[ in the infirmary, will hears the excuse of a cold and frowns. by this point in their relationship, he and nico have an understanding. insult to the mind plays differently than insult to tissue. its symptoms are different. its prognosis is different. as much as will wishes his skills were different, he cannot heal the effects of mental trauma like he can the physical. there is no bone to be set; no open wound to be sutured. the best he can do — the only thing he can do — is give nico time.
that is what he did the past two days as he took notice of nico sleeping less, withdrawing more. but pushing, as past experience had taught, was rarely helpful.
refusing to come out of his cabin and blaming it on a cold is a red flag will cannot ignore.
he gets someone to take over for him, then crosses the camp to the kitchen. laden with a picnic basket full of food, will knocks on the door to cabin thirteen, ] It's me, [ and lets himself in.
the sight that greets him is neither new or unexpected. letting the door shut behind him, will steps further into the cabin. he sets the basket on the floor. there are rules against campers staying in a cabin that isn't theirs, especially against staying in a closed cabin with a camper of a different godly parent. will ignores them. the rules don't apply in the event of a medical situation and this qualifies.
a heavy miasma of distress clings to nico like his shadow. will's fingers slide around nico's wrist, instinctively finding the other boy's pulse. the touch confirms what he already suspected by sight: insomnia; loss of appetite; and a deep-rooted anguish that is the cause of his somatic symptoms. the hand that cups nico's cheek is as much born from affection as concern. ]
no subject
that is what he did the past two days as he took notice of nico sleeping less, withdrawing more. but pushing, as past experience had taught, was rarely helpful.
refusing to come out of his cabin and blaming it on a cold is a red flag will cannot ignore.
he gets someone to take over for him, then crosses the camp to the kitchen. laden with a picnic basket full of food, will knocks on the door to cabin thirteen, ] It's me, [ and lets himself in.
the sight that greets him is neither new or unexpected. letting the door shut behind him, will steps further into the cabin. he sets the basket on the floor. there are rules against campers staying in a cabin that isn't theirs, especially against staying in a closed cabin with a camper of a different godly parent. will ignores them. the rules don't apply in the event of a medical situation and this qualifies.
a heavy miasma of distress clings to nico like his shadow. will's fingers slide around nico's wrist, instinctively finding the other boy's pulse. the touch confirms what he already suspected by sight: insomnia; loss of appetite; and a deep-rooted anguish that is the cause of his somatic symptoms. the hand that cups nico's cheek is as much born from affection as concern. ]
Hey. Look at me?