Nico handed his empty plate to Connor, "That was great, Connor. Thanks."

Connor just grinned and went to start on dishes. "Feel free to watch the TV or anything. I have netflix. Don't have cable. Just local channels. I think ABC and CW."

Nico nodded a bit and grabbed the remote, but he wasn't sure he wanted to turn it on. They were having good conversation.

"So, what's this book you have a date with named?"

"Matchbox. It's the first book in the Breckenridge Burning series by Cassandra Dellaro. She's a halfblood, my half sister if I remember correctly. Anyway, Travis recommended them to me."

"I think Will was reading that series. He had been excited because a new book was coming out."

"Powder Keg, probably."

"Hang on, Matchbox and Powder Keg? What are the other books titled?"

"It goes Matchbox, Lighter, Oil Lamp, Torch, Powder Keg, and the newest is Volcano. Next one is Caldera I think."

"Keeping with a burning theme, then."

"Yup. Funny enough, they live up to their titles."

"So, not recommended for pyromaniacs?"

Connor laughed, "Uncertain. It could either sate them, or make them crave it more."

"Is the main character a pyro?"

"Um, something like that. I really can't tell you more without giving things away."

"Ah. I see." He recalled Will refusing to tell him virtually anything, simply saying "Spoilers."

"Anyway, it's one of those books that has a little bit of everything in it. So when looking at the genre most people say adventure because it has so much that it's just the easiest."

"Cheesy romance in it?"

"Not particularly."

Nico nodded, "Might have to check it out. I take it a new one comes out every six months or so?"

"Yeah. Apparently, the last one has been in editing stages for about three months because they wanted to keep the spacing normal. She apparently bangs out a story every couple months." Connor plopped onto the couch, "I cant imagine writing that much."

Nico shook his head, "Me neither. I don't even like writing lab reports."

"That's right, you're heading for forensics."

"Yeah, criminal forensics. I thought I might as well help the poor dead people by helping find their killers. Plus I'll have a leg up on most people because I'll know what I'm looking for." Nico shrugged.

Connor nodded, "How close are you to finishing your degree?"

"I've got about two years left. Provided I an stick to my schedule. Shoot, I almost forgot. My professor is recommending me for an internship this fall." Nico groaned.

Connor laughed, "Oh gods, I'm glad I didn't have to do that. Well, I guess technically I did, but it wasn't like a regular internship."

Nico sighed, "I wouldn't mind if it wasn't for the rumors about the girl who would be my boss."

"Ooh, what rumors?"

"Something about her hating other people in her lab. Weird, I think they said she was goth, and untrusting. It'll be hell."

"You went through Tartarus. Can't be worse than that." Connor nudged him gently. "Let me work on your back. Keep talking."

Nico turned so Connor could get to his back, "Anyway, everything I've heard about the place as a whole is…concerning. But my teacher thinks I'll excel."

"I would trust him then. Where is the internship?"

"It's like, the navy police or something."

"NCIS?"

"Uh, sure?"

"Naval Criminal Investigative Service. I'd wanted to work there before…" his hand gestured to the fake foot.

Nico nodded, "Why?"

"My mom was a Marine. They found her killer and...well, they saved me. That time when I was kidnapped." Connor was quiet.

Nico nodded, "I see. Well, I still have yet to be accepted for the internship, but my teacher seems pretty confident."

"Good luck finding a place with rent low enough you can afford it." Connor snorted. "Only reason I have this place is because my Grandpa bought it for me. Bought Travis' place too. Taxes aren't cheap, but I make enough that it's not a big deal."

Nico grunted, "How long is the spare room available?"

Connor chuckled, "As long as you need it."

Nico realized that Connor had just guided him to asking to live at the house with him. The man had let Nico realize that it was the best option for him, and waited for Nico to feel comfortable in the decision.

"You're sneaky, Stoll."

"You're just now realizing this?" Connors fingers gently dug into a knot in Nico's back, causing a whimper from the younger man.

"You just got me to ask to stay with you. Why?"

"Look, you need a place to live, I go crazy being in this house alone all the time. I have the space, it's not far from your university or your potential workplace and you need me to help you get better anyway." Connor gently rubbed Nico's neck. "Besides, if I have to be part of one more group text about Jason and Reyna's and everyone else's concern about you living alone, I'm going to personally destroy all the cell towers in the area."

Nico laughed, "They keep accidentally including me in those."

"Idiots. Anyway, if you're living with me, then they have one less thing to worry about. An maybe I can escape group texts for a while."

Nico considered it. Something in him said that Will would say it was a win-win situation. Say that Nico would be foolish to pass up an offer like this.

"Alright, but no big parties."

Connor snorted, "And get the house dirty?"

"You're a clean freak?" Nico arched an eyebrow and looked back. The place was pretty darn clean.

"No, which is why I don't like to get it dirty. Cleaning after a party is a pain in the kiester that I don't want to deal with." Connor made a face. "No promises on warning you if my brother is dropping in, though. He just sort of does. Usually with Zoey. Sometimes with an annoyed Katie who insisted that they should have called. They have a key."

Nico shrugged slightly, "They're your family. It's fine. Besides, they probably usually bring food, don't they?"

"Thank the gods, yes." Connor got up and went to the closet, pulling out a massage bed. "Up you get."

Nico sighed, "That bad?"

"That bad."

"So, why do you like massaging people?"

Connor gestured for Nico to lose his shirt, "Ever heard of the five love languages?"

"I don't think so."

"Something Katie clued me in on. So there's this guy who says that there are five primary love languages: gifts, quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, and physical touch." Connor helped Nico lay down on the bed.

"Okay."

"These are all present in different levels in each person. My primary love language is physical touch, with acts of service and quality time tied for second. Then words of affirmation and gifts."

Nico frowned at the floor as he worked through it, "So, for physical touch…?"

"Any brief touch from someone I care about can make me feel loved. I prefer hugs. If I don't have physical contact often enough I start to feel unloved. Best gift I ever got was a body pillow. I'm a big cuddler. Kind of frustrating."

"And gifts?"

"It's when a person feels loved when people give them gifts. Even if it's just flowers or something."

"Okay, then you said words of…"

"Affirmation. Things like, you're the best. I love you. You're so handsome. I love that you vacuumed. I appreciate you." Connors tone sounded indifferent. "Travis ha to learn to dole out those kinds of words frequently because Katie is not a cuddler and he was used to making sure I didn't spiral into depression."

"Right, and the other two?"

"Quality time, any time spent with each other. Even just watching a movie. But also, one on one time. Talking, listening, deep conversations. Meaningful ones."

Nico gave a thoughtful sound.

"And acts of service." Connor paused his work for a moment, "Doing things for someone, even little things like washing the dishes. Travis argued that that was more how I showed affection than how I received it, but I had a girlfriend who simply folded towels while I was changing quickly and I could have kissed her for an hour for that."

Nico smiled, "You are a dork."

"But a cute dork. Or, so I'm told." Connor really dug into one spot an Nico hissed his breath in pain.

"Sorry. Has to be done. It's almost out." Connor murmured in a soothing tone.

Nico turned his mind to the idea of the love languages. He could see how it made sense.

Will had always been taking care of him in a way that just made Nico feel loved. And he always felt best when people spent time with him, really spent time with him.

Nico had also noticed that Will loved being told how much Nico loved him am appreciated him. Loved it when Nico made time for him and cuddled with him. When Nico allowed Will to touch him without complaining, when they first moved in together, will had been so ecstatic that…well, they got a little carried away in their kissing and ended up at the hospital with Nico getting twelve stitches.

"I think will was a physical touch and words of affirmation." He said softly.

Connor slowed for a moment, "Seems about right. Though I would say acts of service for him as well. He liked helping others, so when someone helped him without his asking or willingly, he always looked ecstatic."

"What's Travis?" Nico decided they needed to focus on someone else.

"Quality time, hands down. But he's well-versed in others because of me and Katie. Katie also thinks that cookies are one of his love languages for reasons you do not want to know."

Nico snorted, "Now I do."

Connor laughed, "Trust me, you don't."

Nico relaxed even more under Connors hands as Connor loosened up more of his back, "Oh man..."

Connor chuckled softly and kept working. "Anyway, I like massaging because even if I don't particularly are for the person I'm working on, it still makes me feel a little more…happy. Satisfied."

Nico moaned, "That hurts and feels good…"

"I'm magic like that." Connors voice returned to it's calm tone, relaxed. Easy going.

Nico thought back to when Connor had first lost his foot. He and Will had gone to visit him in the hospital when Travis told them, and that Connor was severely depressed. The accident had killed two campers and seriously injured another two, the last three had only minor injuries. But all of them would have died if Connor hadn't acted so quickly. Still, Connor blamed himself for the deaths of the two campers, and since his chances of going to te Olympics as planned were dashed, and he wouldn't be qualified for field work in the criminal justice world…

Will had been his usual self, trying to help Connor.

Nico had watched, barely able to hide his horror at seeing Connor so depressed. His worry for him, and sympathy had to stay hidden. He knew Connor wouldn't want to see it. Connor had made that clear when he had been hospitalized after the kidnapping two years before that.

Nico kept his comments to topics that would keep him from revealing his sorrow and sympathy.

He remembered Will humming a hymn to Apollo after Connor fell asleep, an later telling Nico that it was a song for depression, not physical injuries.

Nico also remembered the scare Connor gave them all when he was missing for a while an they found a suicide note. And Connor coming back in on his crutches, looking at all of them like they ha lost their minds. And really, that had been the night that the old Connor had seemed to come back.

"You've come a long way since you lost your foot." Nico finally commented aloud.

"Yeah, I have. Helps that the medicine they had me on for the depression was actually the biggest contributor to my depression."

"Seriously? I never heard about that."

"Oh yeah, I was depressed, but the medicine made it so bad. You were there the night I realize it was worse with the medicine."

"I never actually heard what had happened."

"Well, I had left that morning to go kill myself, but instead I found myself in a police station, talking to one of the officers about how I lost my foot and I was going to kill myself. That I had felt better last night, but this morning it was just too much to bear."

"You said that to a police officer?"

"Yeah, anyway, apparently he noticed something about my eyes or something and he and another officer took me to a lab for some blood work. Turns out it had caused something or other to happen which was causing me to fall into severe depression. I was taken to the hospital to purge my system and then the officer drove me home. I told Travis after you all left. Will prescribed me something else to help with the depression I did have. Travis helped me move on. So did little Zoey."

"That's right, she was only a few months old when that happened." Nico commented.

"Five months. Then Travis and Katie got married about four months after. Then hazel and frank. There was just enough happiness going around that I made it through." Connor shrugged, "I still struggle every once in a while, but overall, I'm doing fantastic."

Nico pushed himself up onto his arms, his back creaking as he did, "I'm glad. Seriously. If you didn't have this job, I'd be sitting defeated somewhere."

Connor helped him the rest of the way up, "Happy to help." He said with a smile.

Nico stood, and then slid his arms around Connors waist and hugged him tightly.

Connor flinched slightly, surprised, but then he hugged Nico back. His head dropped onto Nico's.

Nico realized Connor was probably exhausted, and was probably more than ready to curl up with that book.

"Sorry, you're probably tired." He started to pull away.

Connor didn't let got or move, holding Nico in place. "Mm."

"You any sleep here, dude."

Connor laughed softly, "Okay, okay." He slowly pulled away.

"You've got a book, remember?" Nico gave him a soft smile. Don't leave me alone. Please.

Connor nodded, rubbing his face, "yeah. Goodnight, Nico."

"Night." Nico forced it out, limping toward the guest bedroom. He didn't want to be alone, but he knew he needed to respect Connors space.

Connor made a clicking sound, "You need a book to read or something?"

Nico hesitated, "yeah, I guess so."

Connor nodded and led the way to the Master bedroom, walking slowly so that Nico could keep up.

"I never pegged you as a reader."

"Keeps me busy." Connor led the way to a packed bookshelf. A big bookshelf.

"That's a lot of books…" Nico felt his surprise grow.

Connor gave a sheepish smile, "I've got a lot of spare time. Especially lately."

"Dude, you need a girlfriend." Nico shook his head, the grabbed a book and looked it over. "How's this one?"

Connor made a face, "Little slow in the beginning. Try this one. A different book by Cassie Dellaro, but definitely good. I think you'll like it."

Nico took it and shrugged, "I'll try it. Thanks."

Connor nodded and grabbed a book off a table, "feel free to raid the cupboards or fridge. Just, make yourself at home."

"Okay." Nico forced himself toward the door.

Connor sat down on his bed and took off his fake foot, "see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, tomorrow." Nico stared at the fake foot. "Connor, is that blood?"

"Yeah, it just rubbed part of my leg raw. It's no big deal." Connor shrugged it off. "Leo said he's got a new one he wants me to test out. He's bringing it in a month or so, after he fixes the first issue that's come up already. Apparently it shorted out and almost electrocuted him."

"Um, that's a nope." Nico hugged the book, still concerned.

"Yeah, but he swears it'll be ready next time they're here." Connor got out some band-aids and sort of cleaned up the spot before going applying one.

"Dude, you know better than to treat something with such little care. Even if it is minor." Nico scolded. "You should be putting antibiotic ointment on it. Or nectar. Wash it out properly."

Connor snorted, "You spent way too much time with Will."

Nico rolled his eyes, "Just do it properly."

Connor sighed and pulled a small medical kit from his side table. "Such a little pest."

"Said the prankster and thief." Nico retorted. He wanted to sit next to Connor, but he knew that was a bad idea.

Connor smirked, then glance at him. "Nico?"

"Yeah?" Nico jumped a bit.

"If you want to you can read in here. You look like someone who's afraid of being alone."

Nico felt himself blush, "I'm fine."

"Nico, it's okay if you don't want to be alone." Connor said gently. "I get it. You've been essentially on your own for a while. It's understandable that you need to be around people."

Nico looked at Connor, "Can I just…can I…"

Connor waved him over, "Yeah, you can sit next to me. Told you, I'm a cuddler. Doesn't faze me."

Nico climbed onto the bed and got comfortable next to Connor.

Connor wrapped an arm around Nico then fell into the world that his book created.

Nico tried to focus on reading. It was a great book, but he just wanted to cuddle up with Connor.

Finally he just closed the book and set it aside, curling up an closing his eyes.

Connor smelled like that good candle, and it was a great scent. Relaxing.

Next thing Nico knew he was falling asleep faster than he could stop himself.