek. The sight didn’t bother him like it once had. In fact, he was happy for the two of them. They were describing what Nico supposes is their dream life, and he was just fine with that, with the two of them being together. For once, there was no acidic jealousy building in his gut. “Well Reyna and Frank said we could live in New Rome as long as we like.”

“That’s great.” Nico said, both surprised and not, to find that he meant it. “I’m staying at Camp Half-Blood for now.”

“Awesome!” Percy cheered.

Nico studied the son of Poseidon for a moment- from his face structure, to his green eyes, to his grin, to his ruffled black hair. He seemed so normal now. He wasn’t some mythical figure, he was just some regular guy- not someone to idolize or crush on.

“So,” Nico began, shoving his hands into the pockets of his aviator jacket. “Since we’re going to be spending at least a year seeing each other at camp, I think I should clear the air.”

Percy’s smile wavered.

“What do you mean?” He asked in confusion.

“For a long time, I had a crush on you.” Nico shrugged, finally ready to let this particular secret go. “I just wanted you to know.”

Percy looked at Nico, then at Annabeth, as if to check that he had heard correctly. Then he looked back at Nico.

“You-” Percy began.

“Yeah.” Nico nodded. “I mean- you’re a great person, but I’m over that.” He shrugged once more, offering Annabeth a genuine smile. “I’m happy for you guys.”

“You-... so you mean-” Percy stuttered.

“Right.” Nico nods again, watching with amusement as the son of Posiedon floundered.

Annabeth’s gray eyes sparkled with mischief as she returned Nico’s smile.

“Wait.” Percy says, holding a hand up as if to freeze him in place. “So you mean-”

“Right.” Nico says again. “But it’s cool. We’re cool. I mean, I see now… you’re cute, but you’re not my type.” Nico dismisses.

“I’m not your type..” Percy echos. “Wait so-”

Nico huffed out a breath that could, technically, be called a laugh, if a rather pathetic one, but a laugh nonetheless. Who knew something that caused him so much trouble would turn out like this? Amusing instead of terrifying.

“See you around Percy.” Nico waves. “Annabeth.” He nods.

She raises her hand for a high five and Nico obliges. Then he walked back across the green, where Will Solace was waiting.

“I told you I’d be back.” Nico says in place of a greeting, shoving his hands into his jacket pocket.

“Come on.” Will says with a roll of his eyes, gesturing for the son of Hades to follow him, and Nico does. He follows him all the way until they reach the entrance of the infirmary.

Nico paused in the doorway as Will walked in. When the son of Apollo realized that Nico was no longer following him, he turned back and made the same gesture he had earlier. You. Here. Now.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea.” Nico mumbled as he walked into the infirmary, and almost immediately, the volume of the room dropped.

“Oh thank the gods- silence!” A teenage girl who was wearing a blue surgeon top cheered.

“Damn, Will. We would have let you out to grab di Angelo sooner if we knew he could do this. I can finally hear myself think.” A teenage boy who is also wearing a surgeon's top says.

Will snorts.

“Get back to work.” Will orders the children, who Nico presumes are other Apollo kids, turning back to Nico he says, “Don’t mind them,” with a dismissive wave of his hand he continues, “They’re just being dramatic. Like always.”

“We can hear you!” One of the Apollo children calls over their shoulder.

“That’s the point!” Will responds while leading the son of Hades into a back hallway.

They stop by a cabinet briefly, where Will grabs a clipboard with a stack of papers, and a folded piece of fabric before opening a door. He gestured for Nico to go in first, leaning against the door to keep it open. Nico entered, reluctantly, but Will didn’t follow.

“Here. Change into this.” The son of Apollo says, handing over the folded fabric. “Ya can change in the room itself or in the bathroom there.” He says gesturing to a door inside the room. “And ya can keep your underwear on, but everything else needs ta be taken off.”

Nico can feel the way his muscles tense at the statement, and immediately opens his mouth to protest, but the fabric was already in his hands with the door closing behind Will before he could utter a single word. Glancing at the fabric in hand, Nico grabs one edge and lets the rest drop, unfolding the fabric with minimal effort.

It was a hospital gown. Which should have been unsurprising seeing as the son of Apollo was apparently ‘hospitalizing’ him for the next three days, but it was still a little shocking to see the garment. Sighing, Nico complies with the order to change, pulling off his weapons and shoes before stripping himself of his clothing, trading it for the gown he had been given. He folded up his clothing, placing them at the foot of the singular medical cot that was in the room, tucking his boots under the edge of the metal frame, and hanging his sword belt on one of the bed posts.

With nothing else to do, Nico walked back over to the door, opening it enough to peer outside of it. He spots Will writing something down on the clipboard he had grabbed earlier, leaning back against the wall opposite of the door.

“All done?” Will asks, without glancing up from his papers.

“Yeah.”

Will nods, scribbling something down and then pockets his pen, tucking the clipboard to his chest as he pushes off the wall and walks towards him. Nico pulls the door the rest of the way open, holding it for Will so that he could enter the room.

“Have ya done medical examinations before?” The son of Apollo questions, earning a shrug.

“Probably, but not in a while, and it was back in the thirties.” Nico stated bluntly.

Will hummed.

“But ya know that I need ta chart your height, weight, blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rate, current injuries and symptoms, as well as previous ones, and a few other things, yes?”

Nico nods, vaguely aware of how doctor appointments are supposed to go. Except this isn’t a doctor's appointment, because Will isn’t a doctor, but he is a combat medic, so perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a medical appointment?

“Good. Can ya step on the scale and face me? I’ll grab your height and weight first so ya can get settled in bed faster.” The son of Apollo instructs, interrupting Nico’s train of thought.

Doing as asked, Nico stepped onto the scale and stood up straight. Will messed with the mechanics of the simplistic machine, frowning as he adjusted something once, then twice, still frowning.

“Step off for a moment, please.” Will requested, and when Nico did, Will reset the weights at the top of the scale, sliding them back to zero. “M’kay, sorry ‘bout that. Go ahead and step on up again.”

Nico stepped back onto the scale, letting Will fiddle with the weights until it leveled out at an equal weight. The son of Apollo was still frowning, but he took out his pen and scribbled something onto his clipboard, so maybe Will was just concentrating.

“Alright, ya can get settled on your new bed for the next three days.” Will dismisses him, uncliping his papers and reorganizing them so that there was a different paper at the top of the pile, leaving some of the papers out on the counter. “Here.” He says, handing over the pen and clipboard once Nico had sat down. “Check off the boxes that apply ta ya while I take your vitals.”

Nico took the clipboard, looking over the list of things.

“Why are there so many boxes?” Nico scowls, flipping through the four pages worth of questions. Most of them are boxes to check off, but one of them is a front and back body diagram that was apparently for circling areas of pain.

“‘Cause we need ta be thorough when takin’ a look at new patients. Be happy that the forms at camp are all in Greek.” Will answered. It sounded a bit too rehearsed to not be something he’s had to explain over and over again. “Can I have the wrist you're not using ta take your vitals?”

Hesitantly, knowing that this is necessary and unavoidable, Nico hands over his non-dominant hand as he starts actually reading each question, checking off each box ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as he comes to them. Pausing momentarily, Nico stared at the golden glow that came off of the son of Apollo. The feeling of spiders crawling under his skin started to eat at Nico. As soon as Will stopped glowing, Nico pulled his hand away, shaking off the sensation that always came with being touched as he turned back to the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ boxes.

Will doesn’t say anything about how harshly he tugged his hand away. The son of Apollo simply leaves him be, walking back over to the small pile of papers he had removed from the clipboard, he takes out a new pen and starts writing something down, presumably the vitals he just took.

“Have ya had any more fadin’ episodes; transparency, intangibility, or anything along those lines?” Will inquiries as he’s writing. “I’ve talked with Coach Hedge ‘bout your original episode and subsequent three day coma, so I have a vague understanding of the observable symptoms and the reasonin’ for said fadin’, but I’ll need the rest of that type of information from ya.”

“Can I finish your check list first?” Nico asked in annoyance. He’s too tired to split his attention between answering multiple questions at once.

Will winced.

“Right, sorry. Let me know when you're all done with that.” He says with a sheepish smile.

They sat in silence while Nico marked the papers he’d been given in pen, answering the long list of questions that ranged from physical pain and discomfort, to living habits, to emotional well being. It was rather thorough and uncomfortable, but he answered every question on the list. He’s unsure how long it took. The only thing that really indicated the passing of time was the fact that Will would shift around and fidget every few minutes, but he didn’t rush Nico. He let the son of Hades go at his own pace, let him hesitate on questions, not marking anything for minutes on end and didn’t say a word.

Eventually, Nico finished, silently handing over the clipboard, which Will was quick to take. He flipped through Nico’s answers, eyes moving quickly down each line

“Lycon scratches? No bites?” Will inquires worriedly.

Nico nodded, understanding the medic’s worry about potently having a werewolf on the loose in a building of injured people

“No bites.” Nico echoed.

The son of Apollo sighed in relief, going back to his reading.

“I’d like ta take a look at those scratches, specifically that one on your face and the one that needed field stitches.” He informs Nico while flipping the page. “...the last time ya ate was five days ago?”

“Yes?” Nico answered with a raised brow, gesturing to the paper where he had already answered that question.

“And it’s pretty- normal, for ya ta go a few days between eatin’?” Will inquired, staring at the son of Hades as if trying to take apart a fairly difficult puzzle.

Nico nodded, shifting uncomfortable under Will’s attention.

“That explains the vitamin deficiency, dehydration, and malnourishment.” Will informs him, drumming his fingers along the back of the clipboard. “On top of lookin’ at and treatin’ your injuries, I’d like ta start ya on a light liquid diet ta get your body used ta consumin’ thin’s again, as well as an infusion of saline the vitamins you’re lacking, and some nectar.”

Nico ran his tongue along the edge of his teeth, staring the son of Apollo down, choosing to keep his mouth shut. He doesn’t need any of this. He’s been doing just fine so far. The son of Apollo should be putting his time to better use on a patient that actually needs his care and the supplies he plans to waste on him.

“Anything else?” He questioned rhetorically.

Will tilted his head to the side, considering something, much to Nico’s horror. He hadn’t meant that as a challenge.

“There is.” The son of Apollo agreed. “But let’s start there so you’re not overwhelmed.”

Thank the gods for Will having pity on his poor wounded patient. Nico could only put up with so much. Sitting in a room on his own while connected to a bag of liquids was one thing. Having to undergo a bunch of medical tests is another thing, and he refuses to be the freak the healers decide to experiment on.

“Just the wound checks and the infusion.” Nico said pointedly.

“And the liquid diet.” Will tacks on helpful.

“And that’s all.”

“For now.” Will agrees with a conspiratorial smile that was more of a smirk than anything else. “We’ll see if anything else pops up during your stay.”

Pursing his lips Nico couldn’t help the way that he narrows his eyes at the medic. Will turned his smile into one that could be considered innocent, but something in the way he was looking at Nico set his nerves on edge, skeletal butterflies flapping away in his stomach.

“I’ll take good care of ya.” Will reassures him. “Don’t’cha worry.”

Nico tsked. “Don’t you have other patients to attend to? Ones with real issues?”

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say, as it caused Will’s smile to fade into a frown, brows furrowed together. Just as the son of Apollo opened his mouth to probably argue against what Nico had said, someone knocked on the door, calling Will’s name.

“Well?” Nico says with a raised brow, gesturing to the door. “You have more important things to attend to.”

It was almost funny how conflicted the son of Apollo was, glancing between Nico and the door as if he couldn’t decide what to do. When the person on the other side of the door knocked again, calling Will’s name a little more urgently, the medic in question groaned, turning to look at the son of Hades.

“I’ll be right back ta clean up those injuries and set up that infusion. I promise- just give me a few minutes.” Will says, placing his clipboard down on the counter he rushes over to the door, quickly talking to the person on the other side as he leaves Nico all alone in the boring examination room.

It takes no time at all for Nico to hop off the bed and walk over to the counter. He grabs the clipboard, reading over the pages Will had kept for himself to write on. It wasn’t anything too interesting. The paper had his name, Nico di Angelo, godly parent, Hades, approximate age, fourteen, hair and eye color, black and brown, height and weight, five-foot-four or one-hundred-sixty-three centimeters and sixty-eight-point-thirty-four pounds or thirty-one kilograms etc, etc.

It was about what he had expected from a paper with medical information. Not that he knew what the vitals mean. Is seventy-four over forty-eight good blood for pressure? Is eighty-two good for a heart rate? Ninety-six must be good for oxygen, right? It’s almost a hundred but not quite. Maybe it’s bad-

Another knock on the door cuts into Nico’s train of thought. He quickly placed the clipboard down on the counter and faded into the shadows, reappearing on the bed as if he had never moved, just in time for the door to crack open.

“Nico di Angelo, right?” A girl, supposedly an Apollo child given the surgeon shirt she is wearing, greets him warily.

He raised an unimpressed brow at the girl, tipping his head forward once, ignoring how the room spins around him. The nod of his head seemed to be all the encouragement the girl needed as she immediately brightened up, walking into the room with a tray of bowls. Each one seemed to contain various liquids.

“Will got pulled into a surgery, but don’t you worry! He sent me in to start your on the infusion and dietary adjustment.” The girl explains, chatting away as she sets the tray on a moveable table that she brings over to Nico’s bed side. “We’ll get you back on solid foods in no time!” She cheered, smiling at the son of Hades.

“And you are?” Nico asked, narrowing his eyes at the energetic child.

“Right! Sorry- I’m Xiao Yan, daughter of Apollo.” The girl, Xiao, introduces herself, holding out a hand.

It was obvious she was offering a hand shake, but he would really rather not be touched at the moment. He was dizzy and tired, and didn’t want to deal with the spiders crawling under his skin at the moment, so he nodded his head in greeting instead.

Xiao’s smile faltered for a second but it was hardly noticeable, something that Nico only noticed due to being hyper aware of his current surroundings. She clapped her hands together instead of just dropping the ignored invitation for a handshake.

“I have some broths, teas, juices, and of course water.” Xiao lists off, gesturing to each bowl as she goes. “We’ll start with the water, wait ten to twenty minutes and then check in to see how you're feeling. If you're all good we can move on to the teas, which have a twenty to forty minute waiting period, so do the juices. While something like broth has a forty to sixty minute waiting period. Any questions?”

“What are the waiting periods for?”

“Oh! Those are just about how long it takes for the stomach to absorb different liquids.” Xiao explains with a wave of her hand. “Why don’t you start on your eight ounces of water while I hunt down an IV kit from these cabinets.”

Nico eyed the singular bowl of truly clear liquid. Every other bowl had a tint of color to it or appeared completely opaque, such as the one he suspected to be a bowl of orange juice.

Just the thought of drinking these was starting to make him nauseous. Having to drink thick juices or slimy gelatine broths- Nico has to hold back a gag. He doesn’t even have anything in his stomach to throw up and yet his body still seems to think that throwing up is the best course of action.

Turning away from the nausea-inducing bowls, Nico watched Xiao fill syringes with different vials of medicine before adding them to the large bag of clear liquid that Nico assumes is the saline Will had mentioned. It was odd how normal it was to watch a ten, maybe twelve year old draw up medications with such fluid, experienced, movements. Odd in the same way as seeing children fight wars not of their own making.

“Okay! All set. Let me just insert the needle and then we can set this to the proper drip speed.” Xiao says, walking back over to Nico’s bed side. She’s carrying a new tray that she places on the bed beside the son of Hades. This one had gauze, bandage wrap, a long loop of tubing, the mixed bag of saline and medications, and a few other medical nicknacks that Nico can’t recognize off the top of his head.

“Let’s just get this over with.” Nico tsked, offering up an arm.

Xiao nods, grabbing a blue coil that she straightens out and wraps around Nico’s forearm. His reaction to the rubber band is almost immediate, jerking his arm away as soon as the band is stretched tight around his arm.

“You have to hold still for me to do this.” Xiao explains patiently.

“Can’t you not use that thing.” Nico hiss, glaring at the band.

“The band is used to make the veins appear. It will only be on for a minute.”

“No. Do something else. You’re not using that on me.” Nico states firmly. He was not dealing with that horrible sensation at the moment. He was dealing with too many irritants to be willing to deal with the rubber band pulling at his skin.

“It doesn’t hurt, just squeezes a bit.” Xiao tells him but Nico is having none of it.

“No.” He states coldly, “What part of that word don’t you understand?”

Xiao backs away with her hands up in surrender. The wretched feeling blue band held in one of her hands.

“Okay.” She agreed with a shiver, putting the band back down. “No band. But that means I can’t set up your IV.” Xiao pointed out.

“Then don’t. Go give it to someone who actually needs it.”

“Can’t.” She says with a shrug, wrapping her arms around herself as she shivered again. “Already mixed the meds according to your specific needs. If I don’t give it to you then it has to be thrown away.”

Nico frowned, disliking the waste of material that was already so limited, but he refused to have that thing touching him. The texture was horrid and he can’t deal with that on top of his exhaustion at the moment. Maybe he shouldn’t have shadow traveled back to the bed just to not be caught snooping. Then again, was it really snooping when it was his own file?

“You’re not using that thing.” Nico finalizes, daring the daughter of Apollo to decide otherwise, but she just nods her head with a sigh.

“At least drink the water please?”

Nico continues to glare at the girl, but does pick up the eight ounce bowl of water and quickly chugs it, ignoring the nausea that builds from swallowing something other than excess saliva.

“Not so fa- Nevermind.” Xiao sighed. “I’ll be back in ten minutes to check on you.” She says taking her leave of the room.

Sitting on the bed with nothing else to do, he moved his sword up to the head of the bed, just in case and readjusted himself to lay down and take a nap. The ten minutes must have passed by during his dozing because he woke to the sound of the door opening. Sighing, Nico sat up, expecting the daughter of Apollo to check him over then give him the all clear to move on to the next liquid, but was surprised to see that it was the son of Apollo that walked in instead.

Will frowned, looking around the room.

“What’s with the shadows?” He questioned, gesturing to the way that they were stretched out and around Nico protectively.

Huh, Nico hadn’t even realized he had done that. Maybe that's why Xiao started shivering. A child of the sun in the shadows is probably not a great idea.

Shrugging, Nico simply watched as Will walked over to his bedside.

“Don’t shrug at me, just stop. I told ya no underworld-ey stuff, and I’m pretty damn sure that includes those shadows of yours.” Will reminds him as he messed with the stuff from the IV kit his sister had taken out.

Nico narrowed his eyes at the blue rubber strip when Will held it up.

“What’s wrong with this? Too tight? The tug of the skin? The texture of the rubber?” Will list off, looking expectantly at Nico, who frowns at him.

“I- all of it? I guess?”

Will nods.

“We’ll try it with the fabric of your gown in between and if that doesn' work we can add a washcloth for thickness.” Will says, stepping into Nico’s space. “May I?”

The son of Hades looked at him skeptical but nodded anyways.

Will rolled the edge of his hospital gown to double the fabric where he then wrapped the rubber band. It was still horrible and he hated it, but the short nap he took helped him regain some of his composure so Nico could put up with it for a short moment. Will hums, grabbing some type of wet sponge to wipe an area on his forearm between his wrist and elbow where a thick line, a vein probably, had appeared. A quick poke later there was a tube in his arm. Will quickly removed the rubber band and went to work flushing the inserted tube with the syringe he had just connected. The son of Apollo nodded, taping down the tube before disconnecting the syringe, connecting the tube instead to the long cord-like tube that was already connected to the bag of medicine.

“All done.” Will cheered, offering him a bright smile. “Not bad, hm?”

“I’m not doing that again.” Nico informs the son of Apollo, who nods with an irritatingly understanding look.

“Not unless somethin’ happens ta this sight.” Will nods. “How was that water?”

“Fine.”

“No nausea?”

Nico shrugged.

“I didn’t throw up.” He states, cause Will to sigh.

“Alright, if that’s the standard we’re goin’ by. Go ahead and try the tea. It’s cold brewed, but I can warm it up if ya prefer?”

“It’s fine.” Nico tsked, picking up the bowl of tea.

“And Nico? No chugging this one.” Will tells him with a pointed look that made him feel a bit sheepish, but at the same time, he was annoyed with the tasks the son of Apollo was giving him. Wasn’t sitting in this hospital bed with the stupid gown for three days enough for him?

“Whatever.” Nico grumbled, drinking the tea, a light floral thing.

He put the bowl back down when he finished and gave Will a look, silently asking, what now?

“Alright! Let’s take a look at those scratches. The ones that needed stitches first.”

“Sure. Why not.” Nico says, rolling his eyes.

Chapter Text

He’s trapped. He can’t move. The walls are closing in. He can’t escape. He’s going to suffocate. He’s going to be alone forever-

Waking up to the taste of acidic saliva was never a good thing. It was always an indication that he was about to throw up, but throw up what? All he’s eaten are pomegranate seeds? Ignoring the fact that he really had nothing to throw up, Nico stumbles to the floor, getting tangled up in fabric as he does, but he’s not trapped. He can move. He can leave.

Something tugs on his arm trying to keep him from wandering too far, but Nico ignores it in favor of trying to make it to a trash can, a sink, or a toilet so he could spit up what little contents he has in his stomach. The tug on his arm gets sharper causing an uncomfortable feeling on his forearm, but he pushes on, causing a loud clattering sound.

Whatever fell to the ground seemed to have been what was keeping him tethered as he suddenly had a bit more freedom, making him trip over himself in his move to where he vaguely knows the bathroom to be. He falls to his knees in front of a white porcelain bowl. Flicking the toilet seat up, Nico hunched over the bowl and proceeded to empty the contents of his stomach into it.

Apparently he had more than just pomegranate seeds, as the fowl mixture of liquids came up his throat, almost choking him with the unexpected volume. The taste only served to make him gag more, causing him to cough violently.

It was a vicious cycle that didn’t even stop when his stomach had expelled everything he had consumed. Stomach acid continued to climb up his throat, causing harsher and harsher coughing fits. His eyes stung, vision blurring from how badly his eyes were watering. The violent action doing nothing to help his still recovering body.

“Nico?” Someone called, but he couldn’t answer, too busy coughing up his stomach.

“Nico!” The voice hissed. They stepped into Nico’s space, causing him to flinch.

“I’m gonna hold your hair back.” The voice warns, and not a second later, the person scoops up his hair out of his face, pulling it into a ponytail. He would appreciate it more if he wasn’t currently coughing up his lungs.

“Try ta breath, Nico.” The ponytail is switched to just one hand, allowing the other to wander down Nico’s back, rubbing soothing circles into the area.

“Breathe through it. Shallow breaths.” The voice instructs as they continue their circular motion.

Right. Shallow breaths. Don’t breathe too deeply or the poison will get to you. Shallow breaths. Shallow breaths-

“Slower, Nico. Slowly.” The voice instructs, pulling his body back just enough that he collides with something hard and solid; something stable and grounding. “Keep breathing through it, Darlin’. You’re doin’ just fine.” The voice cooes as his coughs get farther and farther apart.

“Think ya can try for a deep breath now?”

Nico shook his head. Deep breaths let the poison in.

“No? What if ya just follow my lead?” The voice prompts.

Nico shakes his head again, and to his horror, the person takes an exaggerated deep breath.

Don’t do that! The air’s toxic! Nico wants to shout at them but the words get stuck in his throat, so he’s left scrambling to turn in the person’s hold. Hands clumsily coming up to cover their mouth and nose.

He doesn’t have any water from the river Phlegethon on hand. If the poison gets into their lungs he can’t do anything to help them. He’s useless. He’ll be stuck watching them die, and then he’ll be all alone again.

“Okay, okay- Shh. Breath. Shallow breaths.” The voice mumbles, muffled by Nico’s hands.

Yes! Shallow breaths. The poison won’t kill them if they breathe shallow breaths.

“That’s it. Just like that.” The voice cooes, pulling Nico closer to the solid thing he’s been leaning back against and away from the cold stone that was in front of him. “Just like that. You’re doin’ so well, Darlin’. Just breathe. That’s all ya gotta do. That’s all ya gotta focus on. Just breathe through it.” The voice says, so Nico does. Breathing safe, shallow breaths.

His face gets tucked into something warm as he’s moved from the cold ground. He goes weightless for a few minutes. Air moving against him as if he’s floating, even as he’s still leaning against the warm, solid and grounding object. He gets placed onto something soft and the weightless feeling ends. He was no longer floating but the solid, grounding thing started to pull away.

Deciding that that wasn’t an acceptable trade, Nico protests. Shoving his face back into the warm place it had been a second before the warmth started pulling away. He tangled his arms around the solid structure, holding on as tight as he could.

I don’t want to be alone, is the first thought that flashes through his mind.

“Oh, I’m not goin’ anywhere, Darlin’. Just need ta grab somethin’ for ya.” The voice tells him, but Nico doesn’t believe him. No one ever comes back. He’s always left all alone.

“Oh, Darlin’, I got ya.” The voice croons. “I told ya I’d take good care of ya, and I can’t very well do that if I’m not with ya, now can I?”

Nico blinks, not understanding, not seeing.

He goes weightless once again. The shift in the air indicating that he’s moving, or perhaps being moved?

“Hold on tight for me, would ya Darlin’? I’m gonna need my hands.” The voice instructs

Nico nods into the warmth, keeping his arms and legs wrapped tightly around the solid structure. He stays weightless for far longer this time, and is moved around much more. The first time he was moved must have been in a straight path, because this one felt like he was being turned in circles, which he was not a fan of after throwing up.

Right. That was something he had done. He’d thrown up. That was the start of this, whatever is going on; this, hard to think through fog. Although, something that he can think of is the fact that his mouth tastes horrible. He really needs to rinse out his mouth.

The solid structure moved in a jumpy pattern as the voice chuckled at something.

“We’ll take care of that in a minute.” The voice says, much to Nico’s confusion.

Take care of what? He wants to ask, but his mouth and brain don’t seem to be communicating with each other at the moment.

He’s moved back to the soft surface, the bed he had started on before he had to rush to the bathroom, despite his protests. It didn’t seem to matter how strongly he held onto the solid structure or pressed his face into the warmth, because it was still able to pull away. Thankfully the warmth didn’t go far, settling in the spot beside him on the soft surface.

“Here ya go, this is fresh oxygen.” The voice tells him as a mask is placed over his mouth and nose. “Take a deep breath for me? I just wanna make sure ya can.” They say, rubbing a hand along his back in soothing circles. The action acting as an anchor, tethering him to the here and now, even if the here and now was still covered in fog and blurs.

“Just one deep breath. Can ya do that for me, Darlin’?” The voice asks, soft and sweet and oh so kind, so he does.

Taking a deep breath, he’s met with cold but clean air, so he takes another breath just because he can. And another, and another, and- He can breathe. There’s no poison in the air. He can move. He’s not trapped. He’s not there.

“Not where?” The voice inquires. “Can ya tell me where ya are?”

Nico shakes his head, because he’s not sure. He’s not in the jar, because he’s free, he can move, he’s not trapped. He’s not there, because the air is safe, but maybe this is all a trick to lull him into a false sense of security.

“You’re in one of the private rooms in the infirmary.” The voice tells him. “Can ya tell me your name?”

His name’s Nico, but he can’t say it. Can’t get his mouth to form the word, so he shakes his head.

“No?” The voice questions worriedly. “Do ya know who ya are?”

Nico nods, earning a sigh in relief.

“Can ya not speak?” Another nod.

“Because your throat hurts or because your brain or body won’t let ya?” The voice asks. “Squeeze your hand once for throat, twice for brain and body.” They say, placing something in Nico’s hand.

Nico squeezed his hand around the soft but slightly ruff object twice.

“Okay. So if I say, Nico di Angelo, ya know who that is?” The voice asks. “One squeeze for no, two for yes.”

Two squeezes is his answer.

“Do ya remember Camp Half-Blood?” Two squeezes. “Well, you're in a medical room at camp. Do ya remember coming here.”

Nico hesitated, trying to remember. Why would he be in the medical area? He’s fine. He didn’t need any medical attention-

Will. Will forced him to come. He asked Nico to stay. He asked Nico for three days in the infirmary.

“Nico? Where’d ya go?” The voice asked. Something soft and slightly ruff caresses his cheek, causing him to flinch back.

“Sorry! Sorry- are ya back with me, though?” The voice, Will, asks, and yeah, he’s back now. Snapping out of the memory and back onto the present.

“Sol-ce.” Nico says, voice cracking, throat beyond sore from all the coughing and throwing up stomach acid, but his voice was no longer trapped. He was no longer trapped.

“Hi.” Will cooes with a smile, all bright and shining, even in the shadow cloaked room. “Welcome back.”

Nico nods as he lets the shadows go, allowing them to return to where they naturally fall, draping around the room similar to sheets or curtains.

“We might need ta get ya a few lamps if ya can’t keep from using those shadows of yours.” The son of Apollo says with a contemplating frown.

Nico rolls his eyes, knowing that a few lights wouldn’t keep him from using his abilities.

“Why are you here?” He asks instead of telling the son of Apollo something that would cause Will to fuss over his power usage even more.

“I heard your IV pole crash, so I came ta make sure ya were all right.” Will shrugged, looking him over for anything else being wrong besides the obvious.

“I’m fine.” Nico dismissed him, which only earned him a raised eyebrow that emulated questioning and doubt. “I am.” He hissed in retaliation.

“I didn’ say nothing.” Will defend himself with his hands raised.

It was only now that Will had removed his hand that Nico realized they had been holding hands up until that point. The realization caused skeletal butterflies to revive and flutter around in his stomach and heat to rise in his cheeks.

“But if I were ta say somethin’…” Will began, earning a glare. “I’d say that your definition of fine and my definition of fine are two separate thin’s, and should be treated as such. For example, you’re gonna need ta keep this on for a little while.” Will says, tapping the nose of the medical mask, which caused Nico to blink in surprise despite seeing the movement coming.

“Why?” Nico asked with a scrunched up nose.

“‘Cause ya were takin’ pretty shallow breaths when I found ya. So I figured that some supplementary oxygen can’t hurt.” Will explains, much to Nico’s humiliation.

“I wasn’t breathing shallowly due to a medical reason-” Nico began to explain, only to cut himself off, thinking better of it.

“Oh? Ya weren’t?” Will inquired, waiting patiently for him to continue.

“I wasn’t.” Nico confirmed, but stubbornly refused to elaborate on.

“...a panic attacks count as a medical reason.” Will informs him.

“It wasn’t a panic attack.” Nico argues, turning away from the son of Apollo, even if that did nothing to get rid of his attention.

“Then what was it?” Will inquires. His tone left no room for further argument while still holding the same soft cadence that he’s been speaking to Nico in during this whole… episode, incident, whatever he’s supposed to call it.

“A memory. It was a memory.” Nico answers, but does not elaborate on the what or the why’s of it.

“...” Will stayed quiet for a little while, long enough that Nico couldn’t help glancing back just to make sure he hadn’t left, despite the fact that he would have felt Will leave if he had gotten off the bed. The mattress would have moved with the lack of weight and alerted him if the blond had gotten up, but he had to see that Will was still here, that Nico wasn’t all alone.

Will had asked him to stay. He won’t leave. Nico tries to reason with himself, but his body and brain never seemed to listen to reason when he was all worked up like this, even when he was coming down from the worst of it.

“Must’ve been a pretty bad memory.” Will states, meeting Nico’s eyes, even if it required the blond to bend over and duck his head slightly.

“So it is? What of it?” Nico tsked in response, wanting the son of Apollo to drop the subject already and just leave him alone. Not leave, but just leave him alone. Will just needs to stop talking to him and let him sit in silence not thinking or remembering anything.

“Well- how vivid was the memory?” The blond asked cautiously.

“Why do you care?” Nico retorts with a glare, eyes locked on the freckles that cover the son of Apollo’s nose. He was too unsettled to try for eye contact at the moment and he knows it.

“‘Cause I promised ta take care of ya didn’t I? And I do try’n keep ta my promises.” Will explains with a soft smile playing at his lips.

“People break promises all the time.” Nico grumbled, settling back in the pillows of his bed as the exhaustion hits.

“True.” Will concedes. “But I try my best not ta break ‘em if I can, and make up for it if I can’t keep ‘em. Now, how vivid was the memory?”

“Same as always.” Nico mumbles through a yawn.

“Which is?”

“I thought I was there. I thought I was trapped again, and all alone and no one wanted to save me-”

“Shh.” Will cooes, cutting Nico’s tired ramble off as he starts to get worked up again, before they could diverge into the sobs that they surely would have become. “I got ya. I’m here, and you’re not there. You’re with me, and we’re at camp.” The son of Apollo reassures him, taking one of Nico’s hands in his own to rub circles into the back of it with his thumb.

“You’re with me, and we’re at camp.” Will repeated, over and over again in different variations, “You’re with me. You’re not there,” “I got ya. I’m here,” “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of ya,” “You’re not there. You’re at camp, with me,” until Nico fell back into unconsciousness.

The dread that comes from sleeping holding tight as the world around him goes hazy and dark. He would much rather stay awake and not risk seeing everything played on and on in an endless loop, but Nico knows he can’t do that, knows he needs sleep, especially with his powers, so he succumbs to his exhaustion, clinging onto the light before him as best as he can as he falls back asleep.

It’s not the worst way he’s fallen asleep, that’s for sure. The heavy exhaustion that comes from these violent wake ups always leaves him falling into deep unrestful sleep, and he knows that, but still, he clings onto the hand offered to him. He clings to a person who has decided to stay with him, even if it’s only for a little while. He clings to the hand linked with his own as he falls asleep, just like he once clung to his mother's, and later, his sister's.

Maybe this one won’t leave him all alone?

Who is he kidding? They all leave in the end, but for now, Nico is willing to use this person, who smiles so brightly, and talks so soft and sweet as the anchor he needs to climb back to reality; back to the solid world and away from the shadows that haunt him.

Chapter Text

Nico woke up exhausted, and as much as he would like to simply roll over and go back to bed, there was a horrible taste in his mouth that he needed to get rid of, preferably, as soon as possible. Pushing himself up into a seated position, he pulled the blanket off to one side and climbed out of bed. His feet hit the cold floor, making Nico cringe. Oh how he wished for a pair of socks right about now, but seeing as no socks will magically appear before him, Nico suffered through the cold, uncomfortable flooring, to get to the bathroom.

Something pulled on his arm, keeping him tethered near the bed, ah- the IV pole, creating a sense of déjà vu. Groaning, Nico went back for the pole, which was thankfully on wheels, and brought it with him. He flicked on the bathroom lights and noticed a few things right away. The bathroom looked lived in, well, it did if the person living there was a neat freak who kept a catty of toiletries in the corner by the sink. Sifting through the collection of items revealed a new, still packaged, toothbrush, tube of toothpaste, and an unopened bottle of mouthwash, all of which Nico was more than happy to put to use.

“Nico?” A voice, Will, called from the main room, just as Nico had finished up in the bathroom. The déjà vu regarding this particular situation was rather strong, but Nico ignored it in favor of leaving the bathroom, dragging the IV pole behind him as he went.

“Solace.” The son of Hades says in greeting, eyeing the other boy who was carrying a thick pile of wires.

“Ah- there ya are.” Will greets in turn, offering a bright smile despite the growing dark circles beneath his eyes. “Sorry I wasn’t here when ya woke up. Had ta check on a few other patients.” He explains, even though Nico never asked for one; never even asked him to stay so why would he be there when he woke up?

“It’s fine.” Nico dismissed easily as he continued his walk, leaving the pole besides the bed as he sat down. Will should be spending his time on actual patients anyway, not Nico who is fine; not actively bleeding, requiring stitches, or ill.

The son of Apollo gives him a look like he doesn’t believe him, but continues on.

“I’ll get ya a new bag in a second. Let me just hang these on up.” Will says, lifting his arms that were cradled around the wires to gesture to the item he was talking about at the expense of almost dropping them.

“What is that?” Nico couldn’t help but ask, curious about the strange contraption.

“They’re sunlamps! In fairy light form!” The son of Apollo cheerfully informs him while moving the visitor chair to one corner of the room. “We usually use these on my siblings when they go overboard with their powers, but I- uh, I haven’t had ta use these in a while…” He explains in a sad, almost nostalgically, tone before snapping out of whatever daze he had momentarily been in. His smile that had dropped ever so slightly settled back in place. “Anyways- These should help ta curve that shadow usage of yours, or it’ll cast more shadows for ya and make the area more comfortable? I’m not quite sure, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt ta try!” He tells Nico while jumping off the chair, having finished hanging the lights on one out of the four walls.

“You don’t know how this will affect me- but you’re doing it anyways?” Nico asks incredulously. He was already against being he for the three days Will had asked of him. Why would he subject himself to whatever medical experiment Will was trying to run?

“We don’t know how most things affect demigod powers when it come’s ta healin’. Most of what we do know is due to my siblin’s from ‘bout hundred or so years ago doing what I am right now- testing harmless thin’s ta see if they work.” Will simply shrugs as he moves the chair to the next corner to continue hanging up the lights.

“Then why am I the only one you’re experimenting on?” Nico asked with narrowed eyes, moving to sit criss-cross on the bed instead of leaning back against the pillows.

“You're not the only one. We use experimental methods on other campers too, but we have nothin’ on you big three kids when it comes ta medical information. All we have regarding Zues’s kids is based on the short stay Thalia had at camp. Everything for Posiden’s kids is based on Percy when he’s at camp. And everything for Hade’s kids would be based on you but you’re not usually at camp, so we’ve go nothin’.” Will answers easily, finishing up the lights for the second wall.

“Don’t you have anything from before the pact? Surely there were big three kids at camp.”

“There was- supposedly, but they were gotten rid of after your dads made the pact.” Will huffed, clearly annoyed. “It would have been bad luck to keep that kind of unnecessary information- Apparently.”

Nico blinked.

“Why do you sound more put out about this than I am? It’s my medical information.” The son of Hades pointed out, slightly amused.

“Because!” Will began, jumping off the chair for the last time. He turned back and dusted it off, moving it back to its original location, besides Nico’s bed. “Do you know how much medical knowledge was destroyed just because, oh it’s bad luck? Even if it wasn’t used for any big three kids, it could have been useful ta some other cabin! There’s a lot of cross cabin medical information! But they decided ta just- get rid of your medical information? I just- ugh!” Will groaned in frustration. “It’s whatever- don’t mind me, just- look at the lights.” He says, pressing a button that turns on all the fairy lights that hung down the walls like vines, and then he pressed another button that turned off the big overhead light.

Somehow, the fairy lights made it both darker and easier to see, much to Nico’s confusion.

“Huh.” Nico hummed, glancing at the lights.

“Good or bad?” Will inquired.

“Good- I think… it’s easier to see at least.”

That was, apparently, the wrong thing to say, as it earned a frown from the medic.

“Does it also make your head hurt less?” Will asked, and yeah, now that Nico was looking for it, the pounding at the back of his head had lessened, so he nodded his head, which is mistake number two as it caused the son of Apollo to sigh. “You’re supposed ta tell me ‘bout any pain you’re havin’.”

“I’ve only been up for- I don’t know, an hour or two max? And you were doing things.” Nico says in protest to Will’s point.

“The lights could have waited.” Will tells him with his arms crossed over his chest and a frown pulling at his lips.

Nico frowned in return.

“Don’t you have other patients to deal with?” He questioned with a huff. No he was not pouting. He was annoyed, irritated even, with the son of Apollo.

“Sure- after I take care of ya.” Will concedes, uncrossing his arms, he walks to Nico’s bed side. “Here.”

Nico stared at the offered hand. It was empty, just a hand being offered to him. Why?

“What am I supposed to do with that?” He questions, gesturing to the hand, which earned a chuckle.

“Take it? Or give me your hand. Either way works. I just need physical contact to use my ability.” Will explains. His ever present smile slipped back into place.

Narrowing his eyes, Nico hesitates to take the offered hand, but does so anyway, knowing that the son of Apollo probably wouldn’t leave him alone otherwise. He slips his hand carefully into Will’s, who takes the time to intertwine their fingers. Skeletal butterflies emerge as he fights down the blush that would have followed. Will was just doing his job. Holding hands didn’t mean anything, but it did create that feeling of déjà vu once more. The feeling of having done something similar washes over him, and Nico is left questioning if it was a dream or a memory that was replaying right before him.

“Well, it’s better than yesterday.” Will sighed, giving Nico’s hand a quick squeeze before letting it go just as fast.

The son of Apollo steps back out of his space, moving to a cabinet where he pulls out another bag of liquid, a few small bottles and syringes, and a handful of packets. He rips open one of the packets, pulling out a small white square that he uses to wipe the top of a bottle. The process is repeated with each bottle of liquid, much like the other child of Apollo had done the day before when preparing the IV bag for Nico.

“You should really stop giving me those. I’m sure there are other campers who need it far more.” Nico states in a bored tone.

He really doesn’t need all this fuss and medical attention the blond was trying to hoist onto him.

“The campers that need ‘em are the ones who get ‘em, and would ya look at that- you’re gettin’ one.” Will says dramatically with a pointed look, stabbing one of the needles into the top of a bottle to draw out the medicine.

“I really don’t need one. I’m fine.” Nico grumbles in protest, pulling his knees to his chest to settle his chin on them, content, for the time being, to watch the son of Apollo flit around the medical equipment with practiced ease.

“And we’ve been over this, your definition of fine and my definition of fine are two completely separate things.” Will shrugs, gently shaking the IV bag to mix the injected medication.

Will takes down the empty bag and hangs up the new one, clipping the line of tubing shut so he could attach the new bag to it. He removed the clip once the bag was connected and let the fluids slowly flood the line.

“You’ll be allowed visitors today.” Will informs him. “Let me know if any of them do anything upsetting so I can kick them out or reprimand them.”

“Why would you do that?” Nico asked in bewilderment.

“Because you’re a patient under my care? Upsetting a patient isn’t good for their recovery, so if they upset ya, they’ll be kicked out or punished, dependin’ on how bad it was.” Will explains patiently.

Nico hums in return but otherwise says nothing, continuing to track Will’s movements with an easy flicker of his eyes around the room.

“Is there anything ya want for breakfast? You’re still on liquid food, but ya can choose the type.” Will inquired once he seemed to be done with all his tasks.

“I’m not hungry.” Nico shrugged.

“Than it’s a good thin’ I’m gettin’ ya something ta drink, not eat.” Will snarks, and as much as Nico enjoys having someone not scared to talk back to him, why does it have to be this annoying medic?

“...Tea, then? Hot, preferably.” Nico answers tiredly, already done with this rather long social interaction. He was not rested enough for visitors today.

“Sure. Are ya currently nauseous?”

“Not anymore than usual.”

The son of Apollo nods, taking his leave with a ‘be back in a bit’ and a wave, leaving Nico alone in the now dimly lit room. The lights were definitely making it warmer, that was for sure, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable warmth so it was fine. Actually, it was rather comfortable, so much so that Nico remembers blinking and then the son of Apollo was back with a tray of things, being followed into the room by someone. The someone in question was Hazel who was carrying a small pile of what looked like clothing.

“Sorry that took so long- ran in ta this little one on the way.” Will apologies, setting the tray on the moveable table besides Nico.

“t‘s fine.” The son of Hades says through a yawn, which causes Will to light up.

“Did ya sleep well?” The son of Apollo asks with an actual smile, not that fake one he keeps plastered on his face.

Nico shrugged. He didn’t end up there this time around so it was probably the best he would get.

“Alright then. I’ll leave ya be. Just call if ya need anything- Oh! And drink that glass of lemonade first.” Will instructs before saying goodbye to both underworld children, taking his leave.

“Hi Nico.” Hazle greets gently. Placing the pile of clothes on the bed so that her arms were free for a hug.

“Ciao sorellina.” Nico greeted her in turn.

The feeling of spiders crawling on him made an appearance in his mind but he pushed it down, returning the hug. He gave his sister a kiss on the forehead.

“How are you doing? I asked Will but he said ‘patient confidentiality’.” Hazle explains with a pout.

“I’m fine, as I keep telling Solace, but he insisted on giving me IV liquids and vitamins.” Nico huffed.

Letting go of his sister, he patted a part of the bed. Hazle took the permission for what it was and sat down besides her brother.

“Well, clearly something is wrong, or they wouldn’t be keeping you here.” Hazle points out with furrowed brows.

Nico shrugged.

Sighing with a shake of her head, the daughter of Pluto switched topics.

“Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

“No, Solace has me on a liquid diet for the time being.” Nico informs his sister, gesturing to the drinks.

“You should probably drink them then. I’ve already eaten breakfast and it will be time for lunch in a few hours.”

Not wanting to argue, Nico picked up the glass of lemonade he had been instructed to drink. He eyed it for a moment, frowning at the red floating specks. There was most likely medicine hidden in the drink. Apparently Will didn’t trust him to take medicine on his own and thought to hide it.

Huffing, Nico downed the drink, expecting it to taste off, and it did, but not how he expected it to. There wasn’t any medicinal flavoring to the drink. It was a touch spicy, not enough to really even be called spicy, but enough for it to be noticeable. It was also sweet, and not sour or bitter like he had expected.

“Something wrong with that?” Hazle asked in concern.

“It’s just weird tasting. Probably not a traditional lemonade.” Nico says dismissively, soothing his sister's worries.

They end up talking for a while, mainly about what they were planning to do at their respective camps. Hazel was planning to head back to her own camp in a day or two. When she found out how long Will was planning to keep Nico, she decided to wait until he was released so they could have a proper goodbye. Nico, well, he was planning to stay at camp for a little while. Probably no longer than his stay after the battle of the labyrinth. This whole arrangement was probably only going to last that long, maybe less, maybe more, before everyone went back to avoiding and staring at him with nervous eyes.

“But you are staying? At least for a little while?” Hazel questioned worriedly, letting Nico fidget with the hem of her skort.

“I’ll stay as long as they want me, but that’s never for very long.” Nico tells his sister, earning a frown.

“At least one person wants you around.” Hazel points out. “Will seemed rather friendly.”

“That’s practically his job.” Nico tsked.

“Maybe, or maybe not. He could just want to be your friend.” Hazel tells him, but Nico doesn’t bother holding onto any hope that the sun god’s child would want to be anywhere near the shadows, let alone someone as dark as Nico.

“He doesn’t.” The son of Hades says with a glum shake of his head.

The horn for lunch meal time blows, letting the children of the underworld know that it was time to eat. Hazel got up, gave Nico a hug, and went on her way, promising to visit tomorrow, as there was a meeting later that day for the romans that were still at camp.

Sighing, Nico laid down. He didn’t close his eyes. He didn’t want to sleep and risk going back there, but he was tired, so he decided to at least lay down to rest. Staring at the wall of cabinets ended up being the best use of his time, playing with old memories that weren’t quite whole and felt like more of a movie about ghosts than a true memory. He watched his mama roll something out, mixing some kind of dough by hand as his older sister carefully copied her. A little Nico joined in, or at least, tried to join in, only to get flour thrown at his nose. The sneeze that led to startled Nico out of his head at the same time as the door to his room opened once more.

Will Solace stood in the doorway with a new tray of bowls and cups.

“Hi.” He greeted, walking up to Nico’s bedside. He swapped one tray out for the other. The old tray was moved to the counter area next to the sink and cabinets. “How was hanging out with Hazel?”

“Fine.” Nico sighed, not bothering to sit up.

“I see she brought you a change of clothes.” Will observes as he takes the seat next to Nico’s bed.

“I don’t know why she did that.” Nico tells the son of Apollo. He hadn’t even bothered to ask really, more concerned about when she would be leaving than what she had brought him.

“That would probably be ‘cause I told her she could. They’re comfy clothes that won’t get in the way of anything medical. Or- at least, they’re suposed ta be. I don’ know what it’s that she actually brought ya.” Will explains.

“Don’t I need to be in a hospital gown?” Nico inquires curiously, eyeing the son of Apollo with slow, tired blinks.

“Not really. I’ve already taken a look at those scratches of yours, so unless ya want me ta take a look at anythin’ else, you’re free ta change in ta those.” Will says, gesturing to the neat pile of clothes sitting on the bed.

“Can I shower first?” Nico asks, not wanting to change into fresh clothes while he was all dirty.

“Nope. Can’t have ya collapsin’ in the shower, but ya can take a bath.” Will compromises.

Nico nods, which was really more of a nuzzling action into the pillow beneath his head.

“Later.” He decides, earning a nod in turn from the medic.

“So long as ya tell me when you’re plannin’ on taking one, that’s fine”

“Why do you need to know?” Nico asked with a frown.

“It’s both for safety reasons and so I can properly disconnect your line and wrap your IV sight.” Will tells him before he has a chance to complain about not being allowed to do anything on his own. “Now, why don’t ya drink some of your soup?” Will suggests as he grabs something off of his tray, a piece of solid food, a sandwich, and takes a bite, settling further into his spot besides Nico.

“...What kind of medicine did you hide in this one?” Nico inquired, looking at the soup bowl.

“None. Why?”

Nico shrugged the shoulder he wasn’t lying on.

“You snuck some kind of red floating thing into the lemonade, I assumed you try sneaking more meds in.” He answers, trying his best not to let annoyance color his tone, but he’s not sure how well that worked.

“Red floating- ah! That wasn’t medicine, that was cayenne. I put it in lemonade when I’m in charge of making it.” Will explained. “Cayance, lemon juice, and maple syrup instead of sugar. It’s just somethin’ my mama used ta do when she made it- I mean, it has medicinal values and that’s why she did it, but I mainly do it cause that’s what I’m used ta.”

“Oh.”

“Yup, so no sneaky meds for ya. If I’m giving ya meds, I’ll tell ya ‘bout them. Promise.” Will says with a soft smile. “Now, eat your soup.”

Nico lets out a breath, pushing himself to sit up. He ignores how dizzy the action made him and picks up one of the bowls. They eat in silence for the most part, much to Nico’s confusion. Will just sits besides Nico eating his sandwich and chips while Nico drinks his soup. He looks just as tired as Nico feels and the son of Hades isn’t sure why, but it feels wrong to see him like this. Or maybe it was just wrong for him to be in such a state.

The medic was eventually called to go handle something else, leaving Nico alone in his room once again. He had finished his soup, and was feeling rather nauseous, but not like he was going to throw up, so he was stuck sitting up in bed for the time being. Laying down would only make him want to throw up more. Instead he curled up into a ball, pulling his legs to his chest, resting his head against his knees.

It hasn’t been a bad second day, he thinks. Not with the company he’s gotten so far. Seeing his sister was nice, and Will hasn’t been unbearable. The son of Apollo was rather nice to him, even though he is a son of Hades, but it was his job after all. Sure Hazel mentioned that he might want to be friends but how likely was that? The son of Apollo, the literal god of light, befriending the son of Hades, of the dead and shadows. What an odd pair they would make, but he was nice company.

If he wasn’t so stuck in the shadows, he wouldn’t mind being friends with Will, but he doubts the son of Apollo would want to be his friend in turn. Nico groaned. He was so tired of being left in the background, but who would want to be friends with him?

Chapter Text

There was a knock on the door only a few moments prior to the door itself opening. A head of blond hair poking in as blue eyes surveyed the room.

“Hey.” Will said in greeting as he entered the room fully. A new tray of liquid food in hand.

Nico raised a brow at the blond, not bothering to lift his head up from where it was resting on his knees.

“Hi.”

“I brought your dinner and night meds.” Will says, as if he had the need to explain why he was there in Nico’s room.

“I can see that.” Nico points out in a rather dry tone.

The blond simply nods, replacing Nico’s old tray with the new one. There was a bowl of soup, this one with bits of solid food, and a carton of an unknown liquid next to it.

“What’s that?” Nico inquired, nodding his head in the direction of the carton.

“What’s what?” Will asked with a tilt of his head. “The soup? It’s miso with seaweed- no tofu though. I wasn’t sure ‘bout how you’d like the texture.”

Nico blinked. Taking in the information.

“Cool, but that wasn’t what I was asking about. I was asking about the other thing- in the carton?”

“Oh- that’s a protein shake. I figured if ya can keep the shakes down we can work a little slower on gettin’ ya ta solid food, but if ya can’t keep down a protein shake, we might have ta give ya a temp tube.” Will explains oh so helpfully. If only Nico knew what he was talking about.

“A temp tube? What would that be?” Nico inquired with furrowed brows.

It was apparently Will’s turn to be confused as he blinked, once, twice- processing the information, or in this case, Nico’s lack of information.

“A temp tube would be a temporary feeding tube. It goes through your nose, down inta your stomach so I can feed ya a formula that has the nutrition your missing since ya can’t eat solid food at the moment.”

“Oh.” Nico frowns. “Why didn’t you just do that to start with. It seems like less trouble.”

Will shook his head.

“A tube isn’t somethin’ ya get just ‘cause it’s convenient for ya. Ya really only get one when there isn’t another option.” Will explains patiently as he plops down onto the seat besides Nico’s bed. Apparently the healer has decided that this was going to be a long conversation and not just an errand to drop off Nico’s food. “The fact that ya can keep down the different liquids we tested yesterday means a tube might not be necessary for ya. If you’re able ta keep down that protein shake then we’re all good for the time bein’ while we work ya back up ta solid foods.”

“And if the shake makes me sick?” Nico inquiries.

“Then we’ll try again later.” Will states simply.

“But you just said if I can’t keep the shake down then I would need the tube.” Nico points out, earning a shrug.

“It could just be that your body isn’t used to the thicker liquid sitting in your stomach. If ya can’t keep down that shake right now, I’m not goin’ automatically tube ya. I’d like at least a few attempts at drinkin’ a protein shake before we decide ta use the temp tube.” The son of Apollo informs him.

The two teens sat in silence for a moment as Nico observed the tray of liquids. Nico weighed the pros and cons of drinking them and potentially getting sick. The thought once again brings about the feeling of déjà vu.

“I got sick last night- didn’t I? That’s why I woke up to that horrid taste in my mouth.” Nico realized, looking over at the blond who was now blinking owlishly at him.

“Ya did.” Will nods slowly, pausing to tilt his head to the side. “Did ya forget?”

“Its- hazy, I guess would be a word for it. The memory is in bits and pieces.” Nico admits with furrowed brows. His nose crunched up as he pursed his lips, trying to put the flashes of images and thoughts back in order.

“That makes sense.” Will nods. “I did find ya in the bathroom mid panic attack- or well, ya didn’t wanna call it a panic attack, ya just called in a memory. I suppose it could have been a flashback.” The blond mused. “Did I ever give ya a psychological evaluation?” He inquired, narrowing his eyes at something next to Nico, but when the son of Hades looked there was nothing but air. Then Will shook his head as if to shake the thought away. “I’ll do that tomorrow.” Will decides with a nod. He was seemingly talking to himself since he didn’t actually wait for Nico’s input. “But yeah- ya threw up last night and fell back asleep before ya could wash your mouth out so I just left some toiletries in the bathroom for when ya woke up.”

“Thank you for that.” Nico says with a nod, glossing over the potential mental evaluation.

“‘Course. I told ya before that I’d take care of ya.” Will hums melodically.

Once again getting the feeling of déjà vu hit him. Nico could practically hear the words echoing. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of ya, Will had said over and over again the night before. Different phrases of I’m here and You’re with me, had been repeated to Nico until he had fallen back asleep. Blushing furiously, Nico tried to calm the skeletal butterfly fluttering about his stomach. The feelings that this boy was causing were currently unwelcomed, especially after he had finally gotten completely over his last crush.

“Right- because that’s your job.” Nico says, more to remind himself than anything else.

“And cause that’s what friends do.” Will corrects with a frown. “They take care of each other.”

“But we aren’t friends.” Nico points out, wincing at the harsh tone.

“Aren’t we?” Will questions in turn.

The response of no we aren’t is right there on the tip of his tongue, but he can’t help but want. He wants to be friends, so instead of answering, he hesitates. Will seems to take the silence as his answer anyways and nods his head, getting up to leave, much to Nico’s alarm. He reaches out, grabbing Will’s wrist in a half panicked state, not sure what else to do- not wanting the son of Apollo to leave; not wanting to be alone.

Somehow, Will seems to know what Nico is thinking, and offers him a melancholy smile.

“I’ll be right back. We’ve just been talkin’ for a while an’ your soup is cold now.” Will explains. “Drink your shake. I’ll be back by the time you’re done.” He says, earning a nod from the son of Hades who lets go of his wrist, allowing Will to grab Nico’s soup and leave the room.

Staring after the son of Apollo, Nico has to forcefully shake himself out of the panicked daze Will leaving had drowned his mind in. Pursing his lips Nico grabbed the carton off of his tray, unscrewing the lid. He sighed, taking a sip of the thick liquid.

It wasn’t horrible- definitely not something that Nico would drink if it wasn’t for the fact that Will had told him to do it, but it was edible. Drinking down the rest of the chocolate beverage, Nico could feel the cold hit his stomach as he swallowed it down and had to hold back the gage that came along with the feeling of being too full.

The door opened once again, revealing the same head of blond hair as Will walked into the room, not bothering to knock this time as he cared in the bowl of soup. He put it down on the tray next to the now empty carton and smiled. Not the forced bright smile, but the soft one that was clearly an involuntary upward pull of the lips. It felt like a reward for doing what was asked of him, and despite what Nico may claim, part of him was still a child wanting the praise and acknowledgement of others.

Will busied himself with checking Nico’s empty IV back, taking it down and preparing a new one to be hung, while Nico drank down his soup, not bothering to chew the leaflets of seaweed. They were practically liquid themselves, so there was really no point in chewing them.

“Can I take a bath now?” Nico inquired as he placed the empty bowl onto the tray.

“Hm? Sure. Let me just get the stuff ta wrap your IV line up.” Will says as he finishes messing with the IV bag.

Hanging the bag back up on the pole, the son of Apollo left the line disconnected for the time being. Walking over the the drawers he pulled out a long box, some tape, and some bandages. He brought the supplies over to Nico’s bedside and extended a hand, which Nico gave with out protest. Somewhere in the back of his mind the son of Hades noticed that he didn’t hesitate to give his arm this time.

“This is just in case some water gets under the wrappin’.” Will explains as he wraps a layer of bandages around the IV line. “Plus it holds the thin’ in place so ya can move ‘round a bit more.”

Nico hummed in acknowledgment, watching tan, scared hands work to wrap the bandages around and around.

“This is ta waterproof it.” Will says, wrapping some kind of plastic clinging wrap over top of the bandages in a few layers. “And of course, the tap ta keep it all in place.” He explains with a smirk, laying the tap on the edge of the plastic where it met too pale skin and down along the seam of where the clinging plastic laid over itself. “All done.” Will cheered.

“So I can get it wet like this?” Nico inquired, poking at the covering.

“Sure. I mean- don’t keep it under water, but if ya accidently dip it in the bath it’ll be fine.” Will explains. “Although you’re gonna need help if ya wanna wash your hair, just ‘cause of the placement. I don’t wanna bend the tube in your arm too much and need ta place a new one since ya weren’t a fan of it bein’ put in, in the first place.”

“What do you mean I’ll need help? I thought the point of telling you and wrapping my arm was so I could bath on my own.” Nico scowled, looking up at the blond.

“Ya can bath on your own, but if ya wanna wash your hair, you’ll need someone else ta do it. I can go get your sister or one of my siblin’s if ya don’t wanna have me do it, but someone needs ta help ya, or you’ll just have ta go without washin’ your hair.” Will informs the son of Hades who is once again flushed red, this time from embarrassment.

Nico opened his mouth to complain or maybe just to lash out in an attempt to hide his embarrassment, but Will, ever the mind reader, already had a counter argument on the tip of his tongue.

“It’s not like you’ll need ta be naked ta be in the bath.” Will reassures him. “Ya can either have your boxers on or a towel ‘round your waist while your gettin’ your hair washed, then when whoever’s helppin’ ya is done, they can leave and ya can wash the rest of your body.” The blond points out.

The fact that he doesn’t have to actually be completely naked helps with some of the embarrassment so he gives in, nodding at the blond.

“You can help me.” Nico allowed with a sigh of defeat, earning another melodic hum of acknowledgement.

“Alright, let me go run the bath for ya, while ya look on through those clothes ta make sure it’s everythin’ ya need.” Will says as he graciously leaves Nico alone so he could calm himself down.

The sound of water running in the bathroom was heard as Nico looked through the clothes Hazel had brought him. An oversized black t-shirt with a skull on the front, some black and gray plaid pajama pants, a pair of boxers, and some fuzzy socks that have little toe beans on the underside. The sight of the socks only served to fluster him once more. Was he this much of a menace when he was the younger sibling?

“Ya got everything?” Will called from where he was leaning against the bathroom’s door frame.

“Yeah. I think so.” Nico nods as he got off the bed, ignoring the black spots in his vision. “A t-shirt work with the IV right?”

“Yup!” Will agrees, popping the ‘p’ at the end obnoxiously. “T-shirts work just fine. Come test the water for me.” He orders with a tilt of his head behind him.

Nodding, Nico quietly slipped past Will into the bathroom, placing his clothes down on the sink counter. The cart that had previously been in the corner was now by the bath tube. One of the layers had a small pile of different sized towels, another had different containers of what he assumes are soaps, and the top had the dental hygge products that he had used that morning.

“Towel or boxers?” Will inquires from his spot in the doorway, making it obvious that he would leave to allow Nico whatever privacy he asked for.

Nico sighed, untying the back of the hospital gown.

“Boxers- it’s not like you didn’t see me like this when you were doing my examination.” Nico points out just to make himself feel better. Will was camps equivalent of a medic. He probably delt with half dressed teenagers all the time given the general state of demigods at the end of the war.

Will nods, stepping fully into the bathroom, seemingly unbothered by Nico’s state of undress.

“Door open or closed?” The medic asked, gesturing to the bathroom door.

Nico frowned.

“Will anyone be coming into the main room?” He inquired, earning a shrug.

“If they need me probably.”

“Then closed.” Nico decides, preferring if they knocked first so he at least had some warning that someone else was going to see him half naked, even if it was only the other Apollo children. “Please.” He tacked on in a half-hearted attempt of being polite.

Will hums, closing the door. He gestured to the tube. Testing the water, Nico decided it was good enough, and climbed in, careful to keep his arm with the IV line out of the water, resting it on the edge of the tub.

“Is the water good?” Will questioned as he knelt by Nico’s head, earning a content hum. “Alright, I gotta wet your hair first then ya can just lean your head ‘gainst the rim.”

“Okay.” Nico huffed, forcing himself to sit up a bit more.

Will dunked a small cup into the water. He used the back of his hand to lift Nico’s chin up to tilt his head farther back, pouring the water over Nico’s hair. He repeated the motion a few times until his hair was thoroughly soaked.

The smell of frankincense filled the room as Will worked soap into Nico’s hair, creating a thick foamy lather on his scalp. Every once in a while Will would comb his fingers through the suds, dragging them down the length of Nico’s hair to coat the rest of the strands.

“Frankincense is one of my dad’s favorite offerings.” Nico commented into the otherwise quiet room.

“I didn’t know it was one of his favorites.” Will says, surprise clear in his voice.

Nico hummed, tilting his head a little farther back so he could look at the blond.

“But you know it was one of his offerings.” The son of Hades states with narrowed eyes, earning a nod from Will, along with a sheepish smile. Nico sighed, returning his neck to a less extended position. This didn’t feel malicious in nature. Perhaps a little teasing, but otherwise it could be seen as something thought full. “Thank you.” He mumbled into the air.

“Of course.” Will says softly, running his hands through Nico’s hair once more.

They continued on in the quiet of water ripples and bubble pops, content to exist without words. Will nudged Nico forward slightly, dipping the cup into the water to pour it over Nico’s hair. He didn’t fully rinse out the suds, just wetting them, or maybe spreading them through the hair, before messaging his scalp to create more bubbles.

He was half asleep by the time Will had him sit up to truly rinse all the soap out of his hair. The sweet smell of vanilla gently mixed with the frankincense shampoo as Will combed the conditioner through his hair.

“Why vanilla?” Nico mumbled out tiredly.

The hands on his head moved in such a way that Nico assumed Will had shrugged.

“I usually pick a sweet smell ta counter the shampoo and vanilla went pretty well with the frankincense.” Will answered, earning a hum.

“What do you use?” Nico asked curiously.

“Me? I use a citrus shampoo and a honey conditioner.”

Nico blinked, looking back at Will once again.

“Those are both Apollo offerings.” He pointed out, letting his neck fall back into a neutral position.

“They are.”

“Do you do that with all your patients- match the soap to their parents?” Nico inquired.

“When I have the time.” Will answers.

“But you haven’t had time.” Nico reminds the son of Apollo who has been looking far too tired recently.

The hands combing through his hair pause momentarily, before going back into motion. The cup dipped back into the water to soak the conditioner deeper into his hair.

“I dragged ya here. The least I could do is make ya feel welcomed.” Will murmurs softly and politely ignores the slight hitch of Nico’s breath.

“Thank you.” Nico whispered once again.

“Of course. That’s what friends are for.” Will says gently. Not quite pushing the topic, but reintroducing it.

The cup is dipped into the water once again, this time to fully rinse the conditioner out of his hair.

“All done.” Will informs the son of Hades as he took a hand towel out of the cart to dry off his hands.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” Will answers once again as he stands up. “I’m gonna go grab some paperwork ta work on in your room so ya can just call me if ya need something while bathin’, mk?”

Nico nods, turning around so he could see the blond.

“... Solace.” Nico calls out as Will turns to leave.

“Yeah, di Angelo?”

“I’d like to be friends.” Nico decides quietly, earning another of those soft, unintentional smiles that feels like a reward.

“Then we’re friends.” Will informs him just as quietly.

“That’s it?” Nico can’t help just question, turning to fully face the blond as he moves to sit criss-cross in the tub.

“That’s it.” Will agrees, leaning against the door, watching Nico stare up at him.

“Huh.”

Will chuckles softly.

“I’ll be in the next room over.” The son of Apollo reminds him. “Door open or closed.”

“Closed.” Nico answers once again.

Will nods, standing up straight, he opens the door and leaves, closing the door behind himself, leaving Nico be, but not alone. He was just the next room over after all.

Sinking back into the soapy water, Nico was careful to keep his IV line dry even if he was otherwise submerged. Of course the embarrassment of the situation was hitting him now that Will was no longer in the room, or perhaps it was thank gods that it was only after the son of Apollo had left the room that he remembered to be embarrassed.

For being someone that can’t stand to be touched, he had practically melted into Will’s hands as they ran through his hair, untangling knots, and washing away whatever oily dirt had built up at his roots. It was odd to be touched so gently, especially for so long. If it had been Hazle, maybe he wouldn’t have questioned it all that much, but it was Will Solace, son of Apollo, not his sister, or someone related to him, so it was strange that his brain had decided that this person was okay to touch him, well, not entirely okay, seeing as he still felt the spiders crawling on him when he was holding Will’s hand so the medic could check his vitals.

What was the difference between then and now? Why was this touch okay, but the previous touches were uncomfortable? Was it because they were friends now? No- it couldn’t be. They didn’t agree to be friends until after Will had finished washing his hair, but Will had already made it known that he wanted to be friends with him? Was that why? No. If that was it, he would be able to tolerate a lot more touch, or maybe not. It’s not like he had people lining up to be his friend so he can’t exactly test the theory.

Shaking himself out of his musing, Nico stripped out of his boxers, ringing as much water as he could out of them before handing the fabric over the rim of the tub to dry. He then grabbed a washcloth out of the cart and began scrubbing himself down with soap. It was a bit of delicate maneuvering to wash his other arm without soaking it, but wasn’t too difficult seeing as he could technically get the IV line’s cover wet, he just couldn’t submerge it.

Ringing the washcloth out, Nico hung it over the edge of the tub to dry before setting out. He grabbed the largest towel off of the cart and wrapped it around himself for a few moments, letting the fluffy fabric keep him warm for a moment before braving the chilly air entirely to pat himself dry. Rubbing the towel over his hair a few times got rid of a good bit of the water, at least enough to get it to drop dripping as often, which was good enough to get dressed.

Pulling on his clothing was a lot more difficult than he thought it would be, which was to say he hadn’t thought it would be difficult at all, but with the IV in his arm, he didn’t want to bend it all the way in case he messed it up and would have to get a new one placed. The solution ended up being to fully pull the arm with the IV line in it all the way through the proper arm hole before putting his other arm and head through their respective holes. A bit difficult to do one handed without bending his other arm, but not impossibly hard.

He gives his hair one more rough run through with the towel before deciding to just shake his head and let the hairs fall where they want to before calling his bath done. Nico hung the towel on the door’s hook before opening it, walking into the main room, and just like Will said he would be, the blond was working on a thick stack of paperwork on the moveable table that had previously been holding the tray used for his food. Seeing that the tray was nowhere to be found, Nico assumed that Will had put them away when he went to go get his paperwork.

“Hey.” Will greets without looking up. “Good bath?”

Nico nods his head before realizing that he would have to answer verbally.

“Yeah- I needed that.” Nico decides as he climbs back into bed.

“Yeah?” Will echoed, looking up from his paperwork to smile at the son of Hades- and wasn’t that weird. A son of Apollo smiling at a son of Hades. Their powers are the complete opposite of each other, and yet.

They’re friends, Nico realized with a start while staring at the son of Apollo. He has a friend of his own making. Not someone related to him or someone who knew his older sister and took pity on him, but a friend all his own.

Was it bad if he wanted to keep it to themselves, so it would be something just for them? Probably. That's how friendships work- supposedly. He wouldn’t know seeing as this is his first friendship that had nothing to do with anyone else but himself and the friend in question. Friendships are supposed to be public so you could claim the other person as your own, and to be fair, Nico wouldn’t mind that either, but right now he just wants to keep this little thing, so precious and fragile, close to his chest where no one could come and steal it away from him.

Gods he sounds so needy.

“Ya alright there, di Angelo?” Will inquired with a tilt of his head.

“Fine, just tired.” Nico dismissed him, blinking rapidly as his eye refocused on the blond medic sitting before him.

“I can go if ya want ta sleep.” Will points out softly, not putting any weight into the decision one way or another.

Part of Nico wanted the blond to leave but the other part of him that doesn’t want to be alone, that never wants to be alone, doesn’t want his friend to leave him. He almost tells the son of Apollo to leave just to prove to himself that he wasn’t a needy child, but he couldn’t bring himself to dismiss his new friend; not yet at least. Maybe in a little while, but for now, while his mind was trying to cling to anything it can to keep itself in the here and now, Nico allows himself this new comfort.

“Stay?” The son of Hades decides, even if it comes out more as a question. “At least until I fall asleep.” Nico amends the request.

“Sure- I have more than enough paperwork to do.” Will smirks.