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••••
"A... Quest. With four people? Isn't it usually either one or three?"
"One plus three in this case," Percy muttered.
"Thank you, Percy," Annabeth sassed.
"Children. Pay attention," Chiron said sharply.
Nico, in the corner, hadn't said a word, per usual.
"Apollo needs his lyre. He specifically requested the four of you. He promised the quest wouldn't be cursed with the unusual number of participants," continued Chiron. "I would not put your group in a room together, even supervised, but I will not question a god. You may leave tonight."
"Tonight?" Will asked. "Shouldn't we go in the morning? We'll have more time to cover ground and we'll be better reste—"
"Do not question me, little healer."
Will gulped, nodding. Chiron never had liked him.
Nico's expression tightened at the firmness towards Will, but it went unnoticed.
"Okay," Percy said. "I guess we should go pack bags. Meet back here in ten?"
"Sure," Annabeth nodded.
••••
By the time they left, it was dawn. They were all exhausted. Annabeth was irritable, Percy was quiet, Will had stopped fidgeting, and Nico kept stumbling.
Eventually, Nico stumbled over a rock and dislocated his ankle.
So now, they had three demigods walking and one being carried.
Nico would never admit how content he was in Will's arms.
••••
"Hold still, di Angelo."
Will was attempting to reset Nico's ankle, but he kept squirming.
"Nico," Will hissed. "Stop. Moving."
"I'm fine, Solace. I-"
"If you don't stop moving, I'm going to sedate you."
Nico sighed and stopped struggling. He thrust (shut up, dirty-minded people) his leg out so Will could see it.
"Great. Now, this is going to hurt. Would you like a cloth to bite on?"
"No. I'm fine."
Will rolled his eyes but continued. His hands — they were cold, as always. He had cold hands and a warm body, and Nico had the opposite — came to grip the sides of Nico's ankle.
Then he twisted.
Pop!
"GAH-!" Nico yelped. Will saw the tears gather at the edges of his eyes.
"Told you," Will said simply. He wrapped Nico's ankle, then helped him over to the campfire.
••••
"So," Percy said. "Nico, you alright?"
"I'm fine, Jackson."
"I just-"
"Shush."
Annabeth snickered, and Will swallowed a chuckle.
"We should sleep," Annabeth called softly.
"I got first watch," Percy called.
"Second, Annabeth claimed.
Nico mumbled, "Third."
Will grinned. "Y'all have left me a real difficult decision, y'kno-"
"Fourth for Will," Nico said.
"You're no fun."
••••
The shifts didn't end up mattering, because Percy stayed awake the entire night.
Annabeth was furious with him.
"—and you're stupid, for another thing! Gods, you know I love you, but this is crazy! You're gonna fall asleep halfway through the walk today! We were right here. We made a plan, Seaweed Brain!"
"Sorry," Percy offered.
Annabeth made a sound of pure exasperation and stormed off.
••••
The second day started with a bang and only got louder.
Annabeth was in a sour mood for the rest of the morning. She snapped at Nico when he refused food, told Will to stop checking the medical kit every five minutes, and she was just generally upset at Percy.