"What is with them?"

"I dunno."

"What do you think?"

"Maybe... Cap'in's chains finally broke?"

"Maybe..."

Nico sighs and looks at his crew hands harshly,"May I join this conversation about me?"

James and Rogan go wide eyed and look away hastily, going back to their work on the ropes.

Nico shakes his head, turning back to the rope in his hand. He glances up once again, looking at Luca as the omega works on the deck with the others.

His eyes trail that back, the one hes only seen for a few short moments in the time that Luca has been on this ship.

His eyes reach blue ones, and Luca glares at him darkly, the omegas face stern.

Nico gulps before turning away again, striding to his quarters and closing the door behind himself.

Fuck.

Nico presses a hand to his forhead, staring down at the floor with wide eyes.

What the fuck is wrong with him?

He's never felt like this. His gut clenches at the thought of seeing Luca when he wakes up in the morning, his heart races each time they find a secluded place by themselves. Which hasn't been more than twice, and each time Luca pushes him away after only two or three kisses. He keeps looking at him just to stare, he wants to go to the crew quarters to ask him to come and sleep in the bed with him. No sex, No kissing, just because he wants Luca to be near him, to lay with him and... Hug.

Cuddling?

What the actual fuck is wrong with him. Nico Lysander does not fucking cuddle. He has never found such a thing attractive, and he's never done it before because he's just not that kinda guy. That kinda alpha.

Or so he thought?

Nico stares at the floor boards of his ship, wishing he knew how to control these spiraling emotions. He feels all warm and fuzzy. Everytime Luca brushes past him it's like little explosions go off through his body, and if he really thinks about it... This is.

Scary.

This is scary as fuck. Nico is sure that he likes the omega more than he should- way more than he should.

...Maybe-

"Cap'in!"

Nico near jumps out of his skin as he stumbles away from the loud knock on the door.

"Cap'in, Vincent is just a days ship ride away! Do you wanna stop at this beach or keep going!?" Lana screeches through the door and Nico growls lowly as he yanks it open.

"Cap'in-!" Lana flinches as he appears in the door, making the alphas ears hurt. She smiles,"Oh hi cap'in."

"Hello." Nico says darkly in annoyance and she giggles,"You said a day?"

"Yes sir." Lana nods briskly,"So?"

"Just keep goin..." Nico sighs,"Then we'll relax a few days just like we did back at Mono."

Lana grins a big smile before signing off and jogging across the ship to her crew members, the announcement of their couple days break making them all cheer as Lana explains.

Nico looks around, and he smiles a little when he sees Luca sitting up on the quarter deck, straddling the railing between his legs as he stares out at the water that never ends.

"The Ocean has its silent caves//Deep, quiet, and alone//Though there be fury on the waves//Beneath them there is none//The awful spirits of the deep//Hold their communion there//And there are those for whom we weep//The young, the bright, the fair..."

Nico leans on the rail infront of him, and Luca looks at him, his face a little softer than usual.

"Whatcha saying there goregous?" Nico murmurs and the omega huffs, shaking his head as he flushes and looks back out at the sea.

"An old poem." He mutters,"'Bout the ocean."

Nico stares at him, those flushed cheeks looking nice against the sunset hues the ocean reflects back on him.

"Can you finish it?" Nico asks him gently and Luca glares shortly at him.

"Why?"

"Cause you saying poetry is poetry in itself." Nico grins as Luca's eyes squint further, his face contemplating,"What?"

"You're a dumbass alpha, that's what." Luca mutters, looking away from him and sighing deeply,"Fine."

Nico grins, and shifts his weight as he lays his head against his arms. He looks up at Luca expectantly and the omega wiggles as he glances away from the older man.

"Calmly the wearied seamen rest//Beneath their own blue sea//The ocean solitudes are blest//For there is purity//The earth has guilt, the earth has care," Luca takes a breath, swallowing and gripping the rail,"Unquiet are its graves//But peaceful sleep is ever there//Beneath the dark blue waves."

Nico stares at him, and Luca huffs heavily, blue eyes looking down at the ocean as he stares solemnly.

"That was pretty."

Luca takes a deep breath, his cheeks still blotching with red. Nico grins,"You're not used to compliments are you?"

Luca frowns, and grumbles,"Shut up."