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Chapter 7:

Will wakes me up the next day for another healing session. Yesterday was devoted solely to healing and he promised that if we made good progress today he might let me leave this damned room.

In my free time, which I have a lot of, I dwell on things I haven't had to before. I think about my relationship with Will, feelings for Percy, and Annabeth's conversation yesterday. Leo has been worrying me for a while because if he's still alive, which he is, and why hasn't he come back? That takes up a lot of my mental dialogue.

I get out of bed and peck Will on the lips. "Good morning, sunshine," I tell him. I woke up in a good mood and I feel better.

"Someone's in a good mood today," he reaches for my hand and takes it in his. "If we get a lot of fixing done today, maybe you won't have to stay here tonight."

I smile, but one part of me likes staying here with Will alone. I never thought about it, but when I leave the room, people will see me differently now that I'm dating Will. Most of me doesn't care what people say, I've never cared what people say about me, but another, smaller part is worried about how people will take it.

"How are you feeling? It looks like you're doing great." He points to the bed and I know the drill; I lie down on the bed and take off my shirt. I squirm when he pokes my ribs. "You're gaining a little weight, too."

I wouldn't say I feel good; I'm a long way from good, but I'm on the right track. I've gotten so used to the pain that I've been carrying, that I'm used to it. Now that it's lessening, I feel like a huge burden is being lifted. But all i say to him is, "Better. I'm doing a lot better. It's just going to take time."

He nods knowingly. Without a word, he closes his eyes and presses his hands onto my stomach. I still shrink away from his touch, but I'm slowly getting used to it.

The rest of the day is devoted to just that, Will's constant Ancient Greek humming and fixing my insides. We take a few breaks for ambrosia and nectar so Will doesn't tire out. While he's healing, I either watch his soft face as he hums, or close my eyes and try to sleep. Either way, the day goes by slower than a snail.

At the end of the day, before dinner, Will lets me leave, finally. I put my black t-shirt on and aviator jacket and embrace him. "Thank you so much," I feel a tear forming on my eye and bury my face in his shoulders.

He hugs me back and cups his hand on my face. He brings my face to look at him and he notices me crying. He delicately wipes it away and gives me a sad smile. "I'm here for you, don't cry." He tilts my head up a little and brings his lips to mine. He kisses me so gently, just brushing our lips together. I press up into his lips, wanting more. He chuckles and presses back. We stay kissing for a while after, but the light's out iron interrupts us and we part ways.

"Good night, Angel Boy," he calls to me from his door. I walk into my cabin and crash instantly into the coffin beds.

The next day I wake up to the morning conch. My mind goes instantly to the morning cabin checkup. I get up and survey the room. It's fine for now, so I leave for breakfast. On the way, I see Piper and Annabeth together, and I walk over to them.

"Hi Nico," Piper says happily. "You look great. I'm glad Will's taking good care of you." She winks while she's saying the last part. Annabeth laughs at that, I give her a strained smile.

"Yeah, he's great," I'm about to say more, but Chiron calls everyone's attention and everyone looks at him.

"May I have everyone's attention?" He bangs his hoof on a rock. "I just want to announce and say a huge thank-you to Nico, who has just recovered from several days in the infirmary. He helped Reyna transport the Athena Parthenos all the way from Europe."

Everyone turns to me and I go beet-red. They start cheering, even Annabeth and Piper pat me on the back. "Good job, you did an impossible task," Annabeth says through the cheering. I turn to her and give her an awkward smile.

The cheering dies down and I have a relatively normal breakfast. Lots of people come up to me and thank me, and it felt weird to have some time alone. It feels weird because whenever I'm alone, I'm usually brooding on my emotions. Now, I just feel sort of empty, not really thinking about anything.

Except Will.

I look at him throughout the breakfast, making eye contact every once in a while and smiling when we do. Some of his Apollo siblings notice our eye contact and whisper to each other. I'm slightly worried that they're saying bad things, but I shrug it off.

After breakfast, Will comes up to me while I'm walking to the Arena. "Hey, so can you come to the infirmary during campfire tonight, and probably every night, just so we can check up and do some healing. I talked to Chiron and he said that we can skip campfire, so don't worry."

I nod and we walk toward the Arena. "So what's your plan for today? You can't overexert yourself."

"I know, doctor. I just really need to swing my sword and slash some things," we pass the cabins and keep going toward the Arena.

Before we get too far, something catches my eye. Off in the distance, above the shoreline, there's a huge flaming bronze dragon, trailed by a whole flock of screaming birds.

It takes me a moment to put two and two together, but when I do, I gasp.

"Oh my gods, it's Leo."