Deadly Gems

WHen the other began to pull away, the anger in Babby’s face melted into worry. “Morgan, I…I didn’t mean to yell at you like….actually yell. I just don’t like seeing you hurt and I want you to be better.” He said softly, his voice filled with emotion as he spoke. Leaning down, he pressed a soft lingering kiss to the other’s lips. “I’m sorry, I just want you to feel better and be better.”

Nix frowned at his cousin’s revealing statement about how he felt towards his abilities. “I get what you mean,” he says with a small smile. “I know this is no way a comparison, and I’ll never understand what it’s like to be a child of Hades. But as a member of the deaf community, and one that had their hearing as a child, it’s pretty frustrating.  People made fun of the way I talked, or they’d cover their mouths while speaking so I couldn’t understand them on purpose. Quite frustrating. It took me a long time to realize I shouldn’t pay any mind to them.”

He nodded, his lips lowering into a thin line. “You need to get it checked. I guarantee Baby will be a hell of a lot happier knowing someone else was also looking out for you and made you go- rather than seeing that wound on his own.” 

Morgan placed a hand on Nix’s shoulder “No way. You are worlds stronger than I could ever be. You handle yourself with grace and strength. It is really admirable, Nix,” He said honestly, finding his cousin to be much more of a wonderful person than Morgan was. Morgan wished he could find that self confidence and self worth. “And you know I would eviscerate any of those people who made fun of you if I ever saw them,” He said seriously.

“I’m happy. Of course I am, Morgan.” Ella assured him and gently pinched his cheek. “You know I can’t say a bad thing for anyone here.” She reached and relaxed her hand on his forearm, lightly leading him for a stroll. “You know, you could have taken me with you.”

“You can’t? That’s probably some kind of record, because there’s so many different people here. I must say that even I have some grievances with people around camp.“ Morgan grumbled, though he did find her optimism and kindness refreshing. “I would have taken you with me, but I was much too afraid that I would have attracted too much danger and hurt someone.”

Baby was fuming when the other took his shirt off. “Are you kidding me?!?! I am gonna fucking worry because that looks gross and like it hurts and you need fucking stitches!” He yelled, punching the other’s arm for emphasis. “You have to let me fix you up…”

“I wish it were possible for us to switch powers. I’d love to have the chance to mess around with necromancy and watch you play around with the water Though I think I’d worry that I’d become as quiet and reserved as you.” he says with a small smile, motioning for the other to follow him to his bedroom. Nix winced watching the other in pain and wandered over to his cabinent and rifled through for ambrosia and nectar that he kept on hand. “Here,” he says offering the small cube of the food of the gods. “You need to go to the infirmary, Morg. Before it gets worse than it already is. I know you’re using your shadows to keep the wound in check is just draining you even more. And you need your strength. And of course Baby is going to yell at you. You’re being kind of stupid,cousin.” 

“That sounds god awful.” he says with a groan. He can only imagine what his life would be like if he was forced to practice his control form and shape of his  hold over water everyday. But he supposed with such an intense ability like shadowtraveling it would make sense that his cousin would need to practice. “Morg you really should get that checked out, it’s not looking to help. I get you don’t want to bother them, but you’ll worry everyone even more if you get worse and they don’t find out until it’s.. well worse then it already is.” 

“Well, I mean if I ever need a handy dandy explosive I’ll do that, otherwise, I’ll jsut treasure them. Sentimental gain only.”  He confirmed before smiling at the kisses he was receiving from the male beside him. When the other revealed what happened, his smile instantly turned into a look of concern and he sat up. “You got stabbed?! Are you fucking kidding me?!?! Did–Did you get patched up? Do I need to fix you?!” He asked, quickly lifting up the other’s shirt to search for a wound.”

Morgan was surprised that the other boy had gotten so upset so quickly. He pulled off his shirt and pointed to a slightly nasty looking wound on his lower chest, that was covered in shadows “It’ looks a lot worse than it is. The shadows numb the pain, and ambrosia will probably take care of the rest. Don’t worry, love,”

“Jewelry? Me? Presents? Well now I’m excited about all of that. I love a good sentimental gift you know.” He hummed, hand going down to play with the rings on the other’s fingers. Listening to him, he entangled his legs with the other’s long ones. “I bet. It’s been like…ages since you’ve been out, right? That must be a lot to go alone.” He said, voice getting quiet. “You gotta tell me the next time you are going to up and disappear on me….okay?”

“I love making presents, just make sure you never use them for financial gain, or my father has a tendency to make them cursed and then they explode. But as long as you love them but not try and profit, you’ll be good,” He smiled and kissed Baby’s cheek, liking when the other boy wrapped his legs up with his own. “It was scary, and I sort of, uh got stabbed by a manticore. I’m not disappearing any time soon, I promise you. And if I do, I will tell you,”

“I don’t really know that much about it. I guess Hades kids are the people to go to about metal queries though,” he told the other, unaware of his powers. “Eros is always popular around Valentine’s Day. The amount of magic items or stashed drachma I have from setting people up on dates is absurd,” Elliott told the other with a small laugh. “You can do that? That’s a very handy trip and of course you can as long as you bring me one for a gift.” 

“The Hephaestus kids are pretty talented as well,” Morgan chuckled before cocking an eyebrow at Elliot “See, nobody gives me gifts or money on Halloween, and I always make it as scary as I possibly can,” He laughed, the thought of people tipping him for a good Halloween was almost too much for him to bear. “Of course I’ll bring one for a gift, though I was planning on making a more elaborate crown for you. Might as well use these powers for something interesting.”

“Not my choice, it’s what’s in my training schedule. They just… work me harder I suppose. I’m shocked that your days aren’t as intense as mine .. and maybe they are and I’m just really shit at being a fighter.” he says with a shrug. At the mention of the Eros boy his face burns. “Yeah I know who you’re talking about. Elliott Parker. We’re uh.. seeing each other right now.” He says sheepishly. At the news of the boy’s travels, his mouth dropped open. “Morgan, what in Hades??? Are you alright?” 

“Well, I did Cardio, worked on getting up the rock wall in under three minutes, sparring with the Ares cabin. Hydrokinesis practice. More cardio. Abs, back, and shoulders. I basically ran myself into the ground. I’ve got archery lessons later, but I have a while and I smell so I figured I’d shower now and spare people from smelling my stink.” he groans as he stretches, finally caving in and leaning against the wall. “It’s thrilling I suppose. I’d love to hear the bustle of the city. It just moves fast to me. I’m sorry that it was overwhelming. I know the feeling. I get a bit.. flustered when I’m in large groups of people and everyone is talking at once.” 

“No idea but I don’t think it’s made of celestial bronze or imperial gold. This is the first time I’ve used it, I was looking at other stuff it can be and I think it’s adamantine,” Elliott told him. “The arrows are cool though. They’re heart shaped tips just to really drive home the Eros vibe,” he said to Morgan with a small laugh. “Oh obviously I’ve got the hats. You have to wear one as well if you want to enter the party.” 

“Oh, that’s almost as good as Stygian Iron,” Morgan teased, looking over the bow with renewed interest. He loved metals, gems, and other earthen materials--thanks to his parentage. “You’ll be real popular around valentines day, that’s for sure. Though you’d probably kill someone with the arrows instead of making them fall in love,” He chuckled again and hummed “If I have to wear a party hat, can it at least be made out of diamonds? I can make one,”

Nix nodded slowly, looking at his cousin. His demeanor did a complete 180 seeing who had stepped out of the bathroom. Naturally, he knew Morgan wasn’t exactly the sort to pull a stunt like this just to irritate him. “It’s fine Morg.” he says carefully because he can tell the other looks exhausted beyond words can tell. “I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just tired from training today. Are you alright?” 

Elliott nodded enthusiastically as Morgan spoke about his father. “Yeah! I actually woke up this morning with this bow and a quiver of arrows in my room. I think it might be from him,” he told him, telling him excitedly as he was the first person he had seen that morning. “Pleasure to meet you Morgan. I’d love to say yes to skeleton servants but I’m not sure they’re the msot festive looking servants. Unless we stick hats on them…” 

“That’s really cool! Does it do anything special when you use it or anything? My staff from my dad can create a dome-shield around me when I will it to,” Morgan loved his staff, Lychnítis, so he could imagine how happy Elliott must have felt upon receiving his bow. “Pleasure is mine,” Morgan hummed softly “I could have them wear party hats...as long as you provide the hats,” He chuckled.

“Oooo stabby stabby” He teased lightly as he laid with the other. Hearing the other speak about gems, he couldn’t help but smile. “You really really like them…that’s so cool.” He said with a small hum. “I think they are all pretty, so maybe you’ll just have to show me what is cool about each one of them.” He said as he curled into the other. “Yeah? is that cause you get to touch my butt?”

Morgan blushed a ton and buried his head into Baby’s neck “I can show you, there’s a lot of different stones, so I can make you all kind of jewelry,” Morgan kissed his cheek again “More than that, I just like being back with you. It was really overwhelming and actually quite frightening,” He whispered.

“At least you can admit it - but practice makes perfect and all that,” he responded, shooting from his bow again at his own target. “I’m flattered but no. Elliott Parker, son of Eros.” Elliott said, introducing himself as he watched the shadow fetch the dagger. “I’m assuming you’re not a child of Iris?” He joked. “And maybe. If I do, you’ll be invited just because having shadow helpers can’t be a bad thing.” 

Morgan nodded “Yeah, that’s probably true,” He watched the boy loose another arrow and hit the target. “Son of Eros. That makes sense, he’s got a bow and arrow too doesn’t he? Like Cupid’s arrows and all that?” Morgan asked, taking the dagger from the shadow and dissipating the shadow. “I’m Morgan Cavanaugh, son of Hades,” He chuckled “Yeah, the shadows can be helpful, but if you want, I could bring a few skeleton servants?”

“Do you bop them on the head? I kinda wanna see you use it now…” He said with a grin. He grinned at the other wider at his question. “That’s because I don’t know enough about them.” He said with a shrug. “But you could….you know….teach me.” He said with a grin. Being pulled onto the bed, he leaned against the other happily. “Yeah all alone, just like you like”

“Sometimes, but also sometimes I get ‘em with my dagger,” Morgan chuckled and pretended to shank the air. “There’s a lot of good gems, my favorites are garnets, and opals, but I’m also fond of pearls, bloodstone, and moonstones. But then again, sometimes I’m really into citrine, rose quartz, and sunstones.” Morgan said excitedly, loving talking about gems. Morgan pulled him close and hummed “I like being alone with you”