"Hopefully it ain't family problems that're super bad." Markus said, squinting at Nikolas' screen. He snorted at the messages, tucking away his phone. "He sound like you, even o'er text." He commented, tucking his hands in his pockets and hunching his shoulders slightly. A comfortable posture this time. "How long ya known him and his sister?"
My Other Half // PRIVATE with Crocs
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Nikolas scoffed and stuck his tongue out at Markus as he answered Wolf. After a moment of deliberation, he quickly snapped a picture of Markus and sent it to the other male.
'Hanging out with him for now.'
The reply was almost instantaneous.
'ooooo he cute.'
'He's mine'
Nikolas didn't need to see Wolf to know he was sticking his tongue out at the screen, and it was soon confirmed by the male's narration of what he was doing. Nikolas didn't bother to respond, just tucked his phone into his pocket and looked up at Markus, smiling. He had noticed that Markus hunched when he was comfortable, which was nice to know. Meant that was easier for Nikolas to reach him. Speaking of…
Nikolas tipped his head up and nipped at the male's bottom lip with a playful smirk. "A few years. Tess met Cinthia when they were younger. Richie riches. They own the house Tess and I live in."
Markus' cheeks flamed at the biting at his lip, but he didn't pull his head away, just ducked it. "Huh. Wonder what tha's like, havin' money like that. I could buy so many books I could fill a whole damn library with 'em. So many books…" He trailed off, thinking about that before seeming to realize that he was still talking. "Anyway, tha's still kinda cool. That they're lettin' ya live there, or givin' ya lodgin'." He said, smiling down at Nikolas. "Ya got some good friends, seems like."
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Nikolas grinned when that blush bloomed so quickly, doing it again for good measure before backing away an inch. "It's like a sanctuary of a sorts. Lotta people live there, just almost never at the same time. I met them all through Tess—she met Cintha first, and then met everyone else before dragging me into the web. Cin put me in charge of the house, so that's how I got my spot." Nikolas found it cute how he was thinking about spending the kind of money the twins had on books, quite possibly a library or bookstore if Kora ever met up with him. Gods know she'd try to implant that plan into his head so they could share.
"You're like…a guardian angel o' troubled kids." Markus decided, his cheeks still red as his hands found Nikolas' waist, not for any purpose other than to hold him. His smile was soft as he looked down at Nikolas, those brown eyes of his glowing slightly in the sunlight. The deer had migrated closer to them, curiously eyeing Nikolas from behind Markus, like it was hiding behind him from a distance. "Ya still doin' alright, darlin'? Or should we go inside, an' I can come back out here t' feed e'ryone?"
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Nikolas huffed a soft laugh, tucking his head beneath Markus' chin as he came closer again, face pressed against his chest and arms wrapped around the boy's torso. "I guess so," he murmured. He tipped his head to the side just a fraction as he listened to Markus' questions, doing a mental check of his mind and body. Nikolas didn't feel super tired anymore, but he also didn't want to pull away from Markus just yet, even if he knew he had work to get to. "I'm fine, yeah," he eventually decided, "What's the thing you wanted to show me? And I think that deer is confused."
"That's Bambi, name courtesy o' our local Disney princess. He's always confused." Markus said with a chuckled laugh, the sound causing a slight rumble in his chest. Remembering that he had been about to show Nikolas something, though, brought an excited light to his face. "Right. Ya gotta let go o' me though, so I can show ya. Kinda need my hands for this one." He said, reluctantly releasing Nikolas, though not without pressing a kiss to the top of his head.
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Nikolas buried his face even more into Markus' chest and tightened his hold on him, whining that he didn't want to with an incredibly thick Greek accent. He was almost like a child refusing to let go of something, and quite frankly, he didn't care. Markus was comfy and he didn't get hugs that often, something he didn't realize he missed until the boy came into the picture. He'd get more tonight, but he was still reluctant to let go. "Two more seconds," he bargained into Markus' chest, too lazy to force his voice to switch back to American.
That drew a full laugh out of Markus, and he wrapped his arms back around Nikolas, tucking the older boy’s head under his chin. “Fine, fine. Ya know, I do hafta get t’ work eventually. Guess if ya wanted, I could probably carry ya around. For at least part o’ it. Not with Tiky here, but around the clinic itself. Like a koala.”
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Nikolas snorted and let himself soak up Markus' warmth for approximately 2 seconds, then unwrapped his arms from around the other boy and placed his palms against his stomach. "I'd rather walk, but thanks for the offer." He still wasn't used to being carried, so he'd rather that be in a controlled environment where a panic attack would be the least public and destructive. Oh gods, I still have to tell him…
“Fair enough, lemme know if ya change your mind.” Markus offered with a shrug and goofy grin, completely unaware of the reasons Nikolas hated being picked up. He took a step back, swooping down to peck Nikolas’ lips, before grabbing his hand and tugging him along. “Stand a bit back from the pool. He’s a thrasher around new people, so I ain’t sure how well he’s gonna behave. He’s just an overgrown baby though, don’ worry. Won’t bite, just might hit ya.”
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Nikolas was quite happy with the peck and Markus unknowingly giving him the boundaries he needed when it came to being handled like that. He followed after him when he felt his hand being taken and tugged. As he listened to Markus, he cocked his head to the side and made a face. "I… am concerned," he said slowly, eyeing the pool they were approaching with equal mix caution and curiosity. Realistically, as a dragon, he was pretty much set when it came to being top predator, and Markus didn't seem all that concerned. Instinctively, however, he was still wary of this mystery creature.
“Don’ be! He’s fine, I promise. Did take a chunk outta my arm once, but he had good reason’ t’ do that. Still don’ get how Lily calmed him down. ‘Nother one of those weird lullabies.” Markus mused, releasing Nikolas’ hand a few feet from the pool. He continued over, stepping up onto the footstool next to it, which wasn’t exactly necessary at his height. Leaning over the edge, he clicked his tongue and whistled, reaching out when he caught sight of something.
And then, of all things, he pulled out an alligator nearly his height, arms wrapped around the strangely complacent creature. “This is Tick-Tock, also courtesy o’ our Disney princess.”
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Nikolas blinked. And blinked again. And the first thought that managed to squeak through his head was Looks like Markus has another reptile. The thought was more amusing than it should've been, but he was not expecting an alligator, and especially one that size. It reminded him of the circuses in Greece, before they were banned last year, and it honestly stunned him, as this was a shelter, not a circus. He closed his open mouth and angled his head, eyes narrowed in half amusement, half confusion. "Well then."
Markus barked out another one of those musical laughs of his, wiggling his torso slightly to wiggle the large gator. “He ain’t the biggest we’ve had in here. Tha’s why we got t’ keep him while he healed, instead o’ send in’ him to a reserve or somethin’. Funny enough, the surgery we did was to remove an actual clock from his stomach. Hence Lily’s choice in name. Ya wanna come say hello?” He asked, eyes sparkling as he tilted his head at Nikolas.
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Nikolas looked up at Markus and smiled. The boy was absolutely adorable as he held the alligator, and that laugh brightened Nikolas' mood. He grinned and came over, slow and careful to not spook the fellow reptile. "Well, with a face like that, I can't exactly refuse." He smirked up at Markus as he got close, kissing the boy's cheek before turning his attention to the alligator—Tick-Tock. "I take it you guys take in any and every kind of animal in need?"
"We do. We've had big cats back here, snappers, a handful of piranhas, and a peacock. I think a mountain goat, too, though it mighta been just a normal goat who hadn't gotten a haircut." Markus listed off, smiling down at Nikolas. Tick-Tock eyed Nikolas warily, but didn't do anything other than wiggle a bit before settling. "Oh, an' a little reef shark. She was adorable, but we had t' send her t' the marine life center down at the coast."
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"You're all nuts," Nikolas decided with a soft laugh, eyes falling onto Tick-Tock. Curse his dragon for this, but he automatically did the lizard thing and lifted his hand in a friendly wave, greeting the alligator like that of a lizard might do. "Chaire," he smoothly added, so he didn't seem like even more of a weirdo. He then looked up at Markus with a raised brow and quirked lip. "But I'm happy you're doing your best to help all that you can. Kinda means a lot to someone, while not an animal," sorta, "that didn't get much willing help."
"Maybe so, but at least we're havin' fun an' doin' good." Markus said, adjusting his grip on the gator to tickle under his chin, earning some more wriggling. After a moment, he carefully hefted him back into the pool, turning back to Nikolas. "We take people too, if that makes ya feel good. Or, I do, at least. Specifically pretty boys with star-eyes and nerdy tendencies. An' pretty cars."
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The more Markus spoke, the more his smile threatened to erupt over his lips. He allowed just a hint of an upturn to his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned to the side slightly, head tipping the same way. "Oh yeah? I think I'd like to meet these pretty boys. They sound interesting—and hot. I wonder if any will let me take them home…" he trailed off, trying so hard not to grin.
Markus' face made it obvious he wasn't sure how to react to that. There was a twinge of jealousy in the twitching of his lips, but he concealed it, looking away quickly. "There's two things that could be called, considerin' I was talkin' about you." He grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. "An' I'd really rather not think abou' those."
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Nikolas rolled his eyes and snuck his fingers between Markus' crossed arms, holding onto him so he could balance himself while he stood up onto his toes. "I'm kidding, babe. I know you were talking about me, and I'm immensely grateful for your cheesy declaration and willingness to 'take me in'." He pressed a quick kiss on the boy's jaw in an apology.
Markus just harrumphed, brows drawing down as his face settled into a scowl. Maybe he was messing with Nikolas himself, partly. He was definitely a bit grumpy about the teasing, though. To be fair, he was always grumpy. Even as his cheeks flushed, he kept his grumpy appearance, scowling off to the side. "Yeah. A'ight. Whatever ya say."
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Nikolas ducked his head to the crook of Markus' neck, dropping back down to his feet as he nuzzled into the boy's neck. "I'm sorry~" he whined, trying to get his bubbly and goofy Markus back, "You're the only one I'd want to take home." Nikolas parted his lips and let his tongue flick out, his piercing brushing against the boy's skin as he kissed the same spot over and over again, though he didn't work the skin enough for a mark to show. Not yet, at least.
Markus bit his lip as hard as he could, trying to hold back the noise of surprise—and maybe the groan—threatening to make itself known. His scowl flickered for a moment, before returning even deeper. "Nice try, Niky. I'm still not happy with ya." His composure was very obviously wavering, though, lips occasionally twitching like he was fighting a smile.
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Nikolas flicked his eyes up at Markus, deciding to ask his body language how he really felt. He's always been more observant than the average person, but he picked up on it more when in foster care for reasons he didn't care for. Nikolas smirked when he saw Markus' resolve wavering, then acted without thinking—that's to say, his dragon threw a fit. He managed to keep his canines back as his teeth lightly scraped against Markus' neck, then bit down some as he continued to swirl his tongue over the skin.
As soon as Nikolas’ teeth met his neck, Markus crumpled. He let out that startled sound that had been caught on his lips, freezing almost immediately. His hands came up to find Nikolas’s sides, eyes wide. “Wh-what are you-“ He couldn’t speak, face bright red and slightly dazed at the strange mess of feelings rushing through him. He’d never taken himself as a biting guy, but this-this was something else. This was incredible and heart pounding.
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Nikolas smirked and pulled back some, kissing the spot his bit before completely pulling back as far as Markus' hands would let him so he could smirk up at his boyfriend. His very startled and confused boyfriend. You've got yourself a dragon, Markus. Get used to it. He just raised an expectant brow at the boy, waiting to see if his ploy had worked—and if Markus had anything else to say about that particular move.
"I-uh. Uh. What." Markus babbled, gaping like a fish as he looked down at Nikolas. Who couldn't move very far, since Markus was too out of it to loosen his hold on him. Way out of it. "We should g-get to the animals." He said suddenly, still not letting go of him. In fact, he drew him closer. "But uh. First. There any chance I-I can…convince ya t' do that again?"
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Nikolas blinked, confused and surprised. He hadn't expected Markus to, firstly, pull him closer after declaring that they needed to do something, and secondly ask for him to do it again. After his moment of processing, he grinned and tipped his head back to look up at Markus a little better. "Possibly," he murmured, then hooked an arm around the boy's neck to bring him down to his level and pressing his lips to the skin where Markus' neck met his shoulder. His teeth were quick to follow, biting down lightly but not so much that the pressure couldn't be felt.