Oceana: I know the chapters seem to be getting smaller, so I'll post this one and another this time. Sorry!

Leo: I said, could you pass the popcorn, dude.

Nico: I hate popcorn.

Pearl: Get ready. Dun dun duuuuuuuun!

Nico di Angelo, Son of Hades

It was Morgan all right. Her hair hung exactly the same way as when he'd last seen her. Morgan's azure eyes spilled tears. Her tailored chiton exenterated her figure and her winged sandals flapped aimlessly. The pressure of her knee left his chest, and he could breathe again. Nico picked up his sword and sheathed it. Morgan returned her swords into her hairpin, and tucked it amongst her hair. The tension crackled and spat, and Nico felt anger starting to boil. She dared to come back? After that?

'So,' Nico began coolly. 'I'm still alive, no thanks to-'

'I know, I was told,' Morgan blurted. Tears fell down her pink cheeks. 'After I destroyed half of dad's statues on Mount Olympus, she restrained me and threatened to strip me of my rank. Not that I cared.'

Nico's voice hardened, but he needed to know. 'Who's she?'

'Aphrodite. Stupid, air headed meddling goddess.' Nico half expected that they were going to get bombarded with murderous doves, but no birds came. He remained silent, waiting. Sure enough, Morgan's composure broke.

'Nico, I would've jumped straight after you, but these stopped me!' She glared at her sandals. They just sat innocently. 'It's even worse now; I can't take them off. They dragged me all the way to Olympus. That's when I went on the rampage.' Despite himself, a small smile tugged at the corners of Nico's mouth.

Morgan continued, voice quavering, 'She told me whether you lived or died and that I had a job to do. Well I wasn't going to listen to her. If you died, I'd have nothing left. I refused to leave Hades' temple for a week, begging to all the gods to keep you safe. When I finally returned to the postal department-' That's the Hermes Express Headquarters, '-there was only one letter, for Leo Valdez. I didn't know you were here, I hardly paid attention to anything.' Nico sensed Morgan had more to say, but she hesitated.

Morgan started again. 'I don't know what the letter said,' Morgan chewed her lip. 'But it vaporized after he read it and the he… He started staggering about like he was going to pass out… Then…' She shook her head and took a deep breath. 'He kissed me. And, I… I enjoyed it. It reminded me of you…' She bit her lip and looked at her feet.

The she broke down completely.

'I-I'm… Nico, I-I… Pl-please… I'm so so-sorry…' She rushed toward me and cried against my shoulder. He sighed and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around me and cried harder. I spent all the time in Tartarus believing she was a coward, a traitor. Even now, I didn't want to believe her, after what had happened between us, but her cries were so heart-breaking...

'Hey, Owens. You're getting my jacket wet.'

Morgan laughed a little, and stifled her sobs. 'Do you-'

'I forgive you, I don't blame you… I love you.' Nico kissed her fiercely. 'Oh, Morgan…' Their embrace finally loosened, and Nico breathed, 'That letter… I think Aphrodite must have spliced it…' He closed his eyes, and leaned his forehead against hers. They had to figure this out. The more that went unspoken between them meant the more that could be misinterpreted, build up to hate and suspicion.

'You think so?' She still had her arms around his neck. Morgan hiccupped a little, which Nico found sweet, like an angry puppy. He had tried so hard to forget everything he'd ever felt for anyone, Morgan being the last straw in having compassion for any selfish person on the planet. Hiding who he really was, spending so much time with the dead, who did not ask questions or make him feel insignificant.

'Yeah… Just saying, do you think the gods want you and Leo to…?' It was a painful possibility, that the two of them were destined to be separated. Oh gods, Nico thought. I sound like some hopeless romantic. Morgan had that effect on him - so easily taking down all his barriers he'd put up around himself, her presence making him feel nearly whole again.

'I don't care,' Morgan growled, burying her face in his neck. 'To Tartarus with heartless schizophrenic gods.'

'Careful,' Nico chuckled, smiling at her boldness. 'I really wouldn't appreciate it if you got turned into a peacock.'

Morgan just mumbled into his chest. 'I can't believe you're here,' Nico suddenly backtracked.

'You begged to my dad? For a week?' She sniffed loudly and nodded sullenly. 'It wasn't as selfless as you'd think. The dancing shadows everywhere… Like every time I looked into your eyes…' Here Nico sighed and kissed Morgan again, softer, gentler. Her words, making him feel like the only person who mattered. He felt kind of selfish too, being around her. She make him feel better. All the power of the gods couldn't take away the bond they had. They could mask it, twist it, stretch it between Tartarus and Olympus, but they'd still feel each other. Was it because they had so much in common? One of a kind? Both with a secret each helped the other to cope with?

She whimpered when they drew apart. 'Leo…' Nico was sure they both would've face palmed, if their hands weren't refusing to budge.

'Aw Styx,' He cursed. Nico had enough to worry about now, without the elfish Valdez throwing a spanner into the mix. Which he could do literally and laterally.

'Ditto,' Morgan agreed. 'How's this one going to work out…?' Her faced was so perfect in the moonlight, even when frowning.

'I think we're about to find out.' They unwillingly untwined themselves, and Morgan picked up her letter bag as Leo burst up from below deck.

Pearl: Eww that's all fluffy Oceana, what in Hadeessss?

Leo: Who knew Nico could be such a romantic?

Nico: Seriously, Oceana? Does this sound like me at all?

Oceana: *hides in corner of shame* It's vital to the plot! What with the ominous hinted secret and such!

Pearl: It's not a secret to everyone who's read House of Hades, genius.

Nico: House of Hades is a place...

Leo: I think it's a book too, man.

Nico: ... Secret...?

Pearl: Yeah that you-

Nico: *draws Stygian Iron sword and presses it against her throat* That I what?

Oceana: People! It's just a fanfic!

Leo: *munches popcorn slowly*