Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Extract from blood of olympus all rights reserved to Rick Rayordon

Thank you for this wonderful book

"Jason," Nico said, "would you excuse me?"
"So where were you?" Will demanded. He was
wearing a green surgeon's shirt with jeans and flip-flops, which was probably not standard hospital protocol.

"What do mean?" Nico asked.

"I've been stuck in the infirmary for, like, two days. You don't come by. You don't offer to help."

"I... what? Why would you want a son of Hades in the same room with people you're trying to heal? Why would anyone want that?"

"You can't help out a friend? Maybe cut bandages? Bring me a soda or a snack? Or just a simple How's it going, Will? You don't think I
could stand to see a friendly face?"

"What... my face?" The words simply didn't make sense together: Friendly face. Nico di Angelo.

"You're so dense," Will noted. "I hope you got over that nonsense about leaving Camp Half-Blood."

"I-yeah. I did. I mean, I'm staying."

"Good. So you may be dense, but you're not an idiot."

"How can you even talk to me like that? Don't you! I can summon zombies and skeletons and-"

"Right now you couldn't summon a wishbone without melting into a puddle of darkness, di Angelo," Will said.

‘I told you, no more Underworldy stuff, doctor’s orders. You owe me at least three days of rest in the infermary. Starting now.’
Nico felt like a hundred skeletal butterflies were resurrecting in his stomach.
‘Three days? I – I suppose that would be okay.
‘Good. Now –’
A loud whoop! cut through the air.
Over by the hearth in the centre of the common, Percy was grinning at
something Annabeth had just told him. Annabeth laughed and playfully slapped his arm.
‘I’ll be right back,’ Nico told Will. ‘Promise on the Styx and everything.’
He walked over to Percy and Annabeth, who were both still grinning like crazy.
‘Hey, man,’ Percy said. ‘Annabeth just told me some good news. Sorry if I got a little loud.’
‘We’re going to spend our senior year together,’ Annabeth explained, ‘here in New York. And after graduation –’
‘College in New Rome!’ Percy pumped his fist like he was blowing a truck horn.

‘Four years with no monsters to fight, no battles, no stupid prophecies.

Just me and Annabeth, getting our degrees, hanging out at cafés, enjoying California‘
And after that …’ Annabeth kissed Percy on the cheek. ‘Well, Reyna and Frank said we could live in New Rome as long as we like.’
‘That’s great,’ Nico said. He was a little surprised to find that he meant it. ‘I’mstaying too, here at Camp Half-Blood.’
‘Awesome!’ Percy said.
Nico studied his face – his sea-green eyes, his grin, his ruffled black hair.
Somehow Percy Jackson seemed like a regular guy now, not a mythical figure.
Not someone to idolize or crush on.
‘So,’ Nico said, ‘since we’re going to be spending at least a year seeing each
other at camp, I think I should clear the air.’
Percy’s smile wavered. ‘What do you mean?’
‘For a long time,’ Nico said, ‘I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know.’
Percy looked at Nico. Then at Annabeth, as if to check that he’d heard
correctly. Then back at Nico. ‘You –’
‘Yeah,’ Nico said. ‘You’re a great person. But I’m over that. I’m happy for you guys.’
‘You … so you mean –’
‘Right.’
Annabeth’s grey eyes started to sparkle. She gave Nico a sideways smile.
‘Wait,’ Percy said. ‘So you mean –’
‘Right,’ Nico said again. ‘But it’s cool. We’re cool. I mean, I see now …
you’re cute, but you’re not my type.’
‘I’m not your type … Wait. So –’
‘See you around, Percy,’ Nico said. ‘Annabeth.’
She raised her hand for a high five.
Nico obliged. Then he walked back across the grass, to where Will Solace was waiting.

End of extract
All right reserved to uncle rick

Day 1

Nico obliged. Then he walked back across the grass, to where Will Solace was waiting.

his arms crossed and a big grin on his face.

"Come on Death-boy, let's go" he signalled Nico to follow him.

Nico obliged but not without a retort "Don't call me that"

"What ever you say" Will answerd with a wink.

"Sorry its not the Ritz but at least in this cot you get a window" Will turned to nico with a warm smile before drawing the curtain.

The infirmary room was small. Well not a room. A metal bed painted white and a surgical blue curtain that closed all around the bed.

"Okay Nico sit here I'll be right back" The blond boy patted the bed before stepping out humming a tune to himself.

Nico sat.

The bed was comfortable enough.

Better then the jar- he shushed the thought down immediately.

And with that Will was back.

"Miss me?" Will joked

Nico didnt reply a sudden exhaustion washed over the boy, making him wobble as he sat on the bed.
He didnt even realise that Will had his hand on his sholder holding him steady. Before he could react Will lifted his hand away and began checking Nicos arms for minor wounds.

Satisfied Will looked up.

"Now I know your going to hate me for asking but, your going to have to take your shirt off"

Nicos eyes sparked with panic.

"I know, I know, but at least let me lift your shirt where I can see blood stains" Will spoke with experience. Who knew that a camp full of Greek, demigod, teenagers wouldn't illiminate typical mortal hormonal struggles.
The doctor lifted the black shirt of the Ghost king up to reveal a set particularly bloody gash
stitched up messely by black thread, as if the DIY sticher was in a rush.

"Right" Will sighed deeply "that needs re-doing" He shook his head. "With your consent Im going to give you a slight anaesthetic, it will only make you drowsy for a few hours nothing more i promise" Wills voice was soft and smoth

"Umm sure" Nicos eyes were already closing. He hasent slept in safety for months. He was more then a little exhausted.

"Okay" Will spoke softly, sensing Nicos exhaustion "Hope your not afraid of needles..."

For the next few hours Nico swam in and out of consciousness- luckily untouched by demigod dreams. Flashes of memory's only remained when he eventually came to senses.

The boys waist was completely bandaged up, covering the previously narley wound. Will had fixed up a few other wounds as nico felt a tight bandages supporting his sholder and knee.

A neat pile of fresh clothes was folded neatly on a near by chair. He changed into them. An orange cabin 7 and a pair of soft shorts.

The room felt colder, darker even. A quick check outside confirmed that night was approaching and that apollo was driving his sports car across the sky bringing night.

The infirmary was more or less quite, only the genral hustle and bustle of moving people and hushed voices.

It was strangely comforting to Nico to feel so many people around him.

It kept his mind out of the jar.

SUDDENLY the curtains drew and Will walked in with a tray of food and a huge grin on his face. He literally lit up the room as he walked in.
"Evening Nico, hope your hungry" he gestured to the food. Two penutbutter and jam sandwiches and a cluster of grapes. Will ste down the tray and picked up a sandwich, wolfing it down immediately.

Nico looked at the food. His body knew he was hungry, but his mind rejected the idea.

Will noticed the boys hesitation "It's okay Nico you don't have to eat the whole thing, a little at a time is enough" Will didnt reach out to touch him, insted he scootered his chair closer to the bed and looked out the window. Silently offering comfort.

Chapter Text

Day 2

Nico didnt stay up late that night. Will had given him some ambrosia and a shot of nectar with mortal magnesium to help him relax.
His sleep was absent of any dreams. So in the morning he woke up with an extrem case of bed head and with an unexpected visitor.

"Jason how long have you been here?" Nico was suddenly wide awake on high alert. 'What in the Hades was someone doing here watching me sleep?'

"Morning to you too Nico, not long I just walked in"

Nico spotted a tray of food on a near by chair Jason had clearly brought in. "How are you feeling?" He asked with concern visibility crossing his face.

"Fine" Nico replied unconvincingly

Jason shrugged "Well okay, I brought you breakfast and this gift from Percy" he held out a small clear plastic bag with a handful of blue candy. Nico took the bag from him. An awkward silence fell between the two.

Nicos head spun, he felt dissy his eyes threatening to close in search or sleep. 'Oh gods I feel like ive been hit by a truck' he thought to himself. He moved his bandaged sholder about to get some blood flowing. His joints ached and creaked as he moved. Mild sparks of pain exploded up his arms and back into his legs.

"Well I best be going then" Jason stood up "I have to get back to my own camp today" Jason walked to the curtain but turnd around "Good bye Nico, stay safe" He smiled and began to walk out.

"See you later" he said as Jason walked out closing the curtain behind him. Something strange tugged on Nicos hart strings, something dark followed by hopelessness. He pushed it down, he didn't have the capacity to deal with what ever that was.

****

As Jason left he felt a slight pull on his hart, like something had grabbed him and was pulling him downward. 'Strange' he thought. He dismissed the thought, perhaps he'd revisit it later.

****

Nico ignored the food and turnd around instead. His window faced out showing the distant dining pavilion and the hills of strawberry fealds. He could see campers milling about their morning routines. He watched as the birds flew by and as Will sweeped the concrete slabs that surrounded the infermary. 'Wait will?' Nico imminently laid down.

Flashes of "a friendly face, help out a friend?" Filled him with warmth, he could see Will smiling in the memory of yesterdays conversation.

He sighed and looked at the food next to him. A brekfast brito with a small bowl of cut up fruit. 'Will would want me to eat'. He reached out for a small slice of apple and bit it in half. The apple was tastles on his tongue and as he chewed he felt no satisfaction. The crunch of it only irritating his mind. He swallowed and just looked up at the ceiling.

He must have fallen into a light sleep because he opend his eyes to the sight of Will bringing two trays of food in. The breakfast tray had been cleared away.

Nico scowled at the sight of more food. He just didnt feel like eating, he lost the feeling of hunger long ago.

"Hey shadows boy, sleep well?"

Nico groaned in response. "Dont call me that, I can raise the dead at any moment"

Will set down the tray and helped Nico prop himself up. "Yes, but right now the only thing you should rase is your arm so I can see if its healing properly"

Nico was stunned. This blond boy had some nerve. Nico lifted his arm as high as it would go. About sholder high.

"Ahh I see, Nico I'm afraid to tell you that... I'll have to sentences you to an arm sling" Will smirked slightly at his own joke.

Nico rolled his eye "How will I ever overcome this".

"Good you have a sence of humour" Will beamed like a ray of sunlight, his blond hair shimmering with gold contrasting with his brown freckles. And his soft kind voice- "You're staring sunshine" Will winked.

Nico shaped his head away. Damn what was that? Was i staring? He felt his cheeks flush crimson.

"Swing your legs round so I can look at your knee" Will orders, still talking with his kind voice.
Nico did.

Will moved nicos leg up and down checking how far he could lift his leg, wether he could push up against Wills hand. "Cool" Will smiled "your strong enough to go for a walk"

"Huh?" Nico stammered.

"Come on" will said "it will be healthy."

"Ugh Fine" He grunted

"But first" Will paused "eat something"

****

THEY SAT under the shade of an oak tree together, on a hill overlooking most of camp. The sun shon brightly in the afternoon sun, shimmering along the lake and baking the campers sparing on a near by feald. The fresh summer grass sweatly mixed with the aroma of of strawberries, gently flowing in the breeze.

Nico felt still. When was the last time the world felt so normal? What was normal to him? He had lived in Daedalus's Labyrinth with a manipulative dead kind, he willingly went down to tartarus and came back, he'd. He'd lived in the Lotis casino for 50 years... his family's faces filled his mind.
His sister and her determined face, his mother with her kind eyes, his nona and her always disapproving scowl. Nicos eyes welled with tears he started sobbing. Deep ugly sobs with hot tears running down his cheeks.

The stress of everything finally caught up with him, causing every forced down emotion to boil up to the serface.

Will imminently put his arm around Nico whispering to him "shh its okay Nico, your okay, its okay to let your feelings out" rubbing circles into his back he hugged the crying boy.

Nico shook his whole body with grief. Through his deep breaths he could smell Will. His lavender shampoo, the slight sent of surgical antiseptic. He felt his arms around him. Was warm touch comforted Nico.

He thought back to when his mother would cradle him in her arms when he was upset or sick. When she was working she would ask his Nona to watch over him on those days. She would take him to the park or church-

Nico shook will of as a deeply berried memory ripped its way through his mind.

He was 6 and his Nona had taken him down to her local cathedral. The memory was crystal clear as if it had been yesterday. Nico had asked his beloved Nona if kissing a boy would feel the same as kissing a girl. An innocent 6 year olds question... Nona has hit him with the spine of a bible till he was bruising black and blue all over for "this will teach you to ask foolish questions like that Nicholo" the same gilt came flooding back. He could feel the hard leather spine of the Bible crashing down on him as 6 year old Nico cried.

Older Nico broke down again.

"Nico its okay, I'm here" will spoke gently to him reaching out his hand.

"No...no" he just couldn't take it. Nico's whole body shook violently with resistance his mind spinning a million miles and hour. He tried to get up but his legs wouldn't carry him. Will tried his best to calm him down but Nico heard none of it.
Will reached out to touch Nicos arm.

Alarm bells immediately began to chime in Nicos head, reverberating around his skull, travailing down to bang against his ribs. 'No!' His mind screamed as his Nona yelled at him "DO NOT THINK IMPURE THOUGHT YOYNG MAN" As the bible landed blow after blow.
Nico ripped his arm out of Wills grasp. The world felt darker shadows smoked out blocking his vision burning his throat suffocating him.

He had two seconds to decide on where to go.
Cabin 13 or the infirmary.

His thoughts were incoherent, filled with mist swimming wildly clouding his processors. He felt a tug on his hart different from before. Warm and calm. He followed it.

He called apon the shadows and they swallowed him the same way they have done hundreds of times before.

***
Wills hart pounded like a wild harpy against his ribcage as Nico was faiding more and more by the second. Will could feel nico slipping away avery second more and more.

"Nico listen to me !"

No response

"You need to breathe" nico doesn't show any signs of acknowledgement "Nico look at me! ... please Nico!" He reached out his hand. Nico was cold. Colder then ice despite the visible sweat that poured down Nicos face and arms. Apon contact Nicos whole body reacted jerking violently to the side. Then contracting in on him self making him self small, covering his head with his hands, knees bent covering his face.

Suddenly the hill top didnt feel so sunny anymore. A dull gloom set itself around the two boys.

"Nico its okay, your safe!" Wills own voice was cracking under the stress of it all.

"Im here Nico breathe with me."

He could almost see through the small boy now.

The shadows rose up all around him. "NICO No !! its not safe for you to shad-"

His sentence was cut off as Nico fell backwards into the darkness leaving nothing behind.

***

HE SPUNN around and around before the shadows spat him back out. Nico landed on the floor with a loud thud. His head hit the floor. Pain spiked up his back to his neck. Nicos vision was buried and as he moved his head everything swam.

His legs refused to follow his command but he managed to push himself up with what little strength he had left in his arms, clawing his way up onto the gray, metal cot of the infirmary.

He passed out imminently.

Nico was kneeling on a frozen waiseland . Old ruins surrounded him. A large pail figure with long black hair with a arcus at his side. The figure loomed over him the sun catching his hair making him glow.

Cupid.

Nico grited his teeth. He hated this. The memory was still fresh in his mind. Jason was there, their to witness it all. To hear Nicos own feelings be ripped out of him.

But wait.

Nico looked around. Jason wasn't there. Looking closer the memory wasn't correct at all. The ruins weren't ruins they were elements of Camp Half-Blood, the stables, the dining pavilion, the forges. And why was it sunny? The day of the memory the wether had been miserable.

"Why am I here?" He yelled at Cupid

Cupid grind "Accept it"

What in the Hades was that suppose to mean?
"Accept what?" Nico asked

"Accept it"

"What do i accept !? Why am I here?"

"Accept it Nico!!" He raised his arcus and arrow notched at the ready.

Nico stepped back and reached for his sword but the ground opened up beneath him. Huge mounds of rock flew past him as he fell.

Down
Down
Down

"Accept it !!" Cupids voice eccode down bouncing off the walls hitting Nicos ears and painfully travailing through his body