The Infirmary

Nico's P.O.V.

Before they entered the dining pavilion, Nico shook Will off his arm and stepped away from both Will and Percy. He was completely fine.

Percy beckoned for Will and Nico to follow him. It seemed like everyone else had gone back to their table assignments, but when Nico looked over at the Poseidon table, he felt his chest warm.

Piper wrinkled her nose at Jason, as he was focused on his food. Annabeth was discussing something with Reyna, her hands enunciating her thoughts. Hazel and Frank were quietly talking to each other. The whole crew was there. Well. Almost there. Now that he was feeling well, Nico wondered if he should go visit his father.

Reyna stood up once she saw Nico, a small smile breaking her face. "Nico, you look so much better!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a quick hug. "I'm assuming you haven't done much shadow traveling recently?"

Nico grinned slightly. "Nope. Will's been sure of that." Will looked up and gave a little wave before quickly turning back to the conversation he'd started with Annabeth. Reyna lifted an eyebrow, giving Nico a questioning glance. Nico returned the look, confused on what exactly she was hinting at, only to feel his ears heat up when her eyes flitted between Will and him.

"No, stop it," Nico mouthed, shaking his head slightly.

Reyna simply responded with a small nod before she sat back down at her spot. Nico glanced around the table, wondering where he should sit. Percy had already taken his spot next to Annabeth, listening as she caught everyone up on the conversation. Well. He was for second before Nico noticed his eyes go out of focus, which meant he definitely was zoning out. Nico's gaze met clear blue eyes. Will's clear blue eyes.

Will's forehead was creased with a frown as he motioned Nico to sit next to him. Nico rolled his eyes, but sat down next to him anyways.

"So then we ended up - wait Nico sat down, let me start over," Annabeth hurriedly stated before pausing as she wondered where to start. Nico saw Percy's eyes come back into focus as he realized that he got another chance at paying attention to his girlfriend.

"Not to interrupt at all," Will began politely, "but before we start over could Nico and I get our food?"

Annabeth nodded quickly, still deep in thought. Percy grinned at her, taking her hand in his and setting it atop the table.

Nico followed Will over to where the food was, silently taking the plate Will handed him. Without thinking, Will started putting food on both of their plates. Nico found himself begin to grin slightly as the weight on his plate grew. Will stopped when he reached the grapes, his hand pausing. He turned around and smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, I got so used making your plate for you," Will apologized.

Nico smiled. "No it's okay."

"Okay cool," Will exclaimed, turning back around. "Do you like grapes?"

After sacrificing some of their food, they both sat back down at the table, where Annabeth had seemingly abandoned the hope of trying to retell her story and had continued. Just as Nico was about to take a bite of his food, he felt arms wrap around his shoulders. He froze, and was about to get whoever it was off of him, when he realized that they belonged to Hazel. Nico relaxed.

"Hey Hazel," Nico greeted. "What's up?"

Hazel pulled away, adjusting so that Nico could see her face. "I just wanted to see how you were doing. Frank and I just got into camp today.  I tried to get here sooner, but..." Hazel trailed off, and Nico could see the regret in her face.

"No no, it's okay," Nico tried to reassure her, holding out his hands in a 'wait' motion. "I'm much better now. I'm doing so much better." Hazel winced, looking into Nico's eyes, and he tried to show just how much better he was doing. "I promise. Thank you for coming over."

Hazel looked at him for a moment before a small smile lit up her face. "Of course, you're my brother, you know?"

Hazel ended up sitting down next to Nico as he finished his dinner, and Nico felt himself realizing how much he had missed her company. As he finished his dinner, however, he found himself growing increasingly tired. A warm hand touched his elbow. Nico turned to see Will looking at him with a mixture of concern and amusement.

"Did you wear yourself out?" Will asked, forehead creased. "You're still healing from everything, it's okay to be tired."

Nico nodded, letting out a yawn. "Yeah. But the campfires tonight, and Hazel is here..."

"Nico, go rest. We sleep in the same cabin, I'll see you more later," Hazel interjected. "Don't push yourself."

"Words of wisdom. That's what that was right there," Will agreed, standing up and offering a hand to Nico - who did not take it but appreciated the gesture. "Get some more rest and then you can participate in activities when you're completely well."

"Okay okay. I'm going to bed. See you later,  Hazel," Nico mumbled, giving her a hug. "Goodnight everyone." He waved to the rest of the table, his friends, and received a chorus of goodnights back. Walking back to his cabin, he felt Will run up next to him.

"Since Hazel's here, I'm going to sleep in the Apollo cabin tonight," Will started. "You seem like you're doing much better, and I know that she'll let me know if something happens." Nico nodded. "She cares about you a lot, you know?"

Nico paused. "Yeah I know. I care about her a lot too."

Will nodded, and they walked in silence to the Hades cabin.

"Alright. Be careful, go to bed. I'll check in on you tomorrow okay?" Will seemed to fidigt where he stood, and Nico wondered what he was nervous about. That question was quickly answered though, as Will's eyes snapped to meet his. "Are you sure you're feeling okay? I mean you seemed to do way better after you ate, so maybe you really did just need food? But you were doing so well and then you were on the ground and -"

"I'm doing okay," Nico cut Will off, seeing that this situation could end up with Will worrying himself ragged. Even though Nico had said this with upmost honesty, he worried himself. The whispers had come back - even if only for a second. It was like whatever had haunted him was back, and was taunting him. But for now, he tried to convince himself, he was fine.

"Okay. Okay that's good. If you need anything let me know. Or Hazel know. Just, let someone know okay?", Will rushed out, finishing the request with a weary smile. "I'll let you go to bed now, you look really tired. Goodnight Nico!"

"Goodnight Will," Nico laughed as he turned and entered his cabin. It was drearily dark, Nico realized yet again. And without Will there, it also seemed absolutely bone-numbing cold.