Day 4: Thursday, 4th of December

The next day, Nico was sick.

He couldn't even muster the strength to really get up, just dragging himself into the bathroom when he really had to go, just to then go back to bed, hiding beneath his blanket.

He was feeling hot and cold, his head was pounding and his nose running.

Not to mention the cough he had developed in the past two hours ever since he had woken up at 5am.

He wouldn't be surprised if he was running a fever.

He held Mrs. O'Leary Jr. tightly pressed against his chest and wished the plushie could give him as much warmth as Percy and Jason had done yesterday.

Not to mention Will.

He groaned and turned around, just to look at his bedside table. On it laid a square red package with green bow on it, a small note on top.

He wished he could at least get himself together to check it out.

As it was, he only coughed as he tried to move and pulled the blanket higher, wondering how he deserved to be ill like this.

He had worn a sweater, the Camp Half-blood jacket AND his aviator's jacket.

The others hadn't worn as much as he had (especially not Will).

They had also taken him into the middle, warming him.

Why was he sick?

Then he wondered whether the others could be ill too.

There came a knock on the door.

It was 7am in the morning, why the hell did people wake up so early and came to visit him?

Not that he was complaining, really, he'd like some company right about now.

Sadly he wasn't sure whether he'd be able to haul himself to the door to open it.

He cleared his throat.

Eww, mucus.

"There's a key under the pot on the right side."

Damn, even his voice was horrible.

There was rustling outside and he heard the sound of somebody fumbling with the keyhole.

Great, at least he had been heard.

"Are you okay?" Percy asked, closing the door behind him and hurrying over.

"No. I feel like sh-…I'm fine." Nico muttered and stared up at the ceiling.

"Don't tell me you caught a cold."

Nico only shrugged.

Percy sighed and sat down at the side of his bed, tentatively putting his hand on Nico's forehead.

He immediately pulled it back.

"Dude, you're burning!" He said, shocked and looked down at Nico.

"Guess I do have a fever then…" Nico murmured and pulled his plushie closer.

Percy stared at him exasperated. "That's not funny. You are seriously hot."

Nico turned his head to him. "I'm a child of Hades, Percy. If anything, I'm cool."

Against his will, Percy had to chuckle.

Then he turned serious again.

"Should I get Will? Do you need anything?"

Nico coughed, then yawned.

"Other than cough medicine, something against the fever and some sleep, I think I'm good."

Percy facepalmed. "Nico~!"

Nico groaned and turned sideways. "Do you have to be so loud?" He complained, pulling the blanket over him.

Percy winced.

"Sorry…" He whispered and leaned over him, pulling the blanket down a bit and stroking some strands of hair out of his face.

"But seriously, should I get Will?"

"What for? It's not like I'm on my deathbed."

"But you're seriously burning, Nico. What if it's something serious?"

"Percy, I only got a cold."

When he looked around, Percy did his baby-seal-eyes-thing again.

How did Annabeth ever say no to this guy?

How could she have ever left him, anyways?

Nico sighed and looked away, his gaze stopping at the gift.

Percy seemed to notice. "You didn't open it yet?"

"Obviously not." Nico deadpanned.

Percy threw him his best 'Really?'-look and took the package with the note.

Nico's eyes followed him. "Want me to read it to you?" Percy offered, making Nico blink.

"Oh come on, don't look at me like that. I'll do it. For you, that is."

Nico felt his already flushed face burn.

Great.

He coughed again.

Percy cleared his throat and began reading out loud, which took a while due to his dyslexia.

[Dear Nico,

I love the way you laugh.

It is rare to see you show your emotions so freely, which makes it all the more special when you do.

I hope you liked the plushie.

When I first saw it, it reminded me so much of Mrs. O'Leary that I simply had to get it for you. I know you really like her, after all.

I wish I could cuddle up to you the way you cuddle up to that plushie.

But I don't think you'd approve of that, so all I can hope for is that you might give us a chance when I come out to you on the 25th.

I hope you like today's gift.

Have a nice 4th day of December, my Ghost King.

I love you,

Your secret Admirer

P.s.: Your blanket was at the end of the bed when I got here. I tucked you in and hope you won't catch a cold, but you might want to not sleep in your underwear anymore. Though the view was great ;) ]

Nico blushed and hid beneath the blanket, but Percy pulled it aside.

"Really?! Nico! Why aren't you wearing at least your pyjama pants? No wonder you caught a cold!"

Nico whined and curled into a ball, shocked at being exposed to the coldness in his cabin. Percy dropped the blanket back on him.

"Gods, you're unbelievable."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Percy chuckled.

"I love the smiley at the end. It's like 'Hey, you really shouldn't do that, but thanks for doing it, anyways.'." He said and held up the card.

Nico was still flustered. "I didn't do it for him. I just couldn't be bothered getting up to grab them."

Percy threw him a meaningful glance. "Of course not."

Nico blushed. "I don't even know who it is!" He exclaimed but then started coughing again, badly.

Percy leaned over, helping him into a sitting position and patting his back softly.

"Just joking, man. But seriously, I think I'm gonna get Will. Even if you're not on your deathbed, I bet he can still help you. Also, I don't like the way that cough sounds."

Nico rolled his eyes and leaned against Percy slightly.

Somehow, compared to his own body temperature, Percy seemed surprisingly cool.

He sighed and dropped his face onto Percy's shoulder.

"There's no need to get Will, let him sleep. I'll be fine again in no time."

Percy snorted and moved closer. "Yeah and I am a pink party pony from Mars."

Nico chuckled at the thought and tried to lift his head, but immediately dropped it back onto Percy's shoulder.

Everything swirled.

"I feel dizzy." He muttered quietly and Percy stroke his back slightly, which also felt pretty good.

"Told you, you aren't fine. Want me to get Will?"

"Nah."

"Nico. How hardheaded can you be?"

"Do you really want to find out?"

"Hey, I like this. When you're sick, you actually turn out to be quite sassy."

"Shush."

"Do you really want me to?"

"Yes."

"I don't believe it."

Nico tried to lift his head, but the dizziness came back so he only sighed and felt how Percy began pushing him back into the pillow.

"I'm going to get Solace now and nothing you say will stop me." He said determined and pulled back.

Nico found himself tugging on his shirt.

"Stay…please…" He muttered quietly.

Inwardly, he couldn't believe he had just said that.

But in his dazed state he must have talked without using his brain first.

Percy hesitated. "Why?" He asked, frowning.

Nico fidgeted. "I…because…" He began coughing again, turning away.

He felt Percy getting off the bed.

"Don't leave me alone…" He whispered, his voice barely audible.

Percy froze.

"Please…" Nico almost pleaded, turning his head to look at Percy.

He knew he must look pathetic. He felt pathetic, to say the least.

Percy stared at him quietly for a moment.

Nico shivered, suddenly feeling cold again, and he pulled the blanket up to his nose.

Percy sighed defeated and flopped back down on the bed.

"You are unbelievable, Nico." He muttered and before Nico could even think of a reply, Percy was beneath the blanket and had his arms wrapped around Nico.

"What…"

"Shush. You wanted me to stay, right?"

Nico blushed. "But…this…"

"If I'm already staying, I might as well make sure you aren't going to be cold. Do you have any idea how cold your cabin is?" Percy interrupted him and Nico could feel his arms tightly wrapped around him, pulling him back against Percy's warm chest. This was so much like yesterday, when they had cuddled.

His heart was thumping loudly in his chest. Then he felt Percy's face in his hair.

"You look pretty cool with a ponytail, but for cuddling, open hair is way better." He remarked and Nico was glad he couldn't see his face.

Seriously, this guy.

"Oh, I almost forgot…" Percy suddenly muttered and Nico felt him moving, pulling his arm out from beneath Nico and distancing himself slightly.

Nico moved his head slightly to see what he was doing. Next moment, Percy held out the red package with the green ribbon to him.

"Want to open it?"

Nico looked at it, then up at Percy.

Then he nodded and turned around, pushing down the urge to cough again.

As he pulled the ribbon off, he felt how soft the package was.

Clothes?

He opened it carefully.

"Aww, how considerate." Percy laughed and took the content out.

It was a scarf.

Nico blinked, looking at the gray scarf with black skulls on it.

Then he laughed.

Which didn't go well with neither his headache or his cough.

He winced, coughing and holding his head.

Percy chuckled at his dismay and patted his back, holding the scarf up to look at it.

"Actually, I kinda like it." He muttered.

Nico glared at him. "It's mine."

"Oh, so you like it?"

"Well, it certainly fits my style."

"But do you like it?"

Nico sighed and fidgeted.

"I…yes." He admitted and Percy grinned.

"Good, then it can be put to use immediately." And thus, he wrapped the scarf around Nico's neck, ignoring his protest.

Then, he wrapped his arms tightly around Nico and pulled him close, pressing Nico's face against his chest.

Nico blushed but let him do it, tentatively putting his arms around the taller boy.

Percy looked down and smiled at him reassuringly.

Somehow, Nico was reminded of how Jason would usually look at him like that.

It seemed that Percy also had that rare ability of calming him down when he really needed it.

It was…surprising.

Nico hid his face in Percy's chest, pushing down another oncoming cough and sighing.

Percy pulled him closer, stroking over his back gently.

"You really shouldn't be sleeping in your boxer shorts alone, though." Percy muttered into his hair.

Nico sighed. "I'm not. You're here with me after all."

Percy chuckled. "I really like that sass."

Nico snuggled against his chest. "I hate being sick."

"I bet. You actually show your emotions when you are."

"Oh, shush."

"Nah."

...

An hour later, Jason and Will appeared, as well.

Though initially surprised to find a disheveled Percy opening Nico's door with Nico still lying in bed (also still half naked), they understood quickly and went to aid Nico.

Which resulted in Will singing for him while the other two hurried off to get some breakfast for him.

"I'm fine." Nico repeated for the hundredth time.

But Will ignored him and began another song in Ancient Greek.

If Nico understood correctly, Will was pretty much singing to his father.

He did admit he was feeling a lot better already, though Will told him he wouldn't be miraculously healed or anything. It would just get rid of most of his headache and help getting rid of the cold, though Nico's body would have to do the rest itself.

Nico didn't mind.

In his opinion, he'd have been fine without Will as well.

It wasn't that he didn't like the worrying. He actually really appreciated that his friends cared about him.

He just found it unnecessary.

He only had a minor cold. Nothing to really worry about like that.

He listened to Will's singing.

He had a really nice voice.

Since he was a son of Apollo, that wasn't really a surprise, though.

Will grinned down at him.

"And from now on, no more showing off to mysterious admirers. It's obviously not healthy."

Nico scowled. "I wasn't!"

Will laughed, ruffling through his hair and touching the scarf tentatively.

"That's pretty good quality. At least it's not some synthetic rubbish. Somebody either got a lucky guess or really cares about you, Neeks."

Nico blushed and looked away.

"I got to admit, I'm jealous."

Nico blinked.

What?

"I mean, you squirm away when I get closer to you, but when Jason and Percy snuggle up to you, you promptly fall asleep."

Nico made a face. But before he could say anything, Will went on.

"And then, instead of getting me, a son of Apollo, a healer to boot, to help you when you're sick, you snuggle up to Percy – again." He complained, looking genuinely upset.

Nico bit his lip.

"It's not like that…" He muttered, but Will crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Then what is it like?"

"You…they don't try to…" He sat up, searching for words.

"We're back!" Jason announced as he opened the door, closely followed by Percy, who was carrying an overfilled napkin of food.

Will threw Nico a last rather hurt glance and then went to the others.

Nico sighed exasperated.

Percy looked over at him questioning for a moment, but Nico only rolled his eyes and flopped backwards down into his pillow again.

Will inspected the food.

"Well, I guess it will pass. No sweets for him though. Doctor's orders."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "You aren't even a doctor."

"I'm a healer. Same difference. Be happy I don't make him eat nothing but soup all day." He said pointedly and stomped out the door.

Nico groaned. "Will…"

Percy frowned. "Is it just me or does he seem pissed off? Did something happen?"

Nico pulled the pillow out from beneath him and pushed it onto his face.

Great.

Now Will was mad at him.

For squirming away when he kissed his forehead.

For falling asleep snuggled against Percy and Jason, instead of him.

For wanting to let him sleep rather than wake him for something stupid like a cold.

Blah.

Jason and Percy sat down at the side of his bed.

"What happened?" Percy asked.

"Is he upset because you didn't get him sooner?" Jason guessed.

Nico held a thumb up.

"Well, I did offer you to get him." Percy chided and Nico lifted the pillow to glare at him.

He held up his hands defensively.

Nico rolled his eyes.

"I know. But seriously, it's just a cold. I didn't want you to wake him for something so…trivial."

Percy and Jason exchanged a quick glance. "Nico, I think he would have actually really liked to be woken up for something so 'trivial', as you put it. He has been trying to get closer to you, you know? I know he's a bit pushy and all and he simply never knows when he's crossing the line, but all he wants is to be friends with you." Jason explained quietly.

Percy stared off into space, not nodding his approval but also not disagreeing.

Nico sighed.

"I suppose so…" He muttered and turned away from them, instinctively grabbing his

Mrs. O'Leary plushie and pulling it close.

"Don't worry, Neeks. He'll come back around in no time." Jason reassured him.

"I don't know…" Nico murmured.

"Why wouldn't he?"

"Well, he was pretty hurt about that cuddle-thing yesterday…" He told them quietly.

There was silence for a moment.

"Well, that's because he doesn't know when to stop. I was watching, you know. And he knows you squirm away when people get affectionate on you, so he was simply asking for it." Percy then said, shrugging.

Nico only sighed again.

"I have to agree with Percy on that. You can't just force yourself onto somebody and expect them to be okay with it when you know it's not okay."

Nico sighed again. "It's not like it's such a big deal, really. I simply shouldn't overreact all the time, then this wouldn't have happened in the first place." He said quietly and heard both his friends sighing exasperated.

"So, if I grabbed you and kissed you right now, saying that's what friends do nowadays and then cried about you being shocked, you'd just stop being shocked and go like 'Sure, everything is cool'?" Jason asked and Nico found himself blushing.

"I…what?"

"What Jason is trying to say is that in a friendship, people don't have to be okay with everything, Nico."

"Thanks, Percy."

"No problem, mate."

Nico peeked at the two of them from beneath his pillow.

"Bromance much?" He asked and both looked around at him, eyebrows raised.

"Told you he gets sassy when he's sick." Percy muttered.

Jason chuckled. "I know you did, but who would have thought?"

Nico blushed and hid beneath his pillow again.

"Aww, no need to get flustered now." Jason said and next moment, Nico felt both guys crawling onto the bed.

Before he could say anything, Percy had his pillow and Jason had his blanket.

"What the…no…" Nico wailed as both guys threw themselves onto him, tickling him.

He squirmed and tried to get away, but Percy held him and he couldn't help but laugh, though he still tried to get away.

"And I always thought you weren't ticklish." Percy chuckled and pulled him half onto his lap as Jason continued tickling him.

Nico started having tears in his eyes. "S-Stop, you…"

"Never." both replied and laughed at his dismay.

"You were supposed to give him food, not mishandle him." Came a sour voice from the door, and they looked around.

Will stood there, arms crossed in front of his chest.

Nico looked back to Jason and Percy.

Great.

This had to look really awesome to Will.

Nico, in Percy's arms, with Jason between his legs, his arms at his sides, tickling him.

Terrific.

He fought himself out of their grips and got up.

"We didn't mishandle him. We made him laugh. That's supposed to be good for one's health, right?" Percy asked, playing dumb and grinning.

"I do feel mishandled, though." Nico muttered pointedly and wanted to walk over to his closet.

He was stopped by a wave of dizziness washing over him, momentarily making him stagger.

It was Will who caught him.

"I bet you do. Stay in bed. Doctor's orders. And you two, out of his bed."

"Bossy." Percy muttered, but got out of the bed, anyways.

Jason only grinned and hopped off the bed, putting pillow and blanket back onto it.

"I'm fine, really." Nico murmured, but Will ignored him, pushing him back down onto the bed and wrapping the blanket around him.

"Jason, get him some clothes, please. Percy, pass the food."

"Yes, sir." Jason mocked him, but went to the closet nevertheless, still grinning broadly.

Percy rolled his eyes, but also grinned, passing him the overfilled napkin.

Nico only blinked. This reminded him way too much of his times helping out at the infirmary with Will.

Just that, this time, he seemed to be the patient.

Jason passed him the clothes and stepped back.

"We'll give you two some alone-time, alright?" He said and Nico's eyes widened, but Will only nodded.

"Okay. See you in a bit."

Nico looked towards Percy, but he only winked at him, and a moment later, they were gone.

Will sighed and passed Nico the clothes one by one.

"Will…I wanted to say I'm so-…" He started, putting them on.

"It's okay."

"But…"

"I overheard you talking, you know."

Nico made a face.

"Oh…you did…" He muttered and Will nodded.

"Yup. As soon as I left I was thinking 'Wait, this is stupid. He's a patient, I can't just run off like that', but when I wanted to open the door again, I heard you three talking."

Nico didn't know what to say.

"They are right, you know. I shouldn't have pushed myself onto you like that. I do know you like it, but I also know you can't handle it."

"Hey." Nico complained, but then he got a piece of dry toast stuffed into his mouth.

"Shush. You know I'm right. So, anyways, I shouldn't have been too surprised at your squirming. I AM still upset about you not coming to me for help, however. Even if it's something really, really stupid, I'd be glad to help, you know. You can seriously wake me whenever you want for whatever you want, even if it's just your foot falling asleep or you simply not wanting to be alone."

Nico still chewed on his piece of toast.

"I mean, we're friends, right? I want to be there for you, Neeks. And, seriously, you said you're over Percy."

Nico choked as he was about to swallow, resulting in a coughing fit.

Will patted him on the back quietly.

"I…what? What does that have to do with anything?" He asked, noticing himself how he had not exactly agreed nor disagreed with what Will had said.

Will raised an eyebrow.

"Apparently nothing." He then said shrugging and pushed another piece of toast into Nico's mouth.

Though Nico distinctly noticed how Will seemed to relax, and a moment later, the blonde even grinned at him.

Nico sulked. "I can eat alone, you know."

"I know you can. Doesn't mean I'll let you."

"Why not?"

"Let me take care of you, Neeks. Doctor's orders."

Nico scowled and crossed his arms in front of his chest, but still let Will do it.

It felt weird, being fussed over like this.

But not exactly bad weird.

...

The rest of the day, they spent hanging out at Nico's cabin again, mostly chatting and arguing.

By evening, Nico felt as if he was completely healthy again, though Will only laughed and said they'd see in the morning.

All in all, it had been pretty fun, though Percy was a tad upset when he realized they wouldn't go ice skating, after all.

Thus, Nico had promised him to definitely go ice skating with him as long as there was snow - which led to Jason and Will complaining that Nico didn't promise them anything, so he had to swear to both he would spend a day solely with each of them, which seemed to please them just fine.

He only hoped they didn't all choose the same day for their quality time with him.

In the end, there'd be another argument with him having to decide whom to spend the first day with.

At that thought, he rolled his eyes, picking at his dry toast.

Why was he only getting dry toast, anyways?

He looked to the others eating all this really nice stuff like fries, blue pizza (guess who had that), chicken and even the grapes Will was eating looked far better than Nico's dry toast.

He pouted.

Percy seemed to notice, since he held up his slice of pizza with a questioning look.

Nico glanced at Will, who was currently telling Jason about the Apollo chariot and how long it had taken for him to actually get it fixed.

He shrugged and Percy grinned, coming over and holding out the pizza to him.

"Are you sure this stuff is edible?" Nico whispered anxiously as he looked at the blue pizza.

It looked kind of…gross, really.

Percy grinned. "Just try it. It tastes really good."

Nico took a bite tentatively.

Surprisingly enough, it actually tasted quite good.

"Nico! I saw that!" Will called and glared at him.

Nico winced and grabbed the pizza, devouring it in two big bites before Will could do anything.

Percy stared at him surprised, then at his hand that had just held the pizza.

Then he laughed loudly.

"Gods, Nico, you're unbelievable!" Both Percy and Will exclaimed at the same time, though while Percy sounded impressed, Will sounded upset, scowling at him while shaking his head in disbelief.

Nico looked sheepishly at them both. "I was hungry. Dry toast is horrible. I dare either of you to live off that for one day."

"You had an apple for lunch." Will commented, but Nico shrugged.

"I still dare you to."

Jason only shook his head, smirking. "Want some of my fries?"

"Jason! Don't you dare!" Will threatened, but Nico had already perked up.

He liked fries.

"Nico. No." Will ordered and looked at Nico sternly, who let his shoulders sag and pushed his bottom lip out.

It had been a while since he had used his puppy face, and he wasn't sure whether he could even still pull it off, but he did know he used to be pretty good at it as a kid (well, more of a kid than he was now, he guessed).

Percy covered his mouth as he started snickering, and Will blinked.

"No." He said again, but Nico could feel his determination wavering.

Nico lowered his head slightly, looking up at Will ruefully.

"Aww, come on, just some fries…" Jason muttered, holding out his fries.

Will looked sideways at it.

Then looked back at Nico.

Nico gave a low, defeated sigh.

"Ugh, fine!" Will said, grabbing the food from Jason and pushing it towards Nico.

Percy practically exploded with laughter.

"Gods, Nico, you're the best!" He cheered, holding his stomach as he laughed, while Will looked rather sourly towards him.

Jason grinned broadly and gave him a thumbs-up.

Nico winked and grabbed his fries.

As he ate, he noticed Will looking over to him.

Their eyes met for a moment.

Then Will's lips quirked up.

Nico grinned.

At least he wasn't mad at him anymore.