Nico isn't sure what to expect when they walk into the infirmary. Most of the kids who are still there appear more banged up than anything else. Since he isn't really hurt, he figures he'll just help Will while he takes care of the injured. When he is ordered into a bed, he gives the son of Apollo a look that says, I thought you were kidding.
"You need rest, and I'm going to make sure you get it," Will says as he tosses him a pillow.
Nico kicks off his shoes and climbs in while his doctor checks on a couple of other campers. By the time the son of Apollo makes his way back around, Nico has stretched out and has his hands behind his head.
"Comfy?" Will asks as he pulls up a chair.
"Yes, but I don't really need to refrain from everything, just Underworld-y stuff as you call it."
"I know, but you do look tired, and it gives me a chance to watch you...I mean keep an eye on you," Wlll says with an embarrassed flush across his face.
Nico smiles but decides to give his new friend a break by changing the subject. "So your dad..."
"I'm worried. Percy said Zeus was really angry with him. I mean, I know my dad has screwed up a few times, but this wasn't his fault."
"But Apollo is immortal," Nico reminds him, "What could his dad really do to him?"
"Well, when Dad sided with Hera and Poseidon against Zeus, he was forced work as a slave for a mortal. All he had to do was tend some cattle and help Poseidon build the wall around Troy, but when he killed the Cyclopes, after Asclepius was killed by the master bolt, he was originally sentence to Tartarus. If my grandmother, Leto, hadn't pleaded for his life, it would have happened. Instead, he was sentenced to more time as a slave. I just don't know if anybody can save him a third time, even Aunt Artemis." The despair on Will's face is more than Nico can stand. He regrets bringing the subject up, but Will seems to want to talk.
"Maybe I could talk to my Dad, get him to talk Zeus down," Nico suggests.
"Thanks, but Zeus and Hades aren't close enough for that. It might even make it worse," the son of Apollo replies. "All I can do right now is hope that Artemis can buy him some time."
"Have you ever wondered why your dad keeps getting into so much trouble?"
"I've considered it," Will answers, "I think it's because he never grew up. My dad keeps acting like a teenager and making stupid teenager mistakes."
"Still, it's not your dad's fault that the Fates decided Rachel should be the Oracle or that the Prophecy of Seven's time had come. I mean, the Romans had known of that prophecy for years," the son of Hades tells him. "It's not even Apollo's fault that Octavian was such idiot and determined to get power one way or another. He was being manipulated by Gaea."
"You and I both know that, but Zeus has to blame someone besides himself. He always does," Will says now visibly shaking a little at the thought of losing his dad. It's not like he ever sees the god, but still it's nice to know he's out there somewhere.
"I didn't mean to make you upset by bringing it up," Nico tells him. He hesitates at first, but then he reaches his hand out and takes hold of one of Will's hands in a show of support. Nico can't believe how warm it is. It's the exact opposite of his own. When Will squeezes it, Nico smiles.
"I'm afraid that something will happen to Dad, and we won't find out about it until he's gone forever," Will says choking back the sadness he feels.
Nico now sits up and actually hugs Will then he almost laughs at himself, because it's the second time he's hugged someone today.
