When Ciella woke up, the first thing she noticed was that she couldn't feel her bandaged left arm, that she could barely feel her also bandaged right arm, that her lower legs were bandaged, that her lower ribcage was bandaged and hurt like Hades, and that she could barely breathe because of said hurt. The second thing she noticed was that, sitting next to her bed, was Nico di Angelo. On the face of the son of Hades was an expression of pure worry, more intense than she'd ever seen.
"Hey," she rasped in a whisper.
"Thank the gods you're awake. I felt... I felt you almost die," sobbed Nico in relief.
Wait. Nico di Angelo, sobbing? And was that a tear under his eye? No no no, that simply wouldn't do. Ciella reached up and cupped his chin with her palm, wiping her thumb under his eye. He gripped her hand, and when she removed her hand, he kept holding hers.
"You should rest," Nico said softly.
"Will you be here when I wake up?"
"They'll have to send me to my father permanently for me not to."
With a smile on her face, the daughter of Poseidon fell asleep, the son of Hades following soon after, their hands still held in that of the other.
*I am a line break*
Some time later, Percy and Annabeth peeked in to see how Ciella was doing. They tiptoed away and Annabeth said what they were both thinking.
"Looks like Nico found his someone."
*I am a line break*
Meanwhile, somewhere on Olympus, Aphrodite, goddess of Love, giggled, saying, "Ciellico is now on my top ten couples list. They're sooo cute together!"
*Two Days Later*
Two days had passed since Ciella had woken up, during which Nico hardly left her side. The daughter of Poseidon was now well enough for her debriefing.
Chiron, Percy, and Annabeth joined Nico by Ciella's bed, on which she was propped up on some pillows. The debriefing went without a hitch until it got to the torture (in other words, it didn't go well for any significant amount of time AT ALL). When she had to describe the terrible agony she had been put through, she sobbed and buried her face in Nico's shoulder, throwing her arms around him. Gently rubbing her back, he explained in as little detail as possible what had happened. Their faces went from curiosity, to shock, to horror. Silently bearing the guilt of having her relive the terrible experience, they left, closing the door behind themselves.
Slowly, Ciella calmed down enough to meet Nico's eyes. Almost subconsciously, they both leaned forward and (AN: and now, the moment you've all been waiting for...) their lips met.