Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Hey. Hey hey hey." Nico caught Zac's hand, gently insisting he turn to look at him. Giving him a serious look with those green eyes, he squeezed his hand. "Don't say you're 'just' anything or that you 'just' did anything. We all have choices to help, or not, and you made the choice. You took the time. You did what he couldn't. And for someone like my brother, that's -- that's everything. And it's everything to me." His smile was gentle, not trying to be flirty or overbearing, almost concerned. "You're not just anything. You're Zac, and you're pretty amazing." And just like that, the serious moment passed, though Nico didn't let go of the other's hand as he resumed walking.

"I only give what's earned," he glanced sidelong at Zac, starting to laugh. "You mentioned, but I'm not going to tell you not to say it again."

A brow arched, glancing over the teen's clothes. "Not allergic, no sir. Which is good, because we practically had a farm for a while. I miss having animals." Nico's eyes warmed, tilting his head. "What's your cat's name?"

Pale eyes softened, the green of them almost sage. "It's always easier. That's why I want to make sure you hear me. You're more than a sum of mistakes - you're a conglomeration of victories and triumphs, of the good you want to do. It's...hard to remember we're all just trying to make our way, sometimes."

His fingers threaded easily with Zac's, his hold gentle with plenty of room for the teen to pull away if he wanted. "Mogget! That's cute," he laughed, "and see? He has good taste in people too." Nico lifted a brow at the words almost said, but it was enough to give him a glow of having won the possibility of a second date. "I'd like that. Feline approval is very important. My sister has a cat, Papaya, I always threaten to catnap him. He's just this fat ball of gold and never stops purring."

He looked around as they entered an area he wasn't familiar with, quickly taking in landmarks and store names, and then his attention was wholly upon Zac again. "Don't worry, I wont freak out if you call it ice cream," he chuckled, "but they typically have what they call a 'cream' flavor. Ironic, huh? It doesn't sound appealing, but it has this," he lifted his free hand, circling his fingers as if trying to coax the words out, "this velvety taste, it's not strong - subtle, actually - but with the thickness of the gelato, it's kind of an experience."

Nico's thumb gently traced over Zac's as they walked. "You can share some of mine. They offer samples so you can get something you like for sure."

Nico made a strangled sound that turned into laughter, tickled by the idea. "So basically, I should be worried about being a man-sized cat tree? Thanks for the warning. I'll make sure to not wear black, then, or scream too much like a girl if his claws are really sharp."

Cinnamon. He made a mental note of that, though he wasn't sure what was safe to give a cat that had spice on it. He'd figure it out, though. "That's -- kind of precious, he's like, half crow? Collecting cinnamon instead of shinies?" Nico chuckled. "Tea? Like...iced tea?" He tilted his head, politely confused. "I don't know that I've, uh, really been exposed to it before, except at a Mongolian BBQ place back home that serves it."

He looked a little abashed at admitting his ignorance, but hey, if it meant Zac would be willing to take some control and confidence, he was all for it. When the teen explained, however, his brows lifted in open surprise. "Tonight?" he asked, just to make sure. "Or are we talking a second date?" Nico wanted to hear it, you're damn right he did, and he'd fish and play and tease until it was a thing.

"Yes," he replied immediately and simply, "to both. Date number two and a long night, I agree to both." Nico's crooked smile suggested Zac might have a harder time getting out of it now, giving their held hands a squeeze.

Amusement flooded his eyes, laughing softly. "A cranky brit? How'd you end up so sweet and kind? They did good with you, so they're good in my book." He mulled this information over, rubbing his chin thoughtfully with his free hand before nodding and shrugging. "We can do tea! Teach me all you know, I'll be your student, teacher's pet if you will~"

Nico couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head and lifting the hand he held to clasp it with his other hand. "Darling, you're dating a guy from California that you met less than an hour ago. There's nothing off limits here, alright? I just want to see you smile and have a good time, so ask whatever you want, we'll go wherever you want." He squeezed the hand between both of his, letting their clasped hands rest between them again.

He'd already gathered Zac was an orphan from that comment, and he wasn't sure how to ask about that. Somethings were more off limits than others and he didn't want to take the teen down a dark path when he just wanted to see the light of his smile. "As for tea, I'll give it my best shot. It's important to you, so I can learn for it to be important to me." It was easy to him. You make the people around you happy - nothing was more important.

"My family is huge," he started, smiling to Zac with a hope to put him at ease. "You know Lucas, he's the oldest. I have an older brother and sister, and a twin sister that I am older than," of course he had to throw that in there, "with three younger sisters and a baby brother. Luca raised us while our parents worked for us all, kept us honest. Mamãe and pai, they've been together since they were like, fifteen, I think. Married when she was eighteen. Still together, still happy. And don't get me started on my uncles, aunts, extended family," he made a mock-tired expression, "I don't think you have the time for me to paint that extensive tree."

Another playful smile formed, tilting his head to the side. "You get along with 'em? Your cranky Brits?" He chuckled; using that to describe someone's parents was definitely new. "You guys been here all that time - in Ashdown?"

And he was surprised, stunned, even, that Zac was so candid about his sad past. Maybe it wasn't so sad since he was young enough to form that attachment to the Brits, but it still made his chest feel tight. "Some people aren't fit to be parents," he agreed quietly, lifting Zac's hand again. This time, he kissed the back of his knuckles. "Not weird. I think you're kind of amazing for being so open about it."

Nico cast him a gentle smile, and resumed holding his hand normally.

"Mm, meeting the parents?" He laughed, easy and unfettered by the idea - at least, on the surface. Meeting cranky Brits, one that was apparently a detective and his adopted guardian, actually sounded scary as hell. Not that he had anything to hide, but it was still a bit intimidating as a possibility. "That can be arranged, if you want. They raised you, they gotta be good people."

"There is no 'bad at this,' and I'm gonna keep telling you that until you believe it." When Zac ducked into his hood, he lifted his free hand to gently trace the edge of the fabric, tilting his head to try and see the teen's shy look. "The problem is that I really am enjoying teasing. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, you're just really cute and sweet and I'm still not sure you're real."

Nico grinned, a warning he was back to teasing. "Just don't go running away with a glass slipper if it gets too late. I will find you, I am stubborn enough to stay if you're going to let me." As long as he could, anyway. Home was on the other side of the country, but it wasn't somewhere he needed to be.

He scoffed softly at the description of Alg. "Two grown men beating around the bush? Why? I mean, look at us!" Nico lifted their twined hands, his smile proud. "If something makes you happy, you should never deny yourself that feeling. We get it all too infrequently and who knows what tomorrow will bring?" He shrugged, squeezing Zac's hand and relaxing it between them again. "I'm not much of a reader, that never stuck with me. Too bad he doesn't write romance." It was a small teasing jab, shaking his head to himself. He never understood why people wouldn't just say what they meant to say, which was probably why he and Lucas butt heads so often.

"Exactly," Nico agreed, giving Zac a more tender smile, "and as long as we're not hurting each other, we're going to be okay. Your dads, though..." He 'tsk'ed softly, the way Lucas did sometimes. "Dreaming about what could be isn't the same as living it, you know? Books or otherwise."

The part about secrets was...interesting, especially given Lucas' behavior when he and Deacon had showed up. "I haven't been here long, but I'm -- you could say I'm computer savvy. I can see there's weird things going on here, I don't know to what extent, but it's enough to make Luca clam up and for you to say that, and...I'll respect it." He wore a small smile, though his brows were held in concern. "Promise me you'd say something if there was anything I could do? Even if it's just -- taking you to tea? That's all I ask. I know I can't solve the problems of the world, or pretend to know what's going on, but if there's a chance I can do something...I'd want to."

It was good to see Zac smiling, laughing -- more at ease. Nico smiled at Zac and playful, moved the teen's arm around his lower back, putting the hand he'd been holding against his side, which freed him to put his arm around Zac's shoulder. His heart felt a little heavy, knowing this guy he'd just met was in something involving his brother's secret. "Luca was really into comics, and he had some when I was growing up." He shrugged a little, comfortable with Zac tucked against his side. "I thought they were cool but didn't get to read much. I liked the art though. You into them?"