Chapter Text
Nico wakes up with the phantom feeling of the illness lingering in his lungs. With the memory of the dream fresh in his mind, his brain reminds him of countless other times he's been ridiculously sick. He coughs for a minute, becoming painfully aware that the rattling that once left him bedridden is now his normal after this last quest. After a couple puffs of his inhaler, he feels his chest relax as Will Solace sits up and puts on his CIs.
“Yanno, you shake the bed almost as much as my alarm does when you cough?”
“Sorry, I tried not to wake you. Did you sleep okay?”
“It's aight. I don't mind waking up to you, di Angelo. And yeah, it was good. No dreams. Did you sleep at all?”
It takes the son of Hades a minute to consider his options. Tell the truth and end up admitting I almost definitely know Will’s brother and have met his dad at least twice and have been healed by both of them but just couldn't remember? Lie and say nothing happened? Can Will feel past healers’ work like Apollo can?
“Yeah I did, I had a weird dream,” Nico responds, earning a raised eyebrow from Will.
Something about being here with him makes me want to tell him, “Memory I forgot about, not that bad though, from the September after the Labyrinth fell. I was living in a park in Chicago and got really sick after a nosoi attack. Some teens took me in, took care of me, and called their doctor friend who I'm pretty sure was your brother Aditya. He used his powers and I got a little bit better. Then, my father and your dad poofed into the room and kidnapped me to the Underworld to get better because they were freaked out when I coughed until I puked.”
Much to Nico's surprise, the blonde boy lets out a beautifully hearty laugh, “Let me get this straight. You ran into deadly plague spirits and survived, happened to meet the only other known living child of Apollo besides me with healing powers strong enough to work, and then scared the god of plagues and the god of the dead with a little barf? And you completely forgot about it until now?”
Nico laughs along, “Well when you put it like that… yeah.”
“That story's exactly what I needed to make today better. It’s always nice to hear about the gods being humbled a little. For a dude that's all about shadows, you sure do know how to brighten my day!” Will exclaims before his smile dissipates, “I suppose I need to be a real person now. Unfortunate.”
The two make their way out of the Apollo cabin towards the Mess Hall where lunch is being served. Will detours to talk to Kayla and they sign to each other for several minutes, when the interaction ends with a hug Nico assumes Will has apologized and they’ve made up. At that, Will sits down next to Nico at the Big Three Table, Percy and Jason waving and continuing their banter.
“Do either of you ever get sick?” Nico interrupts the two.
“No, not that I remember,” replies Jason.
“Like, normal sick? A few times a year, but that’s only ‘cause my lungs make it easier for me to catch stuff. It’d be more if my mom and stepdad weren’t so careful about it, prolly. Usually, my breathing just gets worse and I get a low-grade fever,” Percy answers, “Why?”
“I had a dream that was a memory of a time a couple years back when I caught the flu and it was pretty bad. It reminded me of a bunch of other times I got really sick. Was wondering if it was just me or not,” Nico explains.
Percy shakes his head, “Yeah no, never like that. Don’t get me wrong, my lungs give me problems all the time with smoke and weather and stuff, but I don’t get sick like that. Me getting sick is basically just a flare for me.”
“Not just, your flares are still pretty bad, Percy. But I was wondering that too, Nico. We usually don’t get sick from bugs, and if they do it’s super mild and goes away within a day or two. Serious illness only happens once or twice a lifetime— maybe . But from what I can tell, Nico, you’ve always gotten sick often and severely. It’s concerning to say the least,” Will thinks aloud, “It might be a good idea to talk to Chiron about it, only if you want to of course.”
“Sure, but I can also try to call your brother or dad. Both of them always answered me pretty fast before communications went down,” offers Nico.
“... You have an open line of communication with my father, the god Phoebus Apollo, and never bothered to mention it?” Will deadpans.
“You never asked?” Nico tries to defend himself.
Will throws his hands in the air, “Why in the world would I have asked?! That’s not something I assume people just have, we literally fought wars about how uninvolved they are!”
“Apollo just likes fixing me to keep my father happy in an effort to repay his sister's debt. And also he likes teasing me for always getting hurt or sick. Percy is basically best friends with Hermes!”
“What?!” Will and Jason exclaim, “Explain now.”
Percy shrugs, “Prophecy kid stuff, I was his closest tie to Luke in the end. He held out hope for him for a long time. Plus, George and Martha like me. I dunno why, though.”
“Anyways, want me to ask him to come by? I don't remember him ever doing a full scan of me, it might help you out,” Nico pivots the conversation back on topic.
Will agrees, still in shock of this news, and Nico walks over to the bronze brazier and gives an offering to Apollo. Hey, Nico here. Need some help with health stuff, I had a dream about what happened in Chicago. Not dying, at least I don’t think so. At that, Nico gets settled back at the table and finishes his lunch.
“All three of you owe me a checkup, by the way. Just because I disappeared for a week doesn't mean you get out of it,” Will jokes with the table, “But seriously, do y'all have time after lunch?”
The boys agree, knowing better than to test Will's patience with medical things. They finish up lunch and head to the infirmary. Wanting to continue their conversation, the three decide to do their checkups together, squishing into the singular private suite the infirmary has.
Jason's check up goes by quickly, having a more straightforward health situation that basically consists of pacing himself appropriately, with no major changes to routines. He mentions how helping Annabeth gave him a multi-day migraine last week. At that, Percy elbows the son of Jupiter and scolds him for playing it down previously. Will reminds him that cognitive strain is part of needing to pace himself.
Will then moves onto Percy, who seems a bit too familiar with the routine of the medic’s check up procedures. Will holds two fingers on Percy’s wrist scanning vitals, “Lungs?” Will asks.
“Worse than before the War but better than when I first got back and couldn’t breathe at all. I still get winded a lot, been coughing enough that Annabeth sleeps in her own cabin, and can’t skip any treatments without feeling like shit. But eh, expected with the Pit’s air combined with having to rely only on inhalers I happened to have in my pocket when Hera kidnapped me. Then the medbay only had enough stuff for absolute emergencies, so I had to ration everything. Leo tried to build me something for PEP, but it couldn’t do much. I get that it’s easy for people to forget I’m chronically ill, but it sucked to finally be back and then not have anything I needed. New routine’s been helping, though,” replies Percy.
“It definitely makes sense that your lungs have been strained, even though it sucks that it could've been prevented. I'll make sure to drill into people here about quest prep moving forward and to give you extras of everything. Getting your lungs to bounce back won’t be instant, but it sounds like the treatment plan is working. Also, Chiron said the fires will be charmed to be smokeless within the next week. Pain levels?”
“Back’s the same, hurts but manageable. My chest’s been hurting like a motherfucker, but I know that there’s nothing I can do about that really.”
“I can try talking to my dad about that again, maybe he’ll change his mind this time. I know he has non-addictive painkillers that actually work. Mental?”
“Fuckin’ abysmal. This last quest really messed me up. The PTSD’s been going wild and putting everything else into overdrive. Meds have been keeping the nightmares away, only wake up because of COPD-related interruptions. But I’m still getting panic attacks at least 4 or 5 times a week. It’s made me anxious as shit, like something’s always gonna be next, which makes me depressed as shit too. Support system here’s as fucked as I am and stuff with Annabeth is still weird. But, I’m coping as decently as I can. I’m getting out of my cabin, socializing, not missing any meals, all that good stuff for the brain.”
Nico looks at Percy with mutual understanding and offers him an awkward pat on the knee. It’s still strange to him to really see that the older boy struggles in such a similar way that he does. And to just openly admit all of that in such a casual tone? Percy wasn’t lying when he said that the two are more similar than either want to admit. Nico admires that Percy feels comfortable enough to say it how it is, maybe it’s the New Yorker bluntness in him.
Will sighs empathetically, “You know that I need to safety check you, right?”
Percy nods, “I don’t have it in me to care.”
“Have you engaged in self-injurious behaviors recently?”
“Nothing intentionally or outside of my normal ADHD recklessness. I’ve managed to stay clean. I’ve wanted to most days since the Pit, though.”
“Have you had suicidal thoughts over the past two months? If so, how frequently and do you have a plan?”
“Yes. It was occasional passive ideation, but it’s become more active and on a daily basis since I returned from Downstairs. No real plan or means, though.”
“Have you acted on these thoughts?”
Percy’s silence answers the question in itself. Nico is stunned that the son of Poseidon was in the same spot he was during the last quest. It logically makes sense. He’s been to Hell and back. Nico knows better than anybody else, except maybe Annabeth. Yet still, it’s another thing to have it laid out in front of him: they both tried to kill themselves on the quest.
“I let poison drown me on the quest knowing I could’ve stopped it,” Percy finally responds, “Jason saved my ass in my own father’s domain. It was pathetic and impulsive of me. But, I’m not at risk of acting on the thoughts again.”
“It's not pathetic to be suicidal and it doesn't make you a lesser demigod to struggle. Try to come here or press your call button if you relapse or you're feeling worse. We’re here for you,” Will replies, handing the son of Poseidon a booklet with handmade thread binding, “This is a Mad Mapping zine I found this year that I translated into Ancient Greek. You’re supposed to fill it out when you’re feeling good. It can be with friends, alone, writing, drawing, or whatever feels best. The point is that you have a toolkit for navigating when shit hits the fan. To get an idea of different ways you can address your different needs.”
“I don’t know if I ever actually feel good these days,” Percy confesses.
“That’s okay. Work on it the best you can, whenever you can manage. I can give you a new one if it feels wrong later on,” offers Will.
“Okay,” Percy agrees, fidgeting with his hands, “Can we move on now?”
“Of course. Any last questions?” Will asks.
“Not for me, but I think the Acapella that I was given might help Nico too? I think we have similar stuff going on and it was a game changer for me,” Percy recalls, “But that’s it, yeah. Sorry to kill the mood, guys.”
“Noted, and don’t worry about it. I asked the questions, anyways,” Will responds.
“Talking about stuff isn’t killing the mood. It takes a lot to open up. Plus, we care that you’re here,” says Jason, Nico nodding in agreement.
“I uh… I think that one of those booklets might be good for me too,” Nico nervously admits. Turning the attention to me is the least I can do for him right now.
“Of course! I was hoping you’d ask. It’s been a helpful tool for me, at least,” Will replies, “I guess we can start with a mental health check. Tell me about how you’ve been since we last talked. Any symptoms that have come up or reduced, how you’re feeling, things like that.”
“I’ve still been getting flashbacks and panic attacks, but less than before. No actual nightmares that I can remember as long as I take my meds. I think I’ve still been the normal amount of anxious? I think I’ve been depressed still but a little less? I don’t know. Sorry.” Nico tries to answer, fidgeting with his sleeves.
“No need to be sorry, I should have been more clear. Do you think more structured questions like I asked Percy would be better? And are you sure you’re okay with this check being in front of Percy and Jason?” Will asks, Nico nodding in agreement to both.
“Do you ever experience feeling like your hands or feet are tingly when you’re nervous? Or a sense of disconnect from the world? About how often if so?”
“Yes to both. Whenever I have panic attacks, like a few times a week?”
“Do you feel guilty, alone, or generally down more often than not?”
“I think yes to all?”
“Have you had thoughts of hurting yourself and have you acted on them?”
“Yes, and I think yes? I can’t tell how on purpose it is. Sometimes it just happens.”
“If you’ve had them, how often have you experienced suicidal thoughts in the past two months and do you have a plan to carry out these thoughts?”
“Most days, maybe everyday? No plan.”
“Have you acted on them in the past two months?”
“Maybe? It was on the quest. Transporting the statue. My father warned me that if I kept going it’d kill me, and I just… didn’t care if I died. And I kept going.”
“Last question, can you tell me about your support system?”
“I guess I have you? You've been really good to me, and I like spending time with you. Jason and Percy have been great obviously, I mean we're all here right now. Connor Stoll has been really nice, too. Hazel and Reyna, but they’re far away. My father has been trying more recently. But that’s it.”
“Thank you for being so vulnerable. I recommend sharing all of this with Mr. D since he’ll be your therapist. I can help you do that, if you’d like. I have no reason to think that you’re an imminent risk to yourself or others, so I think that just seeking out help when things get bad and working to find healthy coping mechanisms will be the best for now. Sounds good?” Will asks, concluding the mental health portion of the check up.
Nico nods, he’s beyond appreciative of how much care Will takes when dealing with him. It makes him even more attractive. Nico is about to open his mouth to respond when a flash of golden light fills the room and Apollo appears next to his son.
“Heard my favorite son of Hades needed some divine input?” the god quips, letting a small tinge of worry shine through his voice.
“Yeah, I had a dream about when I was sick there— I forgot about how bad it was until now. Woke up and realized how messed up my lungs are after Gaea because it feels like it did then and I’ve had a similar gross cough like that for months. Figured it’d make my father happy to get checked out,” Nico responds.
“Whoa! Hi Dad! I diagnosed Nico with chronic bronchitis and asthma. I’ve had him on the standard meds regimen, which has been working decently. But, I’m probably going to add in PEP therapy too, since his cough is still fairly uncontrolled,” Will pipes up, “Also, his joints frequently dislocate and he gets dizzy a lot. We’ve been managing it mostly with bracing and mobility aids.”
“Will! My favorite little healer— don’t tell Adi I said that. You’re always on top of it, kid. Good job. Did Nico tell you about Chicago?” Apollo asks, Will smiling at the praise.
“Vaguely. Nosoi, really sick, you and Hades panicking about it?” Will summarizes.
The immortal turns to Nico, “You seriously underplayed it that much?”
Nico shrugs, “Details didn’t matter.”
“I swear, the kid had one foot on Charon’s boat,” Apollo begins to recount, much to the horror of the other three demigods, “He had Influenza A that nosoi messed with and turned into pneumonia. His fever hovered around 103 for a week straight and he had some of the worst congestion I’ve seen. He basically couldn’t breathe, couldn’t keep anything down long enough for mortal medicine to work, and was barely conscious. He got marginally better after Adi did some healing and started keeping down food thanks to divine food. Was coughing himself sick for another week until Hades and I found him, still sick as a dog, and brought him to the Underworld. Took a week for him to stop puking, and another two weeks after that until the congestion and cough went away. And that’s after I did everything I could.”
“How the fuck are you alive?!” Percy exclaims, expressing what Jason and Will are definitely thinking. Nico shrugs and waves them off.
“I don’t know, and I’m the god of knowledge! Nosoi are no joke, my powers can barely touch their plagues. It’s more lessening symptoms than killing the germs,” Apollo responds.
“Anyways, Will and I were curious if you knew other demigods that got really sick like me? Chicago was worse than most other times, but I get knocked out for at least a couple weeks when I get sick. And I’ve been getting sick at least 5 or 6 times a year for as long as I can remember,” Nico explains.
“It’s rare, but it happens. It hasn't happened a lot because of the oath and how behind mortal medicine is. Usually, it occurs only when the most powerful of demigods have some kind of immune system issue that’s comorbid from a severe chronic health condition. And that's only sometimes. Like Percy doesn't catch stuff the way that you do really, even though he has pretty severe respiratory issues too. It has to do with needing balance on the godly side and being more vulnerable to illness due to mortal conditions, which sounds about right for you,” Apollo replies, “Ready for the scan? Lay down for me.”
The god hovers his hands above Nico’s body, slowly moving to each part of the boy’s body. He pauses every few seconds to take notes. Will and Jason look on in awe, the entire process being much slower than they’d expect such a divine power to be. Will is carefully studying his father’s movements, hoping to strengthen his own skills. After nearly thirty minutes, the god steps back and helps the son of Hades back to sitting position.
Apollo flips through his notepad and begins to monologue, “First, I’m affirming Will’s diagnoses of chronic bronchitis and asthma. Spot on as always, not to brag but he gets it from his dad. You have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting your connective tissue. Doctors are weird about it these days, but I’ve seen this in demigods for as long as humans have been around. The other main issue I saw was a form of dysautonomia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. I’ll supply some divine symptom management for the EDS and POTS, since mortal treatments are still behind, but Will has your lungs covered. They’re all chronic, but not terminal. But, I have a feeling I’m just giving you words for what you’ve felt for years.”
“Yeah, uh, you’re right. Most of my life I’ve been sick or in pain. It’s nice to know that it’s real and I’m not just being dramatic. It’s nice to have an answer, it’s just a lot,” Nico responds.
“That’s the thing my friend had, POTS! I knew it! I could basically be your son with how skilled I am, you know?” Percy jokes with Apollo before turning to Nico, “But Nico, I’m glad you have answers. I know it can feel overwhelming, Apollo did the same diagnosis overload thing to me when my dad made him give me a full scan too.”
“And we’ll keep working towards managing your symptoms, together. I was starting to suspect EDS and POTS from my research and from treating other campers, so I have some ideas. You’re not alone in this,” Will comforts the son of Hades.
“One more thing. It doesn’t have an exact mortal name yet, but I clearly felt something going on with your immune system. For now, we’re just saying you’re immunocompromised. It means you get sick a lot easier and a lot more severely than others. I’d advise staying up to date on vaccines and wearing a mask if you’re going into a crowded place or medical facility in the mortal world. You should be fine anywhere demigod or divine, since diseases work differently in our world,” adds Apollo.
“And I’m guessing you’re going to tell my father all of this?” Nico asks
“Pretty sure he already knows. He’s been trying to keep track of your health ever since the whole Chicago ordeal. Obviously there’s been some schism interruptions,” Apollo answers.
“Oh boy,” Nico dryly responds, knowing he’ll be getting a visit from his father soon.
“Well, I oughta get going. It’s always sunrise somewhere!” the immortal exclaims, “And Will? You’re doing such good work here. I’m proud of you. I give each of you kids your gifts with meaning. You just need to find them. Also check your bunk later, I have a few things to give you. Call on me sometime, love ya kiddo.”
With that, the god vanishes with another flash of light.
“...Am I the only one who hasn’t been personally attended to by Apollo?” Jason asks.
“Shut up Jason ‘Patron of Hera’ Grace,” Percy retorts.
“You know some of us are just demigods? And that’s it. We live our silly little lives, we don’t go on death defying quests, and then we die. No godly besties or patronage involved,” Will quips along.
“You just wish you had the lore we have,” Nico jokes.
“Yes, it’s definitely jealousy I have,” Will sarcastically replies, then pivoting his tone to a more sincere one, “Two more questions left, Nico. The breathing treatments, braces, mobility aids, and nighttime meds working okay? I’ll give you an Acapella too, use it in the morning after your inhaler and additionally as needed.”
“Yeah it’s all working,” Nico replies, “And sounds good.”
“No flare ups? Things like worsening of symptoms, new symptoms, starting to get sick, stuff like that.”
“I think everybody would know if that was happening. Evidently from your dad’s exposé of me, I physically lack the ability to be subtle when it comes to that stuff. Everybody will know when that happens,” Nico laughs, “And no questions. Can we be done now?”
The other two sons of the Big Three earnestly nod in agreement. As fine as this time has been, they still do all have ADHD and are rapidly getting antsy from being in the same place.
“Okay, okay. I get it. Let’s go get a treat,” Will grins, “Rumor has it that the Stolls are getting back with a hijacked ice cream truck any minute now.”