Chapter Text
“Wakey, wakey, Sunshine!“
Will groaned, peeling his eyes open and trying to adjust to the bright lighting coming from the window that had its curtains pulled back.
He looked out the window at the equally bright sky, feeling a sense of resentment settle in his stomach.
He turned his head, focusing instead on the boy looming over him with an amused expression. “Morning, sunshine. Congrats on not dying.“
Will groaned and pulled his pillow out from under his head, covering his face with it.
The battle with Gaia had happened two days prior, and Will had been injured pretty good. A few long wounds had been stitched and bandaged on his shoulder. He was also dealing with the consequences of all the shadow-travel he’d been doing.
Nico grabbed the pillow and pulled it away from Will’s face. “Come on, I gotta do a checkup.“
Will reluctantly sat up with yet another groan.
Nico smirked slightly. “Rough night? How’ve you been sleeping?“
“Like I just fought in a war,“ Will said in a deadpan monotone voice.
Nico hummed. “Interesting. Though, I would prefer you slept like someone who was extremely exhausted. Which you are.“
Will rolled his eyes but had to agree.
He was extremely exhausted, but sleeping was difficult for him sometimes.
He could tell it was difficult for Nico as well at the moment. There were bags under his eyes, and his posture was more crooked than usual.
Will felt guilty for not treating him the best, but he really couldn’t help himself much. He felt terrible physically and emotionally.
Nico put his middle finger and index finger to Will’s pulse point to check his vitals before taking his hand away and scribbling a couple things on his clipboard.
“I’m gonna need to check your shoulder to make sure it isn’t getting infected. You been taking your nectar and ambrosia?“
Will sighed. “Yes.“
Nico unwrapped the bandages and inspected the quickly closing wounds. “Okay…“ He replaced the bandages. “We should be good. Finish this before I get back.” Nico told him, plopping a small bag with a square of ambrosia inside on Will’s lap, then left the room.
Will sighed and took the small square out of the bag. Eating ambrosia and nectar was bittersweet for him. It tasted like his Mom’s food, and he didn’t like to dwell on that subject.
He quickly chewed it and gulped down the water bottle next to him on a small table in hopes of making the taste go away.
Nico returned a few minutes later, leaning against the door frame and chewing on a pencil as he looked at his clipboard.
He took the pencil out of his mouth and wrote something down before setting both items down and walking over to Will.
He sat on a spinny stool next to the cot and held out his hand. “Gotta take your IV out, Solace.”
Will gave Nico his arm, barely flinching when Nico tore the tape away and pulled the small plastic needle out of the crook of his elbow.
Will bent and straightened out his arm a couple times before holding it straight again so Nico could bandage it.
Nico stood and stretched his arms over his head. “I’m changing out of these scrubs, and then you’re coming with me for a walk, got it?”
Will cocked his head to the side. “Why, exactly, are we going on a walk?“
Nico shrugged. “I’m done with my shift and you need to get out. No “buts”.”
Will chuckled a little. “Whatever you say, di Angelo.“
They were both silent for a few minutes after they left the infirmary. Nico seemed to be waiting for Will to say something first.
Will cleared his throat, thinking of what to say. “So, uh, have you released many people from the infirmary yet?“ he asked, wincing a little when he realized that was probably a bit of a sore subject at the moment.
Nico shrugged. “A few. The battle was pretty bad, though. Some people died before they even got there…“
Will fidgeted with his hands, not knowing how to respond to that. But luckily, Nico spoke up again.
“Why’d you come back to camp? I thought you didn’t like it here?“
Will grimaced slightly. “Ya’ll needed some help, I guess. I don’t really… plan to stay, anyway.“
Nico rolled his eyes. “Thanks for the help, though. Having three kids of the big three definitely helped us win. Also, you won’t be leaving after you’re done with the infirmary.”
Will opened his mouth to protest but closed it when he saw the expression on Nico’s face. He deflated. “You can’t…“
Nico smiled a little. “Yes, I can. You need to be monitored for a while anyway.“
Will sighed but didn’t argue.
He’d never felt more welcome somewhere for years then when he was with Nico.
The thought made his cheeks flush. Luckily, Nico didn’t notice.
“On the bright side, you are looking a little better. I think you can leave on schedule.“
Will felt a little disappointed from that, but he tried to ignore it. “Cool.“
They kept walking until they saw a small crowd gathered around the Athena Parthenos.
Nico and Will both shivered simultaneously. The white and the bronze material it was made out of was extra bright in the sun, and it hurt Will’s eyes a bit to look at.
He had no idea how they actually managed to get the statue there, but it was what won the war for them. He tried not to think about it too hard.
“Hey, Nico!“ a voice he didn’t recognize called.
Nico waved and Will turned his head to see it was a girl with dark skin, wild curly hair, and striking gold eyes that stood out even from a distance.
“Hey, Hazel. You feeling okay?“
Hazel smiled. “Yeah, I’m better.“ She put a hand on her left side. “The stuff you gave me’s been working pretty well. Thanks.“
Nico looked to where the Romans had a small camp set up. “How long are you guys planning to stay?“
Hazel shrugged. “Until we’re all healed up. We botherin’ you?“
Nico gave her a small smile. “No, I think you’re good. Are you settling in okay?“
Hazel nodded and smiled. “Yeah, everyone’s been super nice. Why haven’t you been there though?“
Nico sighed, running a hand down his face. “I’ve been in the infirmary. It’s been pretty busy, so I’ve stayed to help.“
Will felt a pang of guilt.
Hazel ruffled his hair, making him laugh and brush her hand away. “Just come back soon, kay?“
“I’ll try,“ he promised. “See you later.“
She smiled once again and gave him a quick hug. “See ya, Nico.“ Then she walked off.
“Who was that?“ Will asked, something that felt suspiciously like jealousy flaring up in his stomach.
“Hazel Levesque. She’s one of the Romans; child of Apollo.“
Will let out a small breath. So they were siblings. He felt weirdly reassured by that.
Nico looked up at the sky. The sun was halfway up the sky.
“Wanna go grab some lunch before we head back to the infirmary?“
Will fidgeted with his hands. The people here hardly even knew him. They knew he was the son of Hades who would help with battles, but Will would always leave soon afterwards. He wasn’t sure he wanted to deal with the stares.
“I think I’ll pass.”
Nico didn’t ask him why. He just shrugged and nodded. “Okay. I’ll bring some food over if you wanna go back yourself.“
Will nodded and left to go to the infirmary without another word.
Just one more day, then he could leave and not bother anyone anymore. He’d already been enough of a burden to Nico.