Gazing at the interaction between Nico and Leon, a small smile graced Henry's lips. He could see great potential for a strong bond between the two. Nico was the only reason for Leon's most drastic reactions so far, which was saying something.
The boy from humble beginnings wished with all his heart that they could give the burly youth comfort and a safe space to rest from life's many burdens.
From the time he had spent alone with the stocky half-dwarf, the raven-haired youth discovered that beneath the redhead's muscular exterior, lay a fragile shell containing countless cracks, on the verge of breaking.
This world's cruelty had well and truly shown its mark.
So after witnessing Leon shedding some tears, a sense of relief bloomed inside Henry. He didn't know if it was just his imagination, but he swore he briefly saw the half-blood's shoulders become a little straighter.
He sighed. "How are you holding up, Nico?"
The brown-haired boy took a moment to stretch his body before answering. "I feel much better than when I first woke up. I still have quite a few bruises, though," Nico quickly continued seeing Leon become downcast again. "However, the healer said I should have healed enough to return to training tomorrow, so that's a positive!" He smiled brightly at his two companions.
He was very grateful that they visited him.
Nico inwardly sighed. Oh, how he missed the feeling of having others besides his family care for him. He hadn't felt it in a long while. Not since… the boy shook his head vigorously. He would not let his thoughts go down that road.
Henry's eyes narrowed. He felt as if Nico's happiness had dimmed for a moment. It was as if the mask surrounding him had cracked for a split-second.
Leon, who had perked up after hearing that Nico should be able to train the next day, sheepishly smiled. "Can we visit you after dinner, as well?" the half-blood asked with eyes brimming with hope.
He wanted to make it up to the brown-haired boy.
The redhead had long since abandoned the notion of being wary of Nico. That Nico took a beating for refusing to shun him proved that he only harboured good intentions.
"Sure, that'd be great!" Nico laughed heartily, only to wince a moment later clutching his stomach. It seemed his ribs hadn't fully healed yet.
Showing another bright smile, the brown-haired boy spent some more time with his room-mates before the healer arrived and kicked them out.
Nico chuckled after hearing Henry's voice from outside complain the healer was being too strict. The middle-aged woman in question didn't bat an eye and had her lips pressed in a thin line.
'Ohhhh.'
Nico's gaze soon converged on the individual standing behind the stubborn healer. The man's scar appeared in the pupils of the maroon-eyed youth. He now understood why the middle-aged woman seemed to be annoyed.
She must have thought that the constant flow of visitors would tire him out quickly. Which wasn't without merit, as Nico's eyes were on the verge of closing. He had to take a nap soon. The conversation with Henry and Leon had been energy intensive.
"See! I told you he needed rest." The healer crossed her arms as she frowned, inspecting Nico's current state from afar.
"Relax, Kendra. I'll be quick." William massaged his temple. Dealing with this woman always seemed to bring him an additional headache. Besides, it didn't help that she was as unyielding as ever.
The instructor walked up to his student. He had a cursory glance at the boy's injuries before sitting down on the seat beside the bed. A resigned sigh escaped his lips.
"Listen, kid. I've come here to notify you of two things. One directly involves you and your training. The other I thought you should know, since it also involves you in a way." the white-haired man paused, collecting his breath. A small breeze entered the through the window and ruffled a few strands of his hair.
Nico's heart stopped after hearing the word 'training'. He feared they would kick him out of the Camp. However irrational it seemed.
"First, I've delayed your Weapons Instructor, Phantom, from arriving until tomorrow to give you enough time to heal." The brown-haired boy's shoulders relaxed as he released a subtle sigh of relief.
"A little heads up on Phantom, he's an… extremely unique fellow." A subtle shiver spread through William's spine. "The second thing I have to inform you about is Lucas's punishment." William's eyes narrowed as he pressed his lips tightly together in annoyance. "I have limited his movement within the Camp. He will have to receive permission from me if he desires to go anywhere aside from his hut and the Cafeteria or lavatory."
'I can already imagine the headache I'm going to receive from dealing with that pompous brat.' the instructor gritted his teeth. As much as he deliberated over the issue in his mind, he couldn't come up with a workable solution. So, the man just limited the noble's movement.
Something which was bound to enrage the haughty aristocrat, he dryly thought.
Nico's eyes widened slightly. This was way more than he was expecting. If he was being honest, he thought Lucas would only receive a verbal warning and the matter would then be closed. Limiting the noble's movements was a much more drastic move.
Nico's lips curled up into a ghost of a smile. The only reason he wasn't celebrating wildly was that he realised Lucas' reaction to being put on house arrest would be less than pleasant.
The brown-haired boy shrugged the matter off to the back of his mind. It wasn't his problem to deal with.
Gazing at Willam, who had his jaw clenched in vexation, undoubtedly sharing the same thoughts as he did, Nico felt some sympathy for the domineering instructor. He did not want to be in his shoes.
After a minute or two more of small talk, the white-haired man bid his student goodbye and left to deal with other matters that were on his schedule. The healer promptly reminded Nico to get some rest.
The boy's eyes drooped as his head hit the pillow. Time passed.
Nico awoke a few hours later, feeling refreshed. He continued to meditate, only stopping when the healer forced him to eat and put some salve on his injuries. The day went by in a blur. Soon, Henry and Leon had returned to check up on their roommate.
They laughed, complained - particularly Henry, who still had some gripes with the middle-aged healer - and had a good time. Nico had a constant smile on his face.
The half-blood and young farmer had made his stay here in the infirmary less boring. For that, he felt thankful.
After a half hour of joking and messing about, the middle-aged woman reappeared and ruthlessly kicked his two companions out. Nico laughed heartily once again, seeing a vein pulse on Henry's forehead.
The raven-haired boy looked as if his eyes could spew fire with how hard he had glared at the healer.
Soon, silence returned to the infirmary. The brown-haired boy sighed ruminating over his instructor's words. He couldn't wait to train again.
'So what if my Weapons instructor is a little unique? Surely he can't be that eccentric, right? Right?'
Nico would soon come to regret he had ever thought those words.