𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

the silent mood swing (god help nico)

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

And for once, it wasn't because the Iron Lion base was asleep.

It was because Bea was sitting cross-legged in bed, arms folded, staring at absolutely nothing with a deeply troubled expression. She hadn't said a single word in twenty-three minutes and forty-five seconds.

Nico knew. He'd counted.

He stood at the doorway, still in his undershirt and loose pants, holding a cup of warm tea in one hand and a spoon in the other like they were weapons.

"...Sweetheart?" he offered gently.

Bea didn't look up.

Nico took a cautious step in. "I brought your tea. With the cinnamon stick you like."

Still silence.

He blinked, sat down at the edge of the bed, and reached out, only for Bea to slowly shift one inch away from him, like a wounded cat that wasn't ready to be touched.

Oh no.

"Okay," he whispered. "Okay. Cool. That's... normal. This is fine."

He placed the cup down on the side table and sat very still.

Then, carefully: "Did I... do something?"

Bea looked at him, slowly. Not angry. Not sad. Just blank.

That was somehow worse.

"I don't know," she said softly. "Did you?"

Oh gods.

Nico's brain short-circuited. Did I breathe wrong? Did I eat the last slice? Did I leave my boots on the bed again??

"I—" He cleared his throat. "...Yes?"

Bea sighed, still quiet, still devastatingly calm. "It's not about you."

Which was never true.

He reached out again, this time gently cupping her hand. She didn't pull away, but she didn't lean in either.

"I just feel... weird," she murmured. "Sad. Then annoyed. Then sad again. I wanted cake and then I wanted to cry and then I didn't know why I wanted either of those things. I wanted to be alone, but also I was mad that you weren't here five minutes ago."

Nico stared.

Bea blinked.

"...I'm confused, Nico."

And now he was confused. And terrified. And in love.

So he did the only thing he could.

He stood up, crossed the room, opened the door, and bellowed:

"FRYPAN I NEED EMERGENCY CHOCOLATE CAKE!"

From down the hallway: "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

"I DON'T KNOW!!"

Bea finally, finally giggled, soft and quiet, covering her face with both hands as her shoulders shook.

Nico returned to her side instantly, cupping her face gently.

"There it is," he whispered.

Bea sniffled, tears prickling at her lashes. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be like this."

He kissed her forehead. "Don't be sorry. You can be quiet, loud, weird, or crying about apples— I'm here."

She leaned against him, nose in his shirt.

"I'm not like Vicky," she mumbled. "She throws things. I just... think."

Nico laughed softly. "Yeah. And somehow that's scarier."

She elbowed him, playfully.

He smiled. "But I like it. All of it. Even the mood swings. Though I might start carrying cake slices in my coat pocket, just in case."

"Crumbs everywhere," Bea murmured.

"I've fought worse."