How Will Solace Became the Center of Nico's Universe

Nico took a deep breath to clear his head and try to steel himself for what was sure to be a difficult conversation.

He opened the door and Will fell into the cabin, literally, he fell. Luckily, he caught himself before he could faceplant.

The only thing Nico could think to say was, "Were you leaning on the door?"

"No! Yes! Maybe?" Will looked sheepish then his face lit up and he had obviously remembered why he came knocking on the Hades Cabin door. He scrutinized the son of Hades for a moment then noted, almost sadly or pitifully, "You look terrible. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he lied, suddenly insecure about how he looked. His hand rubbed his arm and he hung his head, almost hunching in on himself.

He thought Will could tell he was lying, he wasn't putting much effort in and they had known each other for months, so they knew the other's mannerisms well.

"I'll take that as a no, considering the grass around your cabin is dead and has only been spreading during the time you've been in here."

Nico could feel himself blushing in embarrassment. His stomach lurched when he studied Will more closely while trying to come up with a quick, believable lie. "I wasn't feeling well," he paused before continuing, "I'm still not."

"You're sick? Well, you should be thankful it was me who came to check up on you."

Will was a medic. How could Nico forget that? That lie was the most stupid one he had ever come up with.

Nico's face must have suddenly lost all his colour because Will rushed over and put his hand on the former's arm and the other on his head. "Are you feeling dizzy or light-headed?"

"I-uh-yeah." Nico internally panicked, he was dizzy and light-headed but not because he was sick, more likely, it was because of how Will was getting closer to him.

"You should sit down," Will stated firmly, leaving no room for Nico to object, and led him to his bed with a hand on the small of the Italian's back.

Nico shivered. "Are you cold?" Will demanded with distressed eyes.

"Not really."

The son of Apollo took that as an answer and they continued.

The next few minutes were spent with Will fussing over Nico with some medical supplies that he kept on him at all times for "special purposes" as he put it.

"I'm not a child," Nico snapped eventually.

There was a hurt look on Will's face but it was replaced with one of understanding so soon after that Nico almost thought he was imagining the first.

"I know, I just want to help, Nico."

"I-" he sighed, "I know, I'm sorry."

He knew they were going to have to talk at some point so, for now, he was fine with Will taking care of him.

When the silence stretched out a bit too long, Nico asked a dreaded question, "So... how have things been? How has Drew been?"

"Drew?" Will repeated questioningly.

"Yeah, you were talking with her at dinner... a while ago."

Will took a minute to respond and Nico started to worry, had he gone too far? "I mean, I guess. I haven't really talked to her that much."

"Oh."

Will seemed to have picked up on Nico's strangeness even more now and by the look in his eyes, Nico could tell he was going to try and cheer him up somehow.