“What's his name?”

“I dunno Jacob, the dumbass just fainted right in front of me… I couldn't just leave him laying there like that. Plus he was losing so much blood…” Nico grumbles, wiping at his arms, fingers running over years old scars as he tosses the rag to the side, “Three big guys had him cornered. I think they were trying to steal his stuff.” The captain looks into the measly little satchel the guy had on him. He scrunches his nose up, “All he's got is a few shillings and some ratty old books though.”

Jacob hums, pressing some bandages against the boy's rib cage, “Well, it's good you brought ‘im here… He woulda died a blood loss otherwise.” The old man says, “Hmhm.”

Nico sits on one of the cots in the crew's quarters, watching as his old friend presses gauze and whatnot to the new man's skin. His face is pale from blood loss but he's otherwise tan, skin golden from long days in the sun. He has scars lacing up and down his body. Many of them look old and faded, some are more prominent and stubbly- they look like they came from a whip. He should know, he has plenty lacing down his own back. He has freckles lacing every inch of him, and his hair is just a tad lighter than it looks in the darkness of the alleyway, but not much different otherwise. His body is toned, muscle lacing every feature. But he is small, and up close like this Nico knows for sure that he isn't more than five foot seven- if that. 

“Will he be alright?” The alpha asks after a long moment of silence, seeing how the smaller guy's chest is moving just a bit too shallowly. 

“I believe so.” Jacob says gently, dabbing at the guy's face, fingers brushing against small golden earrings and making them tinkle- the guy has three earrings in each ear. The young man jerks in his sleep but otherwise doesn't move. Jacob chuckles, “Oh yes, he'll be fine. Look at those reflexes.”

Nico nods slowly, taking in a long breath, “Well Jacob… I guess we'll save our booze for another night.” He smiles at the old man.

Jacob waves out an absent-minded hand, “Ohh, we'll get another chance there cap’in. No worries here.” He says and Nico nods, looking back at the small man again.

“Should I keep him in my quarters? The fellas will be back by morning. I'm sure they'll want their cots…”

“I would sir, yes.” Jacob strokes his long gray beard, saggy eyes contemplative, “It might be better for his body too… These cots just aren't suited for someone in recovery.”

“Alright…” Nico grunts as he stands, grabbing the bag of booze and the new man's bag, “Can you put these away Jacob?”

“Yes sir.”

“I'm gonna be sick.”

“That's what you get for going crazy all night.” Nico grins as he lays his hand between the wheel handles languidly, looking at his best friend with a smug grin, “What's wrong? Hungover?”

“Fuck you Lysander.” Lana throws him an offensive digit, and Nico sniggers as he looks out at the ocean, watching as the sun glimmers across the waves.

“Where are we off to now?” Lana asks after a few long moments of silence. Nico hums, hazel eyes dazed and tired.

“Our next stop will probably be Vincent.” He says, pressing the back of his hand to his mouth as he stifles a yawn, “We’ll spend a few nights there just like usual, then probably Canova to see Mother-”

Lana scoffs, raising a brow, “Oh what a treat that'll be-”

Nico snorts, “Yeah I know, but it's the closest base we've got before the open sea… And then hopefully-”

“Diadem.” Lana says softly.

Nico nods, smiling gently, “Yeah… Diadem.”

They sit there in silence for a long time, the very thought of that gorgeous, glittering, fictional island making them both wonder about their lives. It always has, even when they were just snot nosed teens joking about it. Sometimes he wonders what those teens would say if they saw them now. 

“Well, I'm gonna go see if Jacques wants to have a throwing up contest.” Lana says wearily, grunting as she stands, “Talk to ya later munchkin.” 

Nico hums, looking back at James who’s been sitting behind him on a crate for quite a while now, “Hey James, wanna man the wheel for a bit?”

James groans, looking up at the blond as he nods wearily, eyes closed against the sun, “Sure captain. Maybe it'll help my wavy legs.”

Nico snorts at him, leaving the heaving man to it as he heads downstairs. He goes around the steps and towards the door, “I'll be in my quarters!” He announces. 

“Aye captain!”

The heavy door closes with a clack, and he sighs as he takes off his coat and hat for the day, looking over towards his bed.