Oceana: I am terribly sorry this is a small chapter, but I haven't had the chance to write all week-

Leo: Excuses, excuses. *rubs hands* Is this ever going anywhere, or is it all fluff?

Pearl: It's T rated, Leo.

Leo: Styx.

Nico di Angelo, Son of Hades

Morgan stayed the rest of the night in the sickbay, as they decided not to disturb the others in the middle of the night, one bed away from Nico. They had a mini-obstacle course exercise clambering over the giant toes of the Athena Parthenos.

He put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling, inhaling deeply. The faint cedar smoke scent of Morgan's perfume tickled his nostrils. Nico didn't want open himself up again – his secrets were the only thing protecting him. He'd clammed up after Bianca died, never wanting to let anyone in, to exploit his weaknesses. Hide in the shadows, never let anyone see…

'Owens? You asleep?' He whispered softly. She sighed and tuned over, her eyes glowing softly in the dark.

'I'm too restless.'

'Yeah, me too.' He turned his head to face her. She smiled in the murk. Morgan buried her face in the bed sheet. 'I feel cold…' Nico frowned.

'The temperature is moderated by-'

'I've felt cold every day since you were dragged into Tartarus.' Her voice muffled. Nico flung his own sheets back and soundlessly glided to Morgan's bed. Despite everything, he and Morgan had been through a lot together, more than anyone else knew. She looked up and saw him crouched by her side. He kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek.

'I'm here now. I'm right here.' She pulled her arms from beneath the sheet and kissed him slowly, pulling him up.

'Then stay.' Nico chuckled against her lips. The sound was foreign to himself, although Morgan always found a way to make him forget his troubles, levitate his gloom, if momentarily.

'What do you mean? I'm in the next bed.' A grain of curiosity sparked in the small of his back. She pulled him closer still.

'No. Here.' Nico was suddenly attacked by shyness, the very same feeling he got when he carried Morgan away from the empousa ambush, soon after their first meeting. He remembered how light she was, and her skin softer than a blanket of feathers. The way her body was scarily limp as he shadow travelled away from the roaring, only to collapse from exhaustion.

There was a packet of a half a dozen or so ambrosia squares in his jacket pocket. He ate three squares and stifled a cry as his cracked ribs slowly healed themselves. That should stop any internal bleeding, He thought. "Morgan. Morgan. Wake up. We're safe," Nico gently shook her.

She groaned and muttered. "Left shoulder's gone. Ankle, sprained. Three broken ribs, I think. Do you have whiplash? I've never felt so ARGH. I feel like I've slept on a bed of thorns…"

Nico smirked. "I have ambrosia. Can you sit up?"

"No," She said sarcastically before sitting up and unhooking a pouch from her belt.

Confused, Nico frowned. "Where did you get that?"

"It's my letter bag. It changes." Morgan plucked out a vial of nectar. The vial was definitely bigger than the pouch.

"Open up," And handed him the vial. She watched Nico take a sip and sigh. Nico was still wary of the strange daughter of Hermes, but he was almost certain Morgan wasn't going to murder him in his sleep.

"I should come better prepared," He grimaced and poured a few droplets onto Morgan's gash on her forehead. It healed spontaneously.

"You should," She replied and drank some nectar. Morgan yawned and winced as she stretched her broken ribs.

"Get some sleep," She mumbled into his shoulder as her armband slithered away. "George, Martha, keep watch." Nico wanted to flinch from her touch, but he was too exhausted to move.

Aye, aye, captain. George said.

Get some rest, dears. Martha assured them. Nico closed his eyes, relaxed by Morgan's rhythmic breathing and warmth. The sky was dark, but stars twinkled over the battle weary demigods.

Oceana: Huh? Huh?! Whaddya think? Do we like the wallflower Nico?

Nico: Wallflower?

Leo: You are such a wallflower.

Pearl: I would've gone with Emo.

Oceana: Not the point, guys!

Leo: Eh. It's a bonding moment. Please tell me it's not the end of the POV.

Oceana: No, this is like part one.

Nico: Good.