Summary: "Nico has been spending his pre-heats by himself," the daughter of Apollo started. "It's probably why his pre-heats got thrown off its regular cycle. He needs to be cared for, properly." (In which The Seven takes care of Nico and Nico realizes how beloved he is).
Author's Notes: Pre-heats = precursor to the actual heats. They're mini heats that tell Omegas to seek physical affection, but not sexual pleasure. Anyone who has pre-heats mean that their sexual reproductive organs are still developing. Pre-heats usually stop at the age of 17 or 18 to give way to the actual heats.
Blood pack = family or relatives. Basically the people who you share your blood with.
Bond pack = a pack formed from deep friendships or relationships. E.g. The Seven.
Anyone could have a blood pack and bond pack at the same time. But you could only have one of each. That doesn't stop people from forming friendships with different pack members though.
Nico felt extremely hot, grimy, and embarrassed as he sat on one of the infirmary beds.
It wasn't particularly warm or humid day, since Camp Half Blood's magic always set the temperature at just the right level. But magic made no wonders for Nico today. He woke up feeling incredibly uncomfortable about everything, from his jacket feeling too heavy on his shoulders to the way his socks scratch against his toes. He was about to go to the pavilion for breakfast when Jason swooped down, wrapped one of his hoodies around Nico, and pulled the son of Hades into the infirmary.
One sniff from him and Kayla Knowles made her diagnosis: irregular pre-heats.
While Nico may not be familiar with his biology as he should, the son of Hades knows that irregular pre-heats are bad news. Nico hasn't got the actual heats yet – thank the gods – since he's too young, but pre-heats were still inconvenient and should be spent with a pack member or his mate. But ever since Will…
Kayla interrupted his thoughts, saying. "You have some visitors." She slid the curtain to give way to the Jason, who has Percy and Annabeth in tow. They had masks over their noses as a precautionary measure.
"Hey," Jason started. "How are you feeling?"
"Pretty okay, I guess." Nico replied. He still felt a bit hot and was probably emitting faint, pre-heat pheromones. But otherwise, he wasn't uncomfortable anymore. "Kayla gave me some medications, but she asked me to stay here for a while until I get…cooled down."
Annabeth removed her mask and smiled in relief. "You gave us quite a scare there, Nico. We thought that you were – "In heat, she wanted to say. Nico almost blanched at the thought. "Anyway, I'm happy that you're fine now."
Nico nodded and muttered a short 'Thanks.' While he had come in terms with Annabeth and Percy last year, he still felt awkward talking to them. So many things had happened between them that functioning in a normal friendship was a back and forth struggle between small talks and unintended reminders of the past. But Nico liked to believe that they were almost at the middle ground, and so probably did Annabeth and Percy.
They talked for a while before Kayla came back, asking the three older demigods for a moment of their time. She looked serious, as she always did when working in the infirmary, but Nico's pre-heat made him jumpy and sensitive to reactions. Jason, who sat closest to the bed, reached out to touch Nico's fingertips. He reveled at the physical contact from his best friend and felt his anxiety drain away from the touch.
"Nico has been spending his pre-heats by himself," the daughter of Apollo started. "It's probably why his pre-heats got thrown off its regular cycle. He needs to be cared for, properly." Nico realized the implication and squirmed in his seat. Jason moved his hand forward and covered Nico's hand in comfort. If Annabeth or Kayla noticed, they didn't say anything.
"Oh," Percy croaked, suddenly sounding like he has a dry throat. His cheeks were tinted pink. "Annabeth and I are in a relationship. I don't think…if he gets kn – "
Nico gaped. "What?! No! I-I don't mean that! I just…"
Annabeth put a hand on her chin and looked at Nico inquisitively. "You mean he needs physical affection, is that it?"
Kayla nodded. "Omegas aren't supposed to spend their heat alone." Even though the daughter of Apollo had been stating facts, Nico couldn't help but keep his head down to the ground. He didn't want them to see him like this. The situation was embarrassing enough as it is. He wished Hazel was here; she was family, the blood pack, someone to share the pre-heats with. But she was in Camp Jupiter, miles away from Camp Half Blood, working diligently as the Centurion of the 5th Cohort.
He heard Kayla speak again. "You're closest to Nico's pack, aren't you? Surely you could help him."
Then, Jason said. "Well if you put it like that, then I…"
"We'll gladly take care of Nico - all of us," Annabeth interjected. There was an air of finality in the way she said those words, diffusing any objections that would arise from the conversation. When Nico raised his head, he met Annabeth's determined grey eyes. "You can count on us." She was claiming him.
Nico breathed her scent, hot milk, olive trees, and all things soft. He turned to Percy, the salt of the sea, citrus, and a lost childhood dream. And finally to Jason, rain and ozone, warm spring breezes, and new beginnings. They weren't Bianca or Hazel or even Will (Will…), but they want to claim him as a member of their bond pack. The pack of the Seven.
"Okay," he answered. He felt Jason's fingers slot in between his fingers as the scent of sunshowers enveloped his senses "I trust you."
