The infirmary was quiet at last, the scent of herbs and antiseptic hanging heavy in the air. Will rubbed at his eyes with the heel of his palm, exhaustion pressing down on him like a weight. His hands trembled faintly as he stacked bandages back into their boxes, humming absently under his breath to keep himself awake.

He’d lost track of time—again. Hours and hours of tending cuts, mending bones, using his power until his skin felt too tight. The aches in his arms were dull, heavy, but he ignored them the way he ignored the rumbling in his stomach and the dryness of his throat. Just a little more, he told himself. Just clean up, then maybe sleep.

“Are you finished playing doctor yet?”

Will nearly dropped the stack of supplies at the voice. He spun around, startled, to find Nico leaning against the wall, arms crossed. His dark eyes narrowed, his expression sharp enough to cut.

“Nico—” Will started, trying for a smile, but Nico’s glare silenced him.

“You didn’t eat today.”

Will blinked. “I… did.”

Nico arched an eyebrow.

“…Breakfast,” Will admitted, sheepishly.

“That was twelve hours ago,” Nico shot back, his tone low and firm. He pushed off the wall and walked over, his boots soft against the infirmary floor. Standing in front of Will now, he looked smaller than the storm he carried in his eyes. “And you didn’t drink water either. You’re shaking.”

Will tried to brush it off, moving to turn back to the supplies, but Nico caught his wrist—gently, but with a grip that wouldn’t allow escape.

“No more excuses.”

Will sighed, shoulders sagging, the weight of the day catching up with him all at once. “I just… I couldn’t leave them, Nico. They needed me.”

Nico’s expression softened, though his frown stayed. “And now you need you. You can’t keep burning yourself out like this.”

The son of Apollo dropped his gaze, quiet for a moment. He felt Nico’s fingers slip down from his wrist to lace through his hand instead, grounding him.

“Come on,” Nico said, softer now, tugging him toward the door. “Food. Water. Bed. In that order. Or I’ll drag you there myself.”

Will laughed weakly, the sound more of a breath than anything. “You’d really carry me?”

Nico’s lips twitched, the ghost of a smile threatening. “Don’t test me.”

And with that, Will let himself be led out, finally allowing someone else to take care of him.