Nico stared at the infirmary.
He knew camp Half Blood had one but had never visited so he found it a bit… different.
Sure it had the blood-coppery kind of smell that every infirmary has but its structure. And the décor. He had expected to see white or probably peach colored walls but gold? Apollo sure is crazy. And his kids? Well, they have outdone him!
"You can occupy the bed on the far right corner." Will said, pointing to a spot by the window.
"Great." Nico muttered. "For how long do I have to- "
"Told you di Angelo," Will cut him. "Three whole days. I don't think you need any serious treatments. Just a couple of routine checkups, accurate, on time doses of ambrosia and the nectar and plenty of rest. And then you will be all good to go!"
"Can't I rest in my own cabin?"
A couple of campers were looking at Nico. Guess they weren't used to a kid of Hades, strolling into the infirmary and sipping nectar out of a funny shaped straw.
"Nuhuh. Won't do. I need to keep an eye on you. See to that you don't do anymore of your underworld-y activities again. You're under my supervision for the next three days, twenty four/seven."
That made Nico go all tingly. Three days. Seventy two hours.
Gulp.
"Come on, now. To the bed. I'll be with you in a couple of minutes."
Nico obeyed. No, don't you get any feelings, he told himself. Solace is just being friendly.
Which itself was a big question mark for Nico. Why would anyone want to be friends with him? Why on earth, stupid earth, would any sane person like to be in his company? Maybe Solace wasn't sane. There can't be any other explanation to his behavior.
But his rational side argued. Okay, this is it. You're not going to let history repeat itself, he told himself. You are going to be positive and are going to make actual efforts to be a normal teenager.
But how is it that going to be possible? He has got all the qualities that would most probably drive any sane away.
Child of Hades? Check.
Hangs out with ghosts and other creepy souls? Check.
Pretty much hates everyone? Check.
Let a person die while standing by the side, doing nothing? CHECK.
He is still not able to get over it. Allowing Octavian to pull the onager, maybe he could have done something. Talked him out of it. Stopped him. But maybe Hades was right. There are certain deaths that you can't prevent. But standing by, watching and doing nothing. It made Nico feel so helpless.
And he did make himself a silent promise that he wouldn't allow any cold blood murder of a demigod. Especially after the incident with Bryce Lawrence. He still feels guilty about it. And why shouldn't he? He voluntarily sent a demigod to the underworld. And that too by turning him into a ghost. Could he get worse?
The son of Hades twisted the silver skull ring that he wore around his finger.
But then what other choice did he have? A tiny voice spoke in his head. Lawrence would have destroyed his friends. He couldn't have let that happen, not when Coach Hedge was about to become a father. Not when Reyna had been such a supportive friend.
Friend.
There it is again.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Will shaking the bottle of liquid in front of him.
"Hey, you still with me, death boy?"
Nico's eyes flared up again.
"Ah, all right, my fault- I am sorry. Shouldn't call you that. Forgot you're super touchy and everything."
"I am not super touchy!"
"Hey, it's all right man," Will said coolly. "Here, drink this."
He handed him the bottle.
"It is a unicorn draught. We usually give nectar to the campers here but it seems to have only a mild effect on you. But the unicorn draught on the other hand- " he pulled a chair and sat next to Nico. "It seems to heal your wounds at a faster rate. Although it doesn't work that well on the other campers. Big mystery it is… "
Nico gulped down the liquid and it did make him feel better. It tasted like the fries that he usually got from McDonalds.
"… probably only works on children of Hades. Which is really weird because… " Will continued on with his chatter. The unicorn draught not only made Nico feel better it made him drowsier as well.
"Ah, yes. The unicorn draught does make a person feel sleepy." Will said when he saw Nico rubbing his eyes. "I saw to it that the concoction was a strong one. Stronger the dose, stronger the effect."
"Thank you." Nico said before he was afraid he would fall into a deep slumber. "For… everything."
Will smiled and they sat in silence for a while. Nico was looking out the window which overlooked the strawberry gardens. They were blooming and Nico thought they looked beautiful in light of the setting sun. He could feel his eyes droop.
"You know, it is not your fault, right?" Will said quietly after a couple of minutes.
"You couldn't have done anything to save Octavian." He continued. "He was hell bent on triggering the catapult thing-y- "
"Onager," Nico cut him in between.
"What?"
"It's called an onager." Nico replied.
"Yeah well, you still couldn't have stopped him. And I know you're beating yourself up over that. And I just want you to know that… well, I don't think you're a bad person for letting Octavian operate that… onager."
Nico continued staring outside the window. His brain was feeling fuzzy.
"Certain decisions, certain thoughts, certain mindsets cannot be changed. How much ever one may try. Trust me." Will continued. "And in this world, where things, destinies are controlled by the three Fates… well, you get my drift."
The son of Hades nodded.
"And I hope you realize that you do have friends here. Just because you like pushing people away doesn't mean everyone's the same. Not everyone is intimidated by the son of Hades. Heck, some of us are not even afraid of Hades." Will joked lightheartedly and the earth beneath rumbled.
He looked at Nico's face which was bathed in the orange light of the sunset. He looked so broken.
"Well, if you need anything just bring it to the attention to one of the younger campers here who will be taking turns to look after the patients." Will said getting up from his seat. "Now, get some rest. We have lots of work to do at the camp in the coming week, death boy." He grinned.
"I apologize again. Bad habit." Will held up his hands in defense.
"No, that's all right." Nico yawned.
"Really?" Will asked, incredulous.
"Yeah. Don't worry about it. What's a little teasing between friends, eh, Sunshine?" Nico asked as he closed his eyes and settled for the night.
Will laughed good-naturedly. Sunshine? Well, isn't that new.
"Nico?" Will asked after a couple of seconds, in a soft voice.
"Hmm?"
"I'm glad you decided against leaving Camp Half Blood."
And Will Solace left the infirmary.
Nico wasn't sure he heard it correctly but he did sleep with a small smile on his face.
A/N: Yes, I was supposed to wait till Friday to post it but I'm writing further chapters and I'm really trying to gauge whether you guys like it or not. So, review please! I know this chapter gets a bit cheesy what with Nico evaluating him and all. But I am trying to write is from Nico's POV. And as we all know the thing that Nico struggles with the most is his feelings and his inability to trust people easily. I can assure you a couple of these chapters are going to be feelsy.
And yes, I am working on Will/Nico. Laying the groundwork. Next chapter will be a bit different. About the next chapter. You want me to publish about Nico's three day stay at the infirmary or should I move on? I have a whole chapter devoted to it, ready in my folder but I am not sure. So again, review please! And in chapter four you will get a Nico/Percy moment. No, not a romantic one. I have yet to decide how much or how little I am going to portray Nico's first love in his life. That is all I am saying.
See you next week, demigods. Stay strong!
