So, a few things first. Things are kinda sexual in this chapter, but it's not graphic at all, so I'm going to keep the rating at T for now, but I haven't any idea if it's going to get bumped up. Another thing, has anyone seen the Sea of Monsters movie? I'm so upset. I won't spoil it for anyone but I don't think it's worth 6 bucks (American) to go see it. Argh.

Enjoy the long awaited sequel though.

Chapter 1

When in Rome

Nico woke to the smell of lilac.

He was confused for a moment, muscles quickly tightening to be ready to fight the intruder, but quickly memories overcame the tug of Morpheus, and the son of Hades realized it was Hermione that smelled of lilac.

Ah, Hermione Granger of the Golden Trio. She was far away from home, in his bed, in his wonderful Roma. Much better than her London, or Surrey to be exact, where evil lurked in pub alleys and the whole city smelled of damp. He was very happy to be back in his homeland where if evil did lurk, it had the decency to smell better and speak Italian.

He ran a hand through the deep brown curls, long nimble fingers getting tangled within the knots and snarls. The brunette witch sighed in her sleep and curled closer to him, a hand, which Nico had not noticed until that moment, strengthening its hold on his bicep.

Initially, it hadn't meant for her to end up in his bed quite so soon, (not that he was complaining or anything) but it had been a very long night, and the thing that the to two of them needed the most was to actually do what they had been supposed to have done that night, have a bit of fun.

Now that he thought about it, they never did have that cup of coffee. They had been rather preoccupied when they first arrived with trying to actually get to the bedroom. He was proud of the both of them that they had made it.

Nico let himself relax back into the sheets, pulling the duvet a little tighter around them. Hermione shifted once more, her head of curls resting on his chest. The demigod smiled to himself, he needed this, gods knew he needed this.

It was about five more minutes before Hermione stirred, sleepy brown eyes opening to look up at Nico's face. Blinking a few times to clear Morpheus from her mind, Hermione returned the small smile that had still not left Nico's face.

"Mmm, good morning. What time is it?" She asked. She yawned and stretched before settling back down next to him.

Turning his head enough to look at the clock on the bedside table, Nico said, "Quarter till eleven."

"Oh, we slept in," Hermione said. Nico turned back to her and smirked, "I don't know what you do in England, cara, but this is Italy, and we're up early."

She laughed her laugh, and holy Zeus, he fell in love with her just a bit more, "I love Italy already." He joined her with her jest, "I must be a very good host then, considering all you've seen is my bedroom."

"Don't forget, I saw a lovely thirty seconds worth of your parlor, too."

He chuckled again and sat up, the duvet pooling at his hips, revealing a toned chest and stomach peppered with love bites. I've not only caught myself a witch, he thought, I have also caught myself a vixen.

He caught her staring, "Like what you see, passerotta?" It was her turn to smirk, and she pulled him down and kissed him. Nico enjoyed her answer very much.

"Join me in the shower?" He asked, hoping not to have pressed his luck.

"I'd love to," she whispered against his lips.

.

.

.

He let her get dressed in peace, offering her an old silk dressing gown that had been backed into the corner of his closet, until he could dig around for some of Hazel's clothes, at the very least something that would fit her. His own gray button down was open, and black jeans rode low on his slim hips, kept up with a belt consisting of a ruby-and-diamond-skull encrusted belt buckle. Nico knew it was a bit much just for Hermione who had seen him bleeding, and naked, and bleeding and naked, but he did love that belt buckle.

The half-Italian threw open the curtains in the parlor, letting the Roma sunlight shine in. Mediterranean-blue skies filled half of the picture windows, the other half filled with the old brick skyline of his homeland.

America might have been his more frequent place of residency, but Nico could never get enough of the thrum of old magic in Roma that kept him coming back. Just on the other side of the city, his mama had grown up, playing in the streets, helping in her father's shop.

The pull of wanting to settle down in Italy got stronger with each visit.

Shaking his head at the notion of him ever settling down anywhere, he turned to go to the kitchen, fully intent on getting that cup of caffee for Hermione, as promised, and maybe he could scrounge around for some cornetto that weren't half stale.

The kitchen at his 'little place in Rome' was very modern, and probably Nico's favorite room in the house. He'd put in stainless steel appliances and chic black marble counter tops. A glass-topped stove sat adjacent to the fridge, next to a double sink. The son of Hades thought himself a bit of a chef, but he was Italian, and he had yet to meet one that wasn't.

By far his favorite feature though, was the drawing that was pinned up on the refrigerator with a Finding Nemo magnet: a drawing of the leaning tower of Piza done in orange and blue crayon, courtesy of Nico's godson, a four-year-old Luke Jackson.

Smiling at the drawing before opening the fridge, Nico rummaged around, finding some jam and butter. He practically jumped out of his skin when a voice, distinctly feminine and very familiar, said, "This place really is full of wonderful views."

"Merda," Nico swore, ducking his head out of the fridge and rubbing the back of his head, which he'd hit on the fridge. Why hadn't he felt a presence sneak up on him?

When he turned around he got his answer. Aphrodite. Not a human, no soul. The lovely Lady of Love herself was sitting at one of the leather upholstered bar stools, smiling coquettishly at him, and twirling a piece of hair, blonde it seemed, around her finger.

He had a very distinct feeling she'd been talking about his ass a moment before. As great as he knew his ass was, it was still kinda creepy.

"As they say in Italia, ciao." She said.

Nico bent at the hips, bowing, righting himself after a moment, "Lady Aphrodite, what a...wonderful surprise. Would you like something to drink? Espresso maybe?" He laughed nervously at the end, cursing himself. Aphrodite didn't make his veins swim with lust like she did with other men, but he always had a sinking feeling in his stomach she was going to pounce on him one day and have her way with him. The feeling was strengthened ten-fold when he felt her eyes on him, tracing his chest and abs.

"Oh, that would be lovely, mon copain." She folded her hands, resting her chin on top of them daintily as Nico set to work, pausing to button up his shirt. "Not that I don't enjoy your company, Lady Aphrodite, but is there a certain reason that you're here? No one really makes curtsey calls now-a-days. "

He looked over his shoulder just enough to see Aphrodite smirk, "Oh la la, mais bien sûr. But I was going to wait until your, mmm, lady friend showed up." She said no more as Nico continued to make her drink. He was just about to hand over the goddess's cup when a different voice, one Nico felt much more comfortable with, said, "Nico, are you in he- oh, hullo."

Nico whirled around to see Hermione standing in the entrance of the kitchen, with wild and slightly damp curls and rosy cheeks. The black silk robe was pulled snugly around her waist, and Nico was certain she was the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen. He shook that thought from his mind, though, fearing that Aphrodite pick up on it. He did not want to be turned into a dove or a lion or something.

Crossing the length of the kitchen in two strides, Nico wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist, "Amore, I'd like to introduce you to-"

"The goddess Aphrodite?" Hermione finished. Right, brightest witch of the age.

"Ah, sí." Nico said shortly, "And Lady Aphrodite, this is-"

"Hermione Jean Granger, of England. Yes, you two are just the talk of Olympus. That adventure is Surrey last night was just so romantic, just...trés magnifique!" Aphrodite got a dreamy look in her eyes (blue today?) while Nico frowned. "We almost got killed, several times," Nico pointed out.

"Oui, je sais, that makes it all the more romantic, n'est pas?"

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Hermione took a step forward out of the demigod's hold and said, "Er, Lady Aphrodite, is there something you need our help with?"

Aphrodite looked to Nico, "She's so bright, isn't she? Keep her." Turning back to Hermione, she said, "Of course there is. You see, the world is in a great deal of danger. I hate to break your trés romantique getaway, but if I don't have a strapping, young hero and a bright, young witch to help me, this could be the very end."

Of course, just when things were going his way...

"What's the problem, miss?" Hermione prompted.

Aphrodite let out a deep sigh, "My son, Eros, is missing."

Ta-da! Ok, translations.

Cara- dear (Italian)

Passerotta- sparrow (Italian endearment. They're weird...like French endearments)

Caffee- coffee (Italian)

Cornetto- Italian pastries, served usually for breakfast. It's croissant like.

Merda- shit (Italian)

Italia, ciao- Italy, hello (Italian)

Mon copain- my boyfriend (French)

Mais bein sûr- but of course (French)

Amore- love (Italian)

Trés magnifique- very magnificent (French)

Oui, je sais_n'est pas- yes, I know_right? (French)

Trés romantique- very romantic (French)

No idea when the next update will be with school coming up, but soon hopefully! Reviews are love!