"You've got to be kidding me." Will grumbled as he walked across the ER towards his patient. The dark haired man sat on a bed with an ice pack against his face. The blonde man who came to pick him up last week was standing beside him with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. "Welcome back Mr. Di Angelo." Will greeted with a not so subtle look of disappointment. "What brings you back here?"

The dark haired man glared in response. "He got into it with a guy on the subway." The blonde, Jason, replied in a bitter tone. "May have re-cracked his rib."

"I said I was fine. Just a little tender." Nico mumbled. Will studied his face once the younger man removed the ice pack. The bruise under his eye had healed, but dark bags took its place. His lips were slightly swollen and there was a large red mark on his cheek. Dark eyes stared back at him, pupil and iris blending together making his eyes look dilated. His lips were pulled into a thin line and those deep bottomless orbs narrowed.

Will pulled his eyes away and cleared his throat, "Alright, let's check out your rib." Stepping closer Will rubbed his hands together to warm them before reaching forward, he hesitated before making contact when he saw the younger man stiffen. Jason looked on with worry, eyes darting from doctor to patient ready to step in if needed. Will gave Nico when he hoped was an encouraging smile, "Alright Nico, just hold still. It will only take a second." Nico nodded stiffly and closed his eyes; Will moved closer but stopped just as his fingers brushed the dark material of Nico's shirt. "You ready?" The doctor whispered, giving Nico the heads up. The young man nodded. Will ran his hands across Nico's ribs quickly and as gently as he could. The boy flinched and let out a small hiss but otherwise seemed alright. Will didn't let his hands linger, pulling away as soon as he had assessed the damage.

"It doesn't feel like it's cracked, probably just jarred it. Keep an eye out for bruising or swelling, also if it starts to hurt when you breath."

"Thanks. Can I go then?"

"No." Will sighed, "You never came by the clinic."

"I told you, I'm fine." Nico snapped back. Will noticed his friend stepped away a little.

"I'm the doctor, that's kind of my decision." Nico pushed Will gently and slid of the table. "Hey now, you can't leave until I sign the discharge papers." Will said with a smirk. He knew it was low, and probably dishonorable, but the young doctor didn't care. He was going to blackmail his patient.

"Then hurry up and sign them!"

"I'll tell you what. I'll sign them, let you run out of here, but you have to come by the clinic on Tuesday at 2pm. Otherwise, I'm booking you into a room for observation three days minimum. Promise?"

"I promise." The Italian said between gritted teeth.

"Uh, Doc? You know, not trying to tell you how to do your job... but you know he could just not show up." Jason said, running his hand nervously through his hair,

Will smiled, "Nah, I don't think young Nico is the kind of guy to break a promise. Are you? You'll be there, I know you will. You promised me."

Nico stared at him, his mouth slightly open. He nodded slowly, his eyes mixed with surprise and confusion. With a nod Will signed the discharge paper and let Nico leave the ER.

Nico lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. It was Tuesday afternoon, an hour before he was supposed to show up at that stupid clinic. He held the card the doctor had given him, turning it over and over in his hand. He wasn't going. He had decided as soon as the doctor had made him promise. Nico felt his stomach clench. The doctor had been right; Nico wasn't one to make promises lightly. It pissed him off that Doctor Will Freaking Solace had blackmailed him into making that promise, and even more so that the stupid doctor was so sure Nico would show up. The young Italian pushed himself off his bed and pulled the door open. Shrugging into his coat and pushing his foot into his combat boots.

"Stupid blond doctor. Thinks he can just bully people into doing whatever he wants them to. Fucking blue eyed jack ass." His ranting was cut off by a knock on the door. Nico pulled it open and saw Jason standing there with a smirk on his face.

"Wow, you're actually ready. I thought I'd have to pull you out kicking and screaming."

"Yea, well I'm not happy about this." Nico pulled the door closed behind him and locked the door, "Who does he think he is? Freaking blackmail, that's illegal. I should report him."

Jason laughed, "Come on Neeks, give the guy a break, he's just trying to do his job."

"Don't call me that." The smaller boy mumbled as he crawled into his friend's truck.

"Umm, hi, I'm here to see Wi...Umm, Dr. Solace."

The secretary looked up with a warm smile, "You must be Nico. Will said you'd be coming by to see us."

Nico frowned, "Of course he did."

"We just need you to fill out some of this paperwork. This one is just your personal information, and this is some medical history. And this is just a permission form for him to get your medical files from the hospital. Have a seat and the doctor should be with you in a moment."

"Thanks." He mumbled taking the papers and sitting down next to Jason. "You don't have to stay here."

"I have nothing better to do." The blond stretched his legs out and crossed his ankles. "Besides, I'd just have to come back and pick you up."

"I could take the subway."

"Yea, right. You know how much I hate letting you wonder around alone. You're a trouble magnet Neeks."

"Don't call me that!" The younger boy snapped, much harsher then his usual gentle rebuttal. "I'm not helpless. And you're not my boyfriend; I don't need you to take care of me!"

Nico saw the hurt flash over his friends face and instantly felt bad. "Fine." Jason stood up quickly, "Call me if you need a ride."

Nico grabbed his friend's wrist, "Jay, wait, I'm sorry..."

"It's okay Nico, really." The older boy said softly, gently brushing his lips against his friend's forehead before giving him a gentle smile. "I mean it, call me later." Nico nodded and watched the tall blonde walk out the door leaving him behind.

With a heavy sigh the thin boy slid back into his seat. Jason was his oldest and closest friend, Nico loved him like a brother, but he hated the way the older boy hovered about like a mother hen. Sometimes he got a little over protective, hell, most of the time he was over protective. It made the younger boy feel claustrophobic. But he knew Jason's heart was in the right place.

"Nico," A warm, smooth voice drew his attention. Nico felt his heart stutter when he looked up at the doctor. His smile was bright and his clear blue eyes sparkled. "I knew you'd come." Will waved him forward and the younger man followed him into the small room. The doctor was wearing worn, fitted jeans that hugged his hips and showed off his tight bottom and a pumpkin orange scrub top that made his eyes pop. Nico kept his eyes glued to the floor when he slipped past the older man, his scent clouding Nico's head.

"You're not going to try and make me wear one of those stupid gowns, are you?"

Will laughed deep and loud, "Oh no, don't think that would be necessary. Just hop up on the table and we'll get started."

"You weren't surprised to see me." Nico stated.

"Of course," Will blinked up at him in confusion, "you promised."

"And you just trusted that I would keep me word? Jason was surprised."

"How can I expect you to trust me, if I don't show you the same trust?"

"You...want me to trust you?"

"Of course, I'm your doctor; I'm here to take care of you." Will laughed softly, "Come on now, let's get started."

Nico nodded and pushed onto the exam table.