Author's Note: Shout-out to ChrystalineCD. You are seriously an amazing supporter. All of the reviews were greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: With the exception of my own plots/OC's, etc.; Rick Riordan owns the rest (quotes, characters, etc.).

.: Can You Understand Me? :.

[Three Days in the Infirmary]

"Right now you couldn't summon a wishbone without melting into a puddle of darkness, di Angelo," Will said. "I told you, no more Underworldy stuff, doctor's orders. You owe me at least three days of rest in the infirmary. Starting now."

Nico felt like a hundred skeletal butterflies were resurrecting in his stomach. "Three days? I – I suppose that would be okay."

– The Blood of Olympus

Day 1

Other Fish in the Sea

The truth was, Nico really did like Percy. A lot. The silly infatuation never faded, but at least he tried to get over him, by listing the annoying qualities of Percy Jackson.

Yes, he was good-looking, but taken.

Yes, he was a hero, but so were other guys.

Yes, he had the greenest eyes, but there are plenty of people out there with the same colour. . .

Plus, there were many of other fish in the – Oh Gods. Not again.

Groaning softly, Nico walked back to Will, who was cocking his head.

"You seem frustrated."

Damn Solace and his ability to read people out. Nico composured himself. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Will shrugged, deciding to leave the subject at rest. At least for now. "Okay, let's find you a place to rest."

Nico eyed him quizzically. "Excuse me?"

"You have to stay at the infirmary for three days – I wasn't joking." Will smiled. "Have you ever been inside?"

Nico shook his head.

"Well, allow me to introduce you to the most wonderful experience."

The first of the three days Nico spent in the infirmary were going to be pure torture. It was a prediction, but most likely, considering how nothing seemed to go right in his way.

Don't flinch, stare, or talk.

These thoughts were going through Nico's mind, yet he failed miserably as Will directed him to the infirmary.

There was an area with beds, with a few demigods already in them, recuperating from the Gaea war or some that were there for quite some time. Accidents happened frequently, especially when you let teenagers have freedom with weapons. The Ares kids were most rambunctious in fighting, so you could only guess what amount of bloodshed they poured.

Will's siblings were scurrying around, as some waved at him and the brunet, or looked busy.

"Hey, Austin," Will called out to a good-looking boy who was tall and a red-head.

"Oh, hey, you're with Nico." Austin smiled at the Italian. "You helped save the world, right?"

"Y-Yeah," Nico stuttered. He wasn't used to people noticing him. "We all did," he added. "Greeks and Romans."

Will whispered to him, "I told you people want to be your friend."

"Cool. So, I guess you and Solace are gonna be real close, right?" Austin winked.

Nico took these words in, bewildered. What did that mean? Was Will like him?

Will turned slightly red. "Shut up, please, and continue working."

"Right." Austin laughed, giving Nico a knowing look, before going to his patient.

"I hate him sometimes," Will murmured.

"He's funny," Nico said, surprising him with the words.

"Funny?"

"I mean like in a – ah, never mind." Nico stopped. "So, uh, do I just sit in an empty bed?"

"Yeah, but we have a specific system. The worse it is, the farther you go down the hall."

"Hall?" Nico echoed, finally noticing there was a curtain hanging down in the far end of the room, which matched the entire infirmary décor colours: white and lime green.

"Yeah, and your wounds are pretty bad." Will pushed the curtain aside, as Nico quickly followed him to reveal another room, which looked exactly the same.

There were at least ten demigods who were in beds, most of them sleeping. A few looked over to Nico, staring at him.

"Okay," Nico murmured, not liking the attention. "I'll just sit . . . here." It was a vacated spot far from the other half-bloods.

Will chuckled. "Figured. So, di Angelo, I'll just check your pulse."

Nico slowly sat down. "Can I just say I don't normally do check-ups?"

"Are you afraid?" Will asked. It wasn't said nastily, but more in a curious, understanding voice.

"Well, it's been a while," Nico muttered. "Can you just not touch me?"

Will chuckled. "Nico, how else will I feel your pulse? Here, I'll just do it quickly." He held two fingers under Nico's chin.

Nico flinched, as if Will burned him, and shook his head. "Don't you use my wrist?"

"It's more efficient under your chin." Will lowered his eyes.

"I can do it myself."

"Fine." Will looked hurt. "I'm already finished, though. I'll leave you here for a couple of minutes. I just need to check on another patient." He went, glancing quickly back at Nico and then straight ahead.

. . .

It felt like an hour past by. In reality: five minutes.

Nico felt worried that maybe he was a little harsh, but Will could understand, right?

He doesn't know that much about me, Nico chided to himself.

The curtain opened, and the familiar blue-eyed boy returned.

Relief poured in the son of Hades' chest. Good. I didn't make him run away.

He decided to make a light conversation. Even though he liked to be alone, there was something about Will that made him want his company. "So, um, what's your favourite colour?"

Will laughed – it made Nico's insides melt in some sort of weird way. This frightened him greatly. It was a whole new experience, because even with Percy, it wasn't the familiar ache-y type, but more like a warm feeling.

"Actually, I never really thought about it. How about you?"

Originally, Nico would stick to some colour like grey or green, but at this moment. . . "Blue," he blurted out. "Sky blue."

A/N: Since The Hidden Oracle came out, the character Austin Lake is not at all similar to the one portrayed in this story. However, I am making him a red-head, and sixteen despite him in the book possibly being younger and having different colour hair.