The white, cotton sheets have always been itchy against his skin. No matter how many times he's asked them to change them, they never really seem to listen. It's the least that he deserves, if he's going to be stuck here for god knows how long before he's discharged, then he at least should be comfortable during his stay.

But ever since he's been left with the same itchy sheets and the same dull ward and the same bland food he's forced to eat for what feels like two eternities.

Nico kicks the itchy sheets off his body, and though the air is chilly against his bare legs that the hospital gown doesn't quite reach, he finds that it's much better this way. He does, however, slip out of bed towards the window that spills sunlight into the ward and shuts it and draws the curtains tightly closed — even if he knows he's not supposed to get out of bed, but at this point Nico really does think they exaggerate his condition way too much.

Still, it doesn't stop his heart from thundering when he hears the footsteps just beyond the door, approaching closer and closer, and without sparing a beat Nico leaps back into his cot and drags the itchy blankets over himself once more. Pretending to be sound asleep against his too soft pillow.

But then he realises that the person that comes through the door is just Will, and the smile blooms across his face.

"I hope you slept well," Will says as he approaches the bed, an adoring smile across his face too.

Nico shrugs despite his relief, "Can you tell them to change the sheets, please?"

It makes Will laugh at that, and he leans down to stroke his inky hair with soft reverence. "You know they never listen to me," he chuckles.

"That makes the two of us."

"It's okay, Neeks," Will reassures before pressing a kiss against his forehead, "You've got me."

And still, till this very day, that baffles him. How he really does have Will on his side. Will's always been there for him, every step of the way, being nothing but patient and kind and treating him like a normal human being. Nico finds that ever since he's landed himself in the hospital since the accident, people don't speak to him like they used to. It's more guarded, more babied, like he's no longer the same person they all knew. It was because of that Nico hated what was wrong with him — and he still does — because it's always the first thing people seem to notice about him.

Not Will though. Will never changed. He still looks at him the same as always, so full of love and care after Nico thought he became incapable of receiving it. Will would visit him everyday without fail, and sometimes they'll laugh, sometimes they'll kiss, and sometimes they'll cry and Will would hug Nico's head in his chest and say over watery words, "Oh, Nico, there's nothing wrong with you. You're perfect, okay? Nobody else understands."

It's so special, so so special that Nico tears up a little everytime he comes to think of it.

When the alarm clock blares from his hospital bedside they both jump. Then they both chuckle a little because it seems to be the case every morning. Still, Nico's not over the despair that comes paired with the hell-sent sound.

"7 o'clock, Neeks, I got to go," the blond says sadly before he stands from where he had been kneeling on the floor.

Nico knows it's going to happen but he'll still try to fight back, "Please stay, Will."

There's a sorrowful expression painted across his features, though his lips remain slightly quirked upwards in a distant smile. "You know I'm not supposed to be here, it'll only get you into trouble."

"I don't care, it's not like they can do anything other than tell me off a little."

Will's lips part in what would probably be retaliation before the ward door swings open and that same gods forsaken nurse lets herself in. Nico tenses.

"Good morning, Nico. How is your morning?" she says in that tone.

He doesn't try to hide his spite, "My sheets are too itchy."

The nurse frowns, "Oh no, that's a shame Nico. I'll get them changed for you when we can, okay?"

Will rolls his eyes from where he's leaning against the wall in the corner of the room and Nico smirks, they've been telling him the same promise ever since he got here.

"What are you smiling at, Nico?" She asks as she sets down the disgruntling breakfast tray on the bedside table. But immediately, Nico swears I'm underneath his breath, she can't know Will's there or they'll both get into trouble.

Nothing, Will mouths.

"Nothing," Nico repeats.

The nurse looks passive as she breathes out a sigh and turns to face the corner of the room. They've been caught.

"Have you been taking your medication, Nico?" she asks calmly, with that bittersweet voice that Nico wants to never near again.

"Yeah," he lies.

But then, she opens one of her drawers and he knows she's caught a glimpse at the still untouched tub of pills. With a sigh, she tilts out two into her palm and hands them to Nico. "Please take them, Nico," she says as she passed him a glass of water too.

Nico hates them, and he glimpses at Will, who's still hidden, that matches his same mournful expression.

"I don't want them."

"You have to take them, one way or another."

Another. Nico remembers when he took that route once. It hadn't been fun.

Then swallows them dry just to make an unsaid point to the nurse. She looks disapproving but it's satisfying enough.

When he looks over to the corner of the room, to catch Will laughing to himself at his stupid antics, he's no longer there. Nico frowns as he remembers.

"Stop taking Will away from me," Nico grumbles, a little woozy.

The nurse, however, says in the gentlest voice she can muster, "There's never been a Will, Nico."

AN:
Just had to get this AU out of my system

Lol soz