“So how is he?”

“Hm?”

“How's the brat?” Lana asks, sitting down on the steps next to Nico, “By the way, you look like shit.” She grins snidely, and Nico frowns at her sleepily.

“He seems fine.” He mutters, reaching up and running hand through his fluffy hair, “Those pills he took have made him meaner than hell though, it's like he's not even in heat.” He shakes his head, looking at the shorter woman, “He kicked me in the back last night Lana… Because I accidentally brushed my arm against his. Told me that if I touched him at all that he'd rip my limbs off.”

Lana snorts, holding a fist against her lips as a smile forms. Nico rolls his eyes at her, looking away from her with disappointment, “Well if you're just gonna laugh at me then I'll just keep my trap shut.”

“Sorry, sorry!” She grabs his shoulders, shaking him, “It's just…” Her green eyes glance at him, and she sighs, “You want him to like you so bad…” She chuckles, “I don't think you're used to someone not loving you after being around you for a few days. You're so impatient.”

“I've been nothing but nice to him! The least he could do is not kick the hell out of me in my own bed!” Nico whines, rubbing at his tired eyes, “He could also put in some kinda effort in being nice to the crew… At least until we're in Vincent…” 

“Well maybe he's not used to someone being nothing but nice to him without strings attached Nico…” Lana smiles gently, and her eyes soften as she sees that the blond really is frustrated. Nico scowls, and she nudges him with her elbow, “You should know… You used to be just like him.” She looks up at the sky thoughtfully for a moment before humming, “Hmmm, maybe not as scary and angry but you didn't trust easily… I know that much.”

Nico huffs, feeling annoyed and sleepy, “Lana he's been on this ship for weeks now… I barely know anything about him! By the second day James was on the ship I knew about all three of his past lovers!”

“People are different Nico!” Lana laughs softly, ruffling his hair, “Why am I explaining this to a fully grown man?”

“Because he's infuriating.” Nico pouts and Lana giggles at him, clearly enjoying his strife.

“No, because you think he's cute.” She says instead and Nico blubbers, stomach curling in a weird way.

“I barely know him.”

“And yet your eyes follow him anytime he moves.” His best friend flicks at his messy bangs, sniggering as she stands, “Just give him time silly.”

Nico watches her bounce over to Jacques, and the other man smiles brightly as she starts jabbing his shoulders. The captain sighs, looking down at the boards between his feet before pushing himself up, walking over to quarters with the intent to get some charting done- he's gotta write a letter to his mother too. If he shows up unannounced she just might shoot him.

He opens his door, and he quickly straightenes up, body taut as pheromones smack him in the face. He breathes in a sharp breath before hurrying in and slamming the door behind himself, heart immediately racing. 

The caramel smell in here is so damn thick that it feels like Nico’s stepped back into the kitchen with his old nanny Wiona while she was making her famous caramel cake. He covers his nose, swallowing down the pools of saliva that fill his gums as he moves further into the room, looking towards the bed. 

Luca sits there, back to the room as he presses his forehead against the wall. Nico blinks, hand still pressed against his lips as he walks over. The brunette has his legs curled beneath him, arms clutched around his abdomen as he huffs and puffs, body flushed pink from head to toe. 

Nico moves to the side of the bed, sitting down gingerly as he leans to look at the other boys face. The kids eyes are squeezed shut, body shuddering as he clenches his fingers into the shirt on his body, knuckles white. His nostrils flare as he breathes hard, stuttered breath making his chest shake as he winces. 

Nico huffs, slowly removing his hand from his mouth and nose, gaze lingering as Luca’s body shivers again, the omega clearly in pain of some sort, “Hey brat, you okay?” When Nico doesn't get an answer he reaches over, tapping his shoulder.

Luca flinches, eyes opening wide for a moment before they narrow almost immediately, setting the alpha with a heated side glare, “I'm fine.” He answers bitterly, and Nico frowns slightly- so he did hear him he was just ignoring him.

“Have you ate?” The blond watches those blue eyes look forward again, and slowly his expression falls, gaze glazing over as his fingers relax in the shirt.

“Can't.” He murmurs, and slowly his body clenches back up, fingers tightening in the dark green fabric of his shirt as he speaks through clenched teeth, “It's too fucking hot.”

“Just try…” Nico stands, walking over and finding some dried fruit sitting up on a shelf near the corner of the room, “Here…” He walks back over, holding it out towards him. When Luca doesn't even open his eyes to look at him Nico shakes his head, reaching over and touching the other man's hand.