Nico feels slightly surprised with himself, stomach clenching with some kinda panic as he looks over at the omega. Those pretty blue orbs stare at him, looking equally surprised by the request as he looks at the taller man. Nico swallows, feeling his tongue grow heavy in his mouth as he gazes into those huge blue eyes, heart stuttering in his chest as he watches them glimmer in the moonlight, dark freckles standing out against that pretty, scarred, tan skin. Damn, the rum is really fucking with him tonight isn't it, his breath catching up in his dry throat as those brown locks brush against the younger man's forehead.

“I mean…” He shrugs, trying to get the shiver off his spine, “With Jacob getting older I'll need a new cabin boy. The old man can show you the ins and outs and I can tie you up an extra hammock in the quarters.”

Luca perks his lips in a small, contemplative pout and Nico smiles as his face twists up in thought, “I'll just be another mouth to feed.” He mutters, looking guilty despite his angry, scrunched up face, “No sense in that.” 

“It's fine, I don't mind.”

“You should.”

“I care about my crew more than anything.” Nico says softly, hazel eyes watching the horizon ripple in the silver light, “They're my family… And I don't mind adding to it if you think that's the problem.”

Luca scowls, somehow looking frustrated. Nico isn't sure why the smaller man is having such a hard time figuring this out but he sighs as he leans towards him, “How about this… You become a temporary part of my crew till we get to Vincent… If ya don't like us by then then you're free to leave.” He waves a hand out.

Luca hums, glancing at the blond warily before grumbling out a short, “Fine…”

Nico grins, the word sobering him up as he feels his heart pump. A new member to the crew! It always makes his heart leap, “Well then Luca…?” He raises a questioning brow.

The omega frowns at him for a moment before sighing a defeated breath, slumping against his own knees, “Leone.”

“Well, Luca Leone…” Nico waves his hands out towards his beautiful ship, smiling proudly, “Welcome aboard the Black Angel! Officially, I mean…”

Luca snorts, rolling his eyes some before leaning back on his hands, “Whatever.” He mumbles, but something in his gaze looks strangely relieved. 

“Nice to be part of something huh?” Nico says in a thoughtful tone, eyes gazing up at the stars.

“Hm…” He looks at Luca again, watching as those eyes go far away, shadows forming behind his eyes. 

“Do you…” Nico clears his throat, wondering for just a split second if it's a good idea to ask this before he inevitably spits it out, “Do you have family anywhere?”

Those shoulders tense, and Nico immediately regrets asking questions because whatever bit of wall he got to crumble down just moments before is quickly slapped with mortar and bricked back up, “No.” He says, tone sharp and eyes narrowing. 

Nico holds up a placating hand, “Okay, okay, no need for hostility.”

Luca grumbles something low In his throat, body rigid. Nico sighs heavily, shaking his head as he becomes frustrated with himself. Why can't he keep his mouth shut?

He flinches when Luca is suddenly standing up next to him. He looks up at the skinny man, body strangely aching as the omega wrings out his shirt some, “You leaving?”

“Heading back to the ship.” Luca throws a thumb over his shoulder, “Y’all will be there by morning right?”

Nico stares up at him, and he wishes for a moment that he had just kept his mouth shut- maybe Luca’s brows would have stayed lifted from his eyes and maybe those blue irises would've shined in the moonlight one more time if he could've got him to smile.

“Yeah, of course.” Nico nods, “Just make sure Jacob is still sleeping well, will you?”

Luca nods before trudging away without another word. Nico watches after him with a sunken heart, silently cursing himself all the way to Timbuktu and back.