The Choosing (Percabeth AU)

12. Bob the Doc

The infirmary was nearly empty. Everybody was out in the gardens, having that water fight. But here was Nico, lying on the bed, with a broken toe. Just my luck, he thought

"Meow," called out a voice and Nico leaned over to see a little Calico cat in a ....skeleton costume? What was going on here?

"Cute, isn't she ?" Will Solace asked as he emerged from behind the curtain.

"I prefer dogs," Nico replied.

"Well that's too bad."

"Why aren't you out with the others ?" Nico questioned him, as Will picked up the cat and took a seat on a nearby chair.

No one ever usually waited for him, besides Hazel of course.

"Cause one I just got better from a cold, two, I'm more interested in medicine and three, I haven't seen you in 6 years."

Nico blushed. "Medicine ?" he asked, desperate to change the subject.

"Well yeah, I'm not gonna get the throne, and nor do I want it. I'm actually studying to be the Head of Medicine in my country. "

"Oh that's nice."

"Hello Friends" a voice drifted through the room as Bob the Doctor entered. Small Bob jumped off of Will's lap and happily went to her daddy.

"Now someone has a fractured toe.Ouchie." Bob said as he examined Nico's foot. "Do you know how to fix it ,William friend?"

"Yes, I do," Will beamed back.

Bob nodded and pointed to a table nearby filled with medical equipment that Nico didn't know anything about, then left muttering something about feeding and kibble.

Will walked up to the table, grabbing some stuff, and returned to Nico's foot.

Nico blushed as Will touched his foot, and quickly moved to hide his face behind his hands, acting as if he were in pain.

He watched as Will covered his toe with a cast, his tan hands gliding along his pale foot, both contrasting each other.

"All done," Will smiled as he got up and left to go wash his hands.

"Time to go yet?"Nico was desperate to leave.

"Yes. But let me tell you, you owe me."

"I know. And thank you." Not just for this, Nico thought.

Will smiled and extended his arm for Nico to take, who blushed as he grabbed Will's shoulder.

They walked out the door together, Nico's hand never leaving Will's shoulder.

They chatted like old friends, walking through the empty hallways of the Pallas, back to the garden.

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"Apollo's Haikus," Will muttered, taking in the scene at the garden.

All the Royals were frozen in place, and there was the camera crew, clicking at 100 pictures per second.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS BEHAVIOUR!! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEE!!! I WORK SO HARD TO KEEP THIS STUPID FAMILY TOGETHER FOR ALL OF YOU TO ACT LIKE THIS??? I AM ABSOLUTELY -'' Queen Hera's voice carried out through the garden.

"Ouch," Nico whispered, accidentally putting too much pressure on his fractured pinky.

Queen Hera and a slightly wet Queen Aphrodite turned towards the sound of his silent display of pain.

And within seconds the camera crew were snapping pictures of Will and Nico, holding hands.

"He's not allowed to be in such situations. Doctor's orders," Will quickly said as he dragged Nico away before Queen Hera could yell at them.

"That was a close one," he puffed once they were far enough,

"Oh yes it was," Nico agreed.

"AND I INVESTED IN MANNERS AND MY LIFE HAS COME TO THIS-" Hera's voice carried through the quiet corridors.

Nico and Will burst out laughing.

"Hades' underpants!! They're gonna be in trouble," Nico said as he recovered from their fits of laughter.

"Yeah, Queen Aphrodite is gonna throw a tantrum seeing their dresses!''

"She already must have started!''

They continued laughing like children at a circus until Nico realized.

"Hazel!!!"

"What?"

"Hazel is gonna be in trouble when father finds out!" Nico said suddenly turning serious."I can't let her get into trouble!" He said and attempted to walk. And failed.

"Okay okay calm down," Will said suddenly looking serious, his grip on Nico tightened as he directed them both towards a sofa and sat him down gently.

"If I get her for you, will you stop throwing a tantrum?'' Will asked

Nico nodded, with a slight blush on his cheek as he realized how close Will's face was to his.

Will nodded and left, returning almost 10 minutes later with a dripping wet Hazel.

"Hazel!" Nico beamed as he saw his sister.

"How's your foot? Are you okay?" she replied concerned

"I'm fine, now quickly go change and have a bath. I don't want you catching a cold."

Hazel opened her mouth to say something and apparently changed her mind about it as she ran to her room, leaving a trail of water droplets.

"How'd you do that?" Nico asked, turning his focus to Will.

"I may or may not have lied saying Hazel had a mandatory doctors check up, "Will replied smiling.

Nico smiled back, pating the spot on the sofa next to him. Will came down and sat and they started talking.

I wish it would always be like this Nico thought again, 6 years later.

Sorry for the short chapter! Both of us had a LOT of work to finish and we didn't give our all to this particular chapter.

But never fear! The next couple of chapters are gonna be very exciting.

Stay tuned!!!

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