word count: 1330

For my darling Sam

"I'm fine!" Nico snaps, but it is very obvious he is anything but fine (except that he is, of course, fine in the sense of being attractive, but that is one hundred percent beside the point, and Will knows Nico might throw something at him if he makes that joke now). "You're being ridiculous!"

Will's eyes move over Nico's body, not in a suggestive way, but appraising him, doing a mental medical sweep. Nico's skin is flushed, and his forehead is beaded with droplets of sweat. Though he can speak, Will notices the difficulty in each word, the way Nico wheezes ever so slightly. A quick kiss to his boyfriend's forehead, and he confirms that Nico is burning up.

"Oh, yes, because when I'm fine, I definitely run a fever of 101," Will says dryly. "Are you going to cooperate with me, or do I need to call my dad and make him recite haikus at you until you comply?"

"You wouldn't dare…"

"Actually, I think Dad has taken up composing epics now," Will says, tapping his index finger against his chin, pretending to lose himself in thought.

He expects Nico to call his bluff and continue to be too stubborn for his own good. That's the way it always is. They never really fight, not the way most couples do, but when it comes to Nico's health, they have butt heads more times than Will can count. He doesn't know why Nico still does this. Hasn't he learned by now that Will always gets his way?

"Fine!" Nico throws his hands into the air in exasperation, and Will can see the way he winces, like such a simple movement is too much for his body. "Whatever."

Will beams and reaches out, ruffling his boyfriend's dark hair. Only then does he notice the strands are saturated with sweat and plastered against the back of his head. His smile falters. Deep down, he knows it isn't a big deal. People get sick all the time; that's why his dad is the god of healing too. But it's Nico, and Will will always worry about Nico in a way he doesn't worry about others. The thought of Nico suffering, even just a tiny bit, makes his heart feel like it might shatter into a thousand tiny pieces.

"First things first!" Will says, and he composes his features once again until it's a bright, sunshiney mask, because he knows Nico will worry about him if he looks even the slightest bit upset. "Let's get you out of those clothes."

Nico arches a brow, half-suggestive, half-inquiring. If he was feeling his usual self, he might have some teasing, snarky response.

"You're drenched with sweat, idiot," Will says affectionately. "I'll get you some pajamas, then straight into bed you go! Doctor's orders."

"You aren't a doctor."

"Yet," Will says, grinning. "But I will be. In the meantime, I'm the closest thing to a doctor you've got, so… Chop, chop!"

…

It only takes a day for Nico's condition to worsen. Will is just glad he could get his boyfriend to cooperate with him. The thought of Nico going out while sick and doing whatever it is he does when he isn't at Camp Half-Blood is enough to make his stomach knot. Things could have easily been so much worse. What if he'd found himself face-to-face with a monster, only to collapse from feverish exhaustion?

Will shakes his head, forcing the thought from his mind. Worrying won't do any good. All that matters is Nico is safe now, and he's getting the treatment he needs.

"I brought soup," Will says. "And some more orange juice."

Nico groans, struggling to sit up. "Don't you have some special medicine you can give me?" he asks. "I'm miserable."

"I can only do so much," Will tells him. "I'm a healer, not a miracle worker."

He wishes he could make it all go away so easily. It's tempting to call his dad and beg him to make Nico better, but he doesn't. Godly parents aren't there to grant wishes.

"Thanks." Nico lifts the bowl to his lips, sipping the broth. His eyes close for just a moment, and he takes a deep, ragged breath. "I hate being sick."

Will laughs. "I don't think anyone actually likes being sick," he points out.

But he knows it's more than that. All demigods tend to have trouble sitting still. Nico is the same, so restless and hardwired to keep moving. Being sick means having to stay in bed, and it can be maddening.

He stays until Nico finishes his soup and juice, then gives him something for fever and pain. "I'll check on you soon. Get some rest."

..

It only takes two days for Hazel to find him, annoyance in her eyes. Frank follows behind her, hands tucked into his pockets. He catches Will's gaze and offers him an apologetic smile.

"Were you just not going to tell me my brother was sick?" she demands.

"I… No." Will shakes his head, scrubbing his palm over the back of his neck. "I wasn't just trying to keep you in the dark, Hazel."

She purses her lips, brows raising, like she's trying to determine if he's telling the truth. Will knows better than to lie to her. Hazel can be scary when she's upset, and Will has learned to tread carefully. "Can I see him?"

"Not yet. He's contagious," Will answers.

"But you get to see him." There's no accusation in her words, just a sort of frustration mixed with hopelessness.

"Perks of being Apollo's son," Will says, shrugging. "It's a lot harder for me to get sick."

Hazel groans, slumping forward in defeat. Will knows she could easily stay there all day. He's never met Hades or Pluto properly, but he can only assume he must be a particularly obstinate god, as both of his children are so ridiculously stubborn.

"You'll let me know the second he's better?"

Will holds his hand up in a three-finger salute. "Scout's honor."

"Were you actually a Scout?" Frank asks curiously.

"Only briefly. I did excellent in first aid," Will says proudly, beaming.

Hazel snorts. "I mean it. As soon as he's okay," she says.

"I promise."

…

It's slow progress, but he can see the improvements with each day that passes. Little by little, his fever lessens until it breaks entirely and stays away. Nico's sickly pallor fades, and he starts to look more lively.

"See?" Nico says, sitting up with ease, a grin on his lips that says I told you so. "You worry too much. I told you I'm fine."

"Nico, you told me you were fine over a week ago," Will says patiently. "I think it's safe to say you were very much not fine."

"Oh." Nico clears his throat and tugs at the collar of his shirt. "Well, I'm fine now."

"I'll be the judge of that."

He can do an accurate examination fairly quickly; his years of practicing as a healer has made him skilled and swift. With Nico, however, he takes his time, doing the most thorough job possible, even checking for things he knows he doesn't have to worry about. Once he's certain everything is in order, he nods and steps back. "Clean bill of health," he says.

"I could have told you that," Nico says, rolling his eyes as he climbs out of bed. "Where are you going?"

"If I don't message Hazel immediately, she might actually kill me."

"Oh. Yeah, you should probably do that," Nico confirms.

Will chuckles. "As soon as I'm done, you and I are getting some quality alone time," he says.

"Can't wait."

Will knows he worries more than necessary, and that Nico had never been in any real danger. Still, it feels like a weight has been lifted, and he can breathe a little easier now. Nico is better, and Will will always do everything within his power to keep him that way.