Markus hummed in response, adjusting his hold on Nikolas to make it more comfortable for both of them, never letting go of his hand. He didn't speak, just held him. Silence seemed a bit better than saying anything, allowing him to listen to Nik's breathing, to relish in just the comfort of being there with him. In being able to hold him. That, itself, felt like a miracle. Even feels God-given, at that.
My Other Half // PRIVATE with Crocs
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Nikolas, honestly, felt comfortable enough to fall sleep in Markus' hold and lap. And it wasn't the typical comfort people thought of. It was the emotional and mental comfort, the ease he felt around the other male. He felt like he could open up to Markus and trust him, perhaps with his life if he really did fall asleep right about now. I need more coffee… he thought as he kept his eyes closed to hide how tired he felt.
If Nikolas had fallen asleep, Markus wouldn't have blamed him. Hell, he'd have too, if he wasn't keeping an eye on the traffic in case it started to move again. "Take a nap, Niky. I'll wake ya if we start movin' again." He murmured softly, shifting his head to press a kiss to Nikolas' shoulder. "Ya need sleep."
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"I slept last night," Nikolas grumbled, growing stubborn. He didn't want to fall asleep, especially when on the road and especially when he was the one supposed to be driving. Even still, he found himself snuggling into Markus and slowly dozing off. Second time I've fallen asleep around him.
"Sweet dreams, sweetheart." Markus murmured as he heard Nikolas' breathing slow slightly. His lips quirked up in a small smile, and he shifted so that Nikolas was closer to laying down, arms holding him tight against his chest. If the boy in his arms moved, he would loosen them, but for now, he'd stay like this. Holding him closely.
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Nikolas murmured something that was more mumble than words, and he slipped into unconsciousness without even realizing it. His head slowly lolled to the side, and it wasn't long before his lips were slightly parted and a very light—almost purr-light—snore escaped every now and again. His nap was dreamless but really nice, a much-needed thing considering how he barely got any sleep this week.
Markus' phone went off just as he climbed out of Nikolas' car, and he leaned against the door to check it. It was a text.
[work ran late. i'll be there in an hour, tops]
He furrowed his brows. Lily only said that work had ran late when things had gone….not well. Which meant he'd have to wait to question her until she was here for work.
Shit, work. He was stuck alone, with that many animals to take care of. Unless…
"You wanna stick around a li'l longer?" Markus asked, ducking back down to look in the window. He arched a brow at Nikolas, shooting him a slightly crooked smile. "Lily'll be late t'day, an' I could use the extra hands, if you're willin'….The animals're usually pretty well behaved. Most o' 'em."
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Nikolas had been getting ready to go back to the treehouse to take a much-needed nap when Markus ducked his head down and spoke. He rose a brow and leaned back in his seat, listening to the question. "Hmm, I wouldn't mind sticking around for a bit." He offered a crooked grin and shut off the car, though he didn't get out just yet. "And I'll be fine. I'm used to misbehaved animals. I deal with Tess on a daily basis."
Any excuse to stay with Markus was as good as any. Plus, it'd be nice to get to know him a little better, to see him in his element and at a place he was familiar with. Soon, he'd be around someone he was close to as well, so that would be interesting to watch unfold before he inevitably left.
Markus barked out a laugh, that rich and semi-incredibly actual laugh, stepping away from the car. "Perfect. Though, I almost think Tess is a bit more trouble'n these guys. I'll go start unlockin' everythin', Dave said he left only like ten minutes ago. Ya can park in the staff spots if ya want. Jus' don't park in the emergency space." He advised, lifting his hand in a wave before turning and heading for the clinic.
The little animal shelter that double as an emergency veterinary clinic wasn't very flashy, but it was sort of home to Markus. In fact, it had been where he'd met Lily once upon a time, when both of them had been volunteers hoping to get a job eventually. They'd clicked the first time he had watched her wrangle a gator that had to have been at least twice her size, and she'd dubbed him her new best friend.
When Markus finally got the door unlocked, the greetings he received had him grinning ear to ear. Any animal that could make noise was making that noise, just his arrival triggering that. "Mornin', kiddos! Hope ya been good since I saw ya last."
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Nikolas waved to Markus, then started the car back up again so he could go and park in an actual spot. It didn't take long, and he wasted no time in shutting it off again and getting out. Nikolas walked over to the door, smothering a yawn, and opened it. Markus was still there, and Nikolas was still sleepy, so he did what his brain instantly told him to do: come up behind Markus, wrap his arms around his waist, and plant his face against his back. "Mm," Nikolas hummed, smiling at how Markus was acting towards the animals. "You sound like a mother hen."
"Feels like it, half the time." Markus said with a snort, his hands finding Nikolas' to rest on top of them. "They're like children. Furry'n scaley an' feathered, sometimes slimy children. But I love 'em all, even the few that've bit me." He said, lifting a hand to motion into the clinic. "Waddya say t' an introduction, darlin'?"
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Nikolas hummed and peeled himself away from Markus, but he didn't go far. He came to the other boy's side and slipped his hand into his, lacing their fingers together. Like a glove, he thought with a bit of amusement, noting how his hand was slightly smaller than Markus'. Just like everything that seemed to be with Markus, it was unfamiliar but not unlikable. Just gotta amp up my top energy. That thought threatened to bring upon a snort.
Markus grinned down at Nikolas, that crooked and goofy, slightly lovestruck expression of his. He gave Nikolas' hand a squeeze and led him along, pointing out different animals. "We keep the safer ones near the front. The chill birds, common household pets. Like Nikolas Cage, the bird with the bright feathers right o'er there. Or Mika and her puppies." He explained, stopping to let Nikolas actually get a good look at all of them. "My favorite part o' the clinic has gotta be out back, though."
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Nikolas smirked slightly at the bird's name, drifting over to the cage without letting go of Markus' hand. His eyes scanned the cage and the bird itself, then he did the same to Mike. Except, this time, he let go of Markus without thinking about it and grinned, crouching down to get a better look at her. He had adopted his dad's love for dogs, so it was no surprise that he adored the puppies he saw. "They're cute," he said as he stood, then came over to Markus again, hand in hand almost instantly. "What's out back?" he asked, tilting his head curiously, almost like that of a puppy himself.
“They are. She just gave birth a week ago, so we’re lettin’ the puppies get old enough before we start tryin’ t’ get them adopted.” Markus said, watching Nikolas with a fond smile. He likes dogs. I’ll have to keep that in mind. Markus’ eyes lit up with a wicked spark when Nikolas asked, and he grabbed his hand, tugging him along through the building to the door out into what used to be a fenced in empty lot. “You’ll love this.”
The lot wasn’t a lot anymore. They’d spent the entirety of one summer turning it into various enclosed habitats, kiddie pools and bigger pools and large actual habitats spread throughout the area, which had been remade. The concrete had been torn up with the help of some not so legally acquired construction equipment, and grass had been planted. There was, of all things, a deer munching on grass in one far corner of the lot, but Markus headed straight for one of the bigger pools that had been turned into makeshift habitats. “She’s o’er here.”
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Nikolas was slightly worried when he saw that spark in Markus' eye, but he allowed himself to be pulled along without a fuss. His eyes curiously traveled along the 'back' that Markus had brought him to, his attention catching on the deer and the random make-shift habitats and pools of water. "This is… not what I expected," he said slowly, still incredibly curious as he followed close to Markus. He briefly felt a wash of fatigue, his dragon's protest at being awake during the day and being outside in the sun. Nikolas let out a soft sigh and rested his cheek on Markus' shoulder, giving himself a small breather without actually giving away his tiredness. It'd pass soon enough.
Markus furrowed his brows, steps drawing to a stop as he looked at Nikolas. “Hey, you good? Should we do this another time or somethin’? If ya need a nap, lemme know.” He said, voice lowering in worry as he wrapped an arm around Nikolas. “It’s not exactly a necessary thing. Jus’ somethin’ cool.” He didn’t want to wear Nikolas out too much, and was slightly worried he might be sick or something.
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Nikolas chuckled softly at Markus' worry, only used to that kind of concern from Tess nowadays. He could remember his parents getting worried over trivial things, but the memory of that was fuzzy, just like most things. He couldn't even remember their faces, only a vague picture of how he had viewed them as a child. Even still, Nikolas unconsciously sunk into Markus' touch as he kissed his shoulder. "I'm fine, promise. Just gimme a minute and I'll stop hanging off of you." He looked up at the other boy and smiled genuinely, showing that he was perfectly fine with the slight sparkle to his eyes. There were still slight clouds of black fog seemingly drifting over the silver, but it was almost as if they scattered some when he looked up at Markus.
“You can always hang offa me.” Markus said, tilting his head down to press a kiss to the top of Nikolas’, smiling. “Makes me feel sturdy. Take all the time ya need, darlin’. Just can’t guarantee I can take all that time with ya, sadly.” He made a face, tightening his arm around the boy leaning against him just a bit. He knew he had to get to work eventually, and Nikolas would have to get going to do his own thing. But suddenly, he found himself really not wanting to stop spending time with Nikolas.
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Nikolas smiled softly at the kiss on his head, and it grew into a smirk when he saw that look on Markus' face. That, paired with the tightening hold on him, made him reach up and grasp Markus' chin to bring his head down again. "I know what you're thinking," he murmured, then tilted his head up to press an actual kiss to the other boy's lips, "I'm sure you can stand just a few hours without me. You've done it before." His words were soft and full of humor as he spoke against Markus' lips.
Markus huffed slightly, shifting to wrap his other arm around Nikolas and face him better, careful not to disrupt him. “That was before, sorta. I don’ like the feelin’ I get when I can’ see ya for too long. Feels empty.” He complained against Nikolas’ lips, still making that face, even as he played with Nikolas’ shirt.
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Nikolas thought it was adorable that Markus didn't like being away from him for long, but also knew that it might prove a problem when it came to them needing to part ways. He sighed softly and barely blinked as he slid his hand into Markus' pocket to pull out the boy's phone. Nikolas smirked and tapped the device against Markus' chest twice. "There are these wonderful things, love. If you desperately can't stand it, just call or text me. Once I give you my number."
"Then give me a number, so we can talk when we can' see each other. Your number, no' just any random number." Markus corrected quickly, arching a brow down at Nikolas. His cheeks were dusted slightly red, both at being called out like that, and because of Nikolas' hand having been in his pocket. Not a place he was really expecting, and not an action he was expecting either.
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Nikolas arched a brow at the pink cheeks, his smirk only deepening as he turned on the phone and was met with a pin. He sighed a bit dejectedly, then handed Markus his phone back. "I'll tell you my number so you can put it in." Seeing how there was a lock on the phone, Nikolas figured Markus wouldn't want anyone snooping—not that he would, but he'd rather have Markus input his number instead of him taking the device again.
“Oh, yeah. Forgot abou’ that. Guess it don’t seem as important when I’m with someone who ain’t gonna be lookin’ for a reason to cut me off from food.” Markus mused, entering his pin quickly. “It’s uh, 1225. Figure you’re alright knowin’.” He just hoped Nikolas didn’t realize that the numbers were a date, Christmas, to be exact. That had been his favorite holiday, back when he was little, and those had been the first numbers he had thought of.
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Nikolas frowned at that tidbit into Markus' personal life. He was, unfortunately, well acquainted with that sort of treatment, and he didn't want anyone else to go through it, especially Markus. He didn't comment on it, nor did he verbally point out the significance of those particular numbers, simply pulled out his own phone and entered the pin. "0616 is mine," he said casually, not worried about Markus snooping, as there wasn't much for him to get into. The only thing Nikolas really used his phone for was pictures—all consisting of friends and family, sometimes of cars—texting and calling, and music. Nothing was worth digging into or worrying about.
Markus blinked, glancing up at Nikolas. He couldn't help the feeling that that was something subtly specially, the sharing of trust. And it brought a smile to his face. "Promise not t' steal your phone and take a bunch o' stupid pictures for ya t' find later. Lily did that t' me once, but it was a bunch of pictures of the animals here at work. Not too bad a surprise, if I'm bein' honest." He joked, fingers hovering over the screen as he waited for Nikolas' phone number.
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Nikolas chuckled and glanced up at Markus with a smile. "If you ever do take a bunch of stupid pictures, I won't be the one to find them. Tess has a bad habit of stealing my stuff." He didn't look too fazed about that as he rattled off his number to Markus, then rose his brows at the text that came in.
'Hey babe! Cin and I are back and I'm here to stay. Cali is nice nd all, but I missed home'
Another one came right after.
'If you couldn't tell, I'm talking about you ;P'
Nikolas rolled his eyes and muttered, "Dork."
"Good t' know." Markus said, huffing a laugh as he entered the number. Naming the contact 'starboy', for a reason he really couldn't quite name, he saved it, shooting a smiley face to save his number to Nikolas' phone. Glancing up, he arched a brow at Nikolas' eyeroll. "Either you're callin' me a dork, or someone else. I'm bettin' the latter. Friend?"
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Nikolas quickly saved Markus' number after sending a winky face back, then switched contacts and showed Markus his screen. "Wolf. He and his sister just came back from business in California. Some sort of family business to handle, I think. They usually come and go like ghosts, but from the sounds of it, they're done." He was happy that he got his friend back—he had missed the flirtatious dork.