Sunshine

A Mystery Ailment

*Will*

I glance down at Nico when he moves, grimacing when he reaches up and brushes my hair out of my face, fingers grazing the still forming bruise on my cheekbone. He sits up in my lap, leaning against my chest and guiding my arms to wrap around his shoulders and stomach as he rests his face against my neck and shoulder.

"How do you feel?"

"I'm scared Will."

"Of what?"

I watch him thinking about it, tightening my arms around him when he starts shaking again. He shivers when I rest my head on his shoulder, pressing him against my chest.

"Calm down. You're safe. Was it flashbacks or something else?"

"Something else."

His voice is softer now, more hollow, and it worries me to see a more unsure side of Nico.

"But flashbacks too."

I sigh, pulling his head to my chest so he can hear the steady beating of my heart.

"What're you doing?"

He starts struggling to get away from me, nearly managing to slip out of my arms, but eventually giving in when I start talking again.

"Relax. Trust me, it'll help. Close your eyes, and focus on the sound of my heartbeat. Feel my voice through my chest as I speak."

I continue rambling, eventually letting go of Nico as he calms down and shifting him off of me and back onto the bed.

"Sit here, I wasn't able to grab you anything from the dining hall, Kayla called me back here before I was able to."

He nods, though I can see the tears threatening to spill out onto his cheeks as I begin to turn away.

"What's wrong?"

"I...I don't want to be left alone again. P...please W...Will don't...don't leave me...me here..."

I pause for a moment, feeling utterly lost when I realise he is honestly confused and scared.

"Do you want to come with me?"

"Yes."

His voice is soft, almost as if he is scared of being alone, but also afraid of being with someone at the same time.

"That's alright. How do you feel? On a scale of one to ten, one being no pain and ten representing excruciating pain, how are you feeling right now?"

He thinks for a moment, turning back to look up at me with fear in his eyes.

"Mentally or physically?"

"Both."

"Eight and five."

I flinch, not expecting an eight for anything.

"Eight...for what?"

"My...my head doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel right Will."

He looks down at his shoes, falling against me when I open my arms for him.

"You'll be okay. I promise. Why don't we head down and pick up some food for you, okay?"

He nods again, drawing in a shaky breath as we pull apart. I give him a few moments to recompose himself, eventually opening the door and leading him out across the lawn.

~~~

We end up back at the Hades cabin, not by my choice, but I decided to let Nico back to his cabin for the night so he can try to get some actual sleep tonight.

"Will?"

My attention is brought back to Nico, who is swaying unsteadily on his feet.

"I...it hurts."

He doubles over suddenly, clutching his hands to his head and screwing his eyes shut.

"Nico? What's wrong?"

I receive no response, but he suddenly collapses onto me. Someone knocks on the door as I am picking him up, coming in after a few seconds of silence.

"Nico? Are you in here?"

Hazel. The floorboards creak as she moves closer, flicking on the rest of the lights when she reaches the switch.

"Ni- oh...sorry...I ummm...I didn't..."

She blushes deeply, covering her face with her hands as she mumbles something too quietly for me to hear.

"You're fine, I was just walking him back."

"You what?"

Her face turns about fifty shades more crimson as she starts fanning herself with her hands.

"Not like that! He was in the infirmary, and I walked him to the dining hall, but I wanted to make sure he made it back okay...."

I trail off as I realise I'm not making matters any better, as clearly shown by a flustered Hazel.

"I'll ummm...I'll go?"

"No! Nico would want you to-"

She stops talking suddenly, watching me tuck Nico into his bunk.

"He'd want me to what?"

"Nothing, forget I said anything."

I stare at her for a few moments, eventually turning back to check Nico's temperature before I pull off his shoes and jacket.

"They probably need me down at the infirmary right now, it's about time for another shift."

Hazel nods, still watching me closely when I'm around her half-brother.

"Come get me if you need anything. And watch him when he gets up please, he wasn't doing too well before he passed out."

"I...I will."

She turns away as I walk out of the cabin, shutting the door softly behind me. No one bothers me after my rounds at the infirmary, allowing me to collapse in my bunk and drift off into a dreamless sleep